Household carpet installers?

[Dav L]

DIY. then you can monitor the quality control.
Carpet isn't bad in an RV to install. Just use the take out carpet as a template and cut a little bigger and trim once tacked into place.
Hardwood is a little more of a challenge. That's next on mine.

[richard5933]

Household installers can do the job, but you don't want to be the test model.

Go to a locally owned carpet store and ask for a referral. You're looking for a certified installer that has experience with motor homes and specialized projects. They'll likely have a few options for you.

[windsorbill]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Household installers can do the job, but you don't want to be the test model.

Go to a locally owned carpet store and ask for a referral. You're looking for a certified installer that has experience with motor homes and specialized projects. They'll likely have a few options for you.

How do they become a "certified installer"?

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by windsorbill

How do they become a "certified installer"?

A good friend of mine is a carpet installer and has been for decades. Like any trade, they have a trade organization that offers training and different certifications. Many of the newer flooring products require specialized training to install, and many flooring manufacturers won't honor their warranty if the install was not done by someone trained in the proper installation methods.

My friend actually travels around the country helping to lead the training seminars for installers. These seminars are where installers gain their certifications.

Here's one of the organizations that does this type of thing: https://cfiinstallers.org/

Does having a certified installer guarantee a good install? Of course not. But, it at least gives you a degree of comfort knowing that the installer has gone through some training and showed a level of competence.

My friend the installer did our coach, and it's clear that it was not a project for a beginner or untrained guy. From talking with him, every installer usually has a few areas they specialize in beyond the normal carpet installations. You want to find one with the proper skill set to get things done right.

[Domo]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

A skilled carpet & flooring guy will be able to do an RV - it's just a painstaking chore with lots of fit & cut and no opportunity to just roll out an easy section. That makes the labor cost per sq ft higher than typical for a house job, though. They may charge on a time & materials basis rather than the more typical sq ft or per room basis often quoted for houses and offices.

Conversely, the hacks who get hired by bargain carpet outlets rarely have the skills or patience to deal with the nooks and crannys of an RV. Those guys would probably turn down an RV job anyway - too much work for too little pay.


You also need to think more about the details than you probably would in a house. For example, what about carpet or flooring around the captains chairs, entry steps, a doghouse (gas coaches), and maybe some places where carpet goes partway up a wall. If you want all those areas done to match, it is considerably more work than just the main floor and slides.Also consider that you may want some different material in/around where the foot pedals are at the driver seat.

Gary - well said - there are hackers in every industry and trade. Anyone contracting for work does have to do basic due diligence to make sure the tradesman has basic competence and can inspire the customer with confidence.

[TMyers17]

Find a carpet installer that does stairs. Treads and risers covered in carpet is very detailed work. If they can do stairs and make them look good, they can do an RV.