Step1
Collect the following: tackless strips, stapler, hammer, utility knife or carpet knife, chalk line, measuring tape, knee kicker, power stretcher, seam cutter, wall trimmer, stair tool, seam tape, seam iron, work gloves and safety glasses.

Step2
Prepare the room by making sure the floor is clean and clear of anything that might create a lump in your new carpeting (old staples, etc). It's also a good idea to take off the doors so it will be easier to move the carpet into the room.

Step3
Install tackless strips around the perimeter of the room (except in front of doorways) 1/2 inch from the wall--be sure the strips meet at the corners and the tacks are pointing towards the wall.

Step4
Install your carpet underlay in strips and staple it in place. Butt the edges of the underlay together (don't overlap them). Trim away the excess underpad along the inside edge of the tackless strips, ensuring the tacks are exposed.

Step5
Measure your room at its longest point and add at least 4 inches to that measurement.

Step6
Layout your carpet (outside or on a garage floor) where you have room to work, and mark the back of the carpet on both edges with your room measurement.

Step7
Use a chalk line to join the two marks and then with a utility or carpet knife cut the carpet to length (cut from the backside).

Step8
Bring the carpet into the room, roll it out and "dry fit" it.

Step9
If your room is wide enough to need another piece of carpet, follow the same process, measure, layout, mark and trim, then bring the carpet into the room and place so it overlaps the existing piece by about 2 inches. Be sure the grain of the carpet is running the same way.

Step10
Use a seam cutter to cut through both pieces of carpet (at the same time)--this will ensure you have edges that line.

Step11
Cut a piece of seaming tape and center it under the two pieces of carpet, adhesive side up.

Step12
Heat the seam iron to temperature and run it slowly along the seam, allowing the adhesive to melt and join the edges. Put some weight onto the seam until the adhesive has dried.

Step13
Attach the carpet to the tackles strips by placing the knee kicker about 3 inches from the wall and driving your knee forcefully into the padded end. This will stretch the carpet over the tackless strip that will grab and hold it in place.

Step14
Trim along the wall with an edge trimmer (cuts through the carpet right at the wall).

Step15
Attach the carpet on the opposite side of the room using the power stretcher to fasten it to the tackless strips.

Step16
Trim away any excess; then, using the stair tool tuck the carpet under the exposed baseboard.

Step17
Trim the carpet at the doorway, install a door edge, cut vent openings and install the shoe molding on the baseboard.