It’s not difficult to do it yourself to save some money.

It can get challenging to create seams between two butting pieces of carpet.

A tight-fitting, professional-looking seam uses a double-cutting approach to match the two edges perfectly.

Hands pressing down a carpet seam on a textured carpet.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

It’s easy toremove carpetby pulling back about 3 feet of carpet at a time.

Cut along the fold.

Work with smaller 3-foot carpet strips; they’re not as heavy and awkward to manage.

Various carpet installation tools laid out on wooden floor.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Roll them up and secure them with duct tape.

confirm that the pile is facing the same direction in both pieces.

If you are unsure, check the back of the carpet for arrows indicating the direction of the pile.

Hands measuring carpet edge with a yellow tape measure.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Measure and Cut From the Backside

Replace the utility knife blade regularly throughout the process.

Have replacement blades on hand before you get started.

As you work, inspect the blade for knicks along the edge of the blade.

Hands snapping a chalk line onto the back of carpet.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Cutting through the top layer and backing will dull the knife.

Knicks in the blade cause fraying.

Slide the pry bar underneath the tack strip and pop the strips off the subflooring.

Hands positioning a straightedge for carpet cutting.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

When to Call a Professional

Carpet installationparticularly seamingcan be tricky for DIYers, especially beginners.

A utility knife or carpet knife is your go-to tool for cutting carpet.

Pause every few feet to check that your edge remains straight.

Hand peeling back carpet to reveal seam tape underneath.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Change the blade once it dulls.

The best tool for cutting carpet is a utility knife with a sharp, fresh blade.

Hands using a blue seam iron on carpet tape.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Hands pressing a heated seam iron on a carpet seam.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Hands pressing a heated seam iron on a carpet seam.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Hand cutting carpet with a utility knife along a seam.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Hand cutting carpet backing on a textured carpet surface.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Hand using pliers to pull carpet material.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Hand removing carpet tack from wooden subfloor.

The Spruce /Kevin Norris

Hand cleaning subfloor with a dustpan and brush.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris