How to Remove Old Carpet and Prepare the Subfloor for New Flooring
Carpet removal is the least glamorous but most physically accessible DIY flooring project. Most flooring installers charge $1 to $2 per square foot for carpet removal as an add-on to their installation quote. Removing the carpet yourself before the installer arrives saves $150 to $400 on a typical room and gives you control over the disposal timeline. You need no special skills — just work gloves, a utility knife, contractor trash bags, and a willingness to do dirty physical work.
Removing the Carpet
Start in a corner, using pliers to pull up the carpet edge from the tack strips around the perimeter. Once you have a section free, cut the carpet into manageable strips — 12 to 18 inches wide works well for rolling and carrying. Roll each strip as you cut it, securing with tape or twine, and carry it directly to your disposal area. Carpet is heavy when rolled in large sections; cut it small enough to carry without strain. Carpet padding comes up more easily and is usually stapled rather than tacked — pull it up and dispose of it separately.
Removing Tack Strips
Tack strips — narrow strips of wood with nails embedded at a diagonal — run around the perimeter of the room. Use a flat pry bar to pop them up, working the bar under the strip and prying upward. Wear gloves and dispose of tack strips carefully — the nails are very sharp. If you’re installing carpet again, you may be able to leave existing tack strips in place if they’re intact and the new carpet dimensions are the same.
Subfloor Preparation
After the carpet and pad are out, inspect the subfloor carefully. Loose or squeaky boards should be secured with screws. Any areas showing discoloration or soft spots indicating moisture damage must be investigated — damaged subfloor material must be replaced before new flooring goes down. Remove all staples from the pad installation. Sand down any remaining adhesive. Sweep and vacuum thoroughly before your installer arrives or before beginning your own installation.
