Tips for Stretching Carpet

Rent Proper Tools

• Rent the proper tools from your local hardware store. A power stretcher will help you do most of the stretching, or you can get a "knee kicker" to stretch tight areas the power stretcher can't reach. Rent a carpet cutter as well, which is better for cutting carpet edges than a utility knife. Ask a hardware store representative for help on how to use these tools.

Start at the Wall Center

• Start at the center of the wall when you are using the power stretcher, and stretch at intervals of about a foot and a half. Hook the carpet to a tack strip before you start stretching to keep it in place.

Use the Knee Kicker in Tight Spaces

• Use the knee kicker around cabinets and in corners. Use the tool's teeth to dig into the carpet, and push the kicker with your knee to stretch the carpet, and then hook it into the tack.

Trim the Carpet with the Right Tools

• Use a carpet cutter instead of a utility knife to trim the carpet near the baseboards into nice, neat edges when you have finished stretching the carpet. You can use the utility knife to trim the corners and built-ins.

Get Professional Help

• Call in professional help. Carpet stretching is a quick job for a professional, and often takes no more than an hour depending on the size of the carpet that needs stretching. Companies typically charge about 50 cents per square foot, depending on the quality of the carpet. Before hiring, ask them if they include moving furniture and if they guarantee their work.