If you are looking to save some pennies during the 'Crunchy Credit' but have committed to having carpet laid over floorboards, here are the Home and Decorating Magazine top tips to doing-part-of-it-yourself and preparing for the carpet fitter.

1. Replace and repair any broken floorboards
2. Secure any wobbly or creaky floorboards. Be careful to check what's underneath (i.e. pipes and cables) before you screw that 3" screw through the boards. Use screws of a suitable length, a rule of thumb is to allow 2/3 of the length into the joist and 1/3 the depth of the board.
3. Fix skirting boards. If you are undertaking a full renovation, you may (like me) have beautifully cut and angled skirting boards, just resting up against the walls for months, waiting to be grip-filled to the walls or to warp, whichever is soonest. Remember to fill along the top and joints of the skirting boards with flexible decorator's caulk/filler and then paint the skirting boards - at least with your base coat. You probably will have to touch-up the paint in places after the carpet fitter has finished.
4. Assuming your floorboards are uneven (like mine) you need to provide a flat (not necessarily level) surface for the underlay and carpet to sit on. I used hardboard sheets from B&Q (approx £2.08 each).
   • Lay the sheets out on the floor, shiny side down and try to get the best fit you can with the least wastage without the joints all lining up.
   • The best and strongest pattern is 'brick bond' - you may even find this adds stability to your floor.
   • Using annulised ring nails, nail down the boards at 10cm centres. You can also use staples if you have a powerful-enough staple gun.
5. Stand back and admire

If you have other tips for getting your floors ready for carpeting, then please add them in the comments below.

Thumbnail image MaryJane by Flowery *L*u*z*a* via Flickr.
Main image by alexbrn via Flickr