A carpet that lasts 20 years
starts with the underlay, not the pile.

Wool is a natural fibre — it is warm, resilient, takes colour well and lasts longer than synthetic under normal use. It also recovers better from compression, which is why high-quality wool carpets in a bedroom can look good for twenty years or more. Synthetic carpet is less expensive and more resistant to staining, which makes it a good choice for children's rooms and rental properties. Wool-blend (80/20 wool/synthetic) gives most of the performance of pure wool at a lower price.

Underlay is what the carpet rests on and what absorbs the impact of every footstep. Cheap underlay compresses within a few years — once it is flat, the carpet has no cushioning and wears at twice the rate. A quality underlay (minimum 8mm thick, good density) extends the life of the carpet significantly. The underlay also affects how warm and sound-absorbing the floor feels underfoot.

Both. We supply from our supplier accounts and bring samples to the visit. Or we will fit carpet you have already purchased — send us the product specification before the survey so we can confirm the correct underlay and fitting method.

Yes. Stairs are a specialist part of the job — gripper rod at every nosing, clean riser-to-tread transitions, and a width that works with the stair profile. Curved, winder and turned stairs require more cutting time than straight flights, which is reflected in the quote. We price stairs separately so you can see exactly what each element costs.

Power stretching uses a lever-action tool that spans the room and pulls the carpet tight before it is locked onto the gripper rod. A knee-kicker, used on its own, does not stretch the carpet sufficiently — within a few years the carpet relaxes, loosens and forms bubbles or wrinkles. We use a power stretcher on every room.

A typical London flat — three bedrooms, a hallway and stairs — is usually done in one day, sometimes one and a half. Subfloor preparation and gripper rod work is done first. The underlay and carpet follow. We will give you a specific timeline in the quote.

Yes — in most cases. We check the floorboards at the survey for squeaks, loose sections and structural concerns. Any problems are fixed before the underlay goes in. A noisy floorboard that is carpeted over without being fixed will still creak through the carpet — we address the cause, not the symptom.