Carpet fitter

How to become a carpet fitter?

There are no set qualifications required to become a carpet fitter. You could study at college or follow an apprenticeship as a floor layer, or you could apply directly to an employer. 

You should explore these routes of becoming a carpet fitter to find the right one for you. Although some options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are  interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions. 

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.  

College/training provider 

There are no specific courses to help you become a carpet fitter, however you could gain relevant skills by completing a college course such as:  

• Level 1 Award in Flooring Operations 
• Basic Construction Skills (with flooring options).  

You’ll need at least two GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent. 

> Equivalent entry requirements explained 

> Find a course near you 

> Funding advice 

Apprenticeship 

You could complete an intermediate apprenticeship as a floor layer and then find work as a carpet fitter. 

You may need GCSEs (including English and maths) or equivalent to do an apprenticeship, but not all employers ask for formal qualifications. 

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you’ll be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.  

> Find an apprenticeship near you 

> Guide to apprenticeships 

Work 

If you have good practical skills or experience in another trade, you could apply directly to a specialist company to gain experience as a carpet fitter. Your employer may support you through any required training. 

Work experience 

You could gain work experience at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a carpet fitter. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV. 

> Find out more about work experience  

Skills  

Additional skills which could benefit anyone considering a job as a carpet fitter include:  

• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. 
• Ability to work well on your own 
• Confident at maths 
• Good attention to detail 
• Good customer service skills 

What does a carpet fitter do?

As a carpet fitter, you will be responsible for laying new carpets or vinyl in rooms, hallways and stairs of varying shapes and sizes. 

The job role of a carpet fitter involves the following duties:  

• Measuring up rooms and drawing up plans by hand or digitally 
• Estimating the amount of materials needed for the job and ordering them 
• Pre-cutting carpets before taking them onsite 
• Clearing furniture and removing doors 
• Removing old flooring and cleaning the area 
• Securing underlay and flooring in place, using appropriate fixings 
• Stretching carpet over gripper rods and taping 
• Making sure that the carpet pile and patterns match across any joins 
• Trimming carpet to fit around door frames and corners 
• Working in clients’ homes or businesses. 

How much could you earn as a carpet fitter?

The expected salary for a carpet fitter varies as you become more experienced. 

• Newly trained carpet fitters can earn in the region of £14,000 
• Experienced carpet fitters can earn up to £30,000* 
• Self-employed carpet fitters set their own pay rates. 

Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do. 

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources and have been updated as of 2019

Check out the latest carpet fitter vacancies:  

• Indeed 
• Totaljobs 

As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role will vary. New jobs will be posted as they come up. 

Career path and progression

As a carpet fitter, you could progress to become a team leader or supervisor, or go into estimating, contract management or buying. 

Alternatively, you could set yourself up as self-employed.