Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Estimating sises, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

The Work

In occupied buildings it may be necessary to remove furniture and fittings as well as existing floor coverings. It is also important to remove all traces of old adhesives. The carpet fitter will have to be able to discuss suitability of flooring with customers.  
 
The first consideration is the condition of the sub-floor, which must be flat, because any undulations or damage will soil the appearance of the floor covering.

The Carpet Fitter must ensure that the floor is flat and prepares a flat surface by spreading a layer of levelling compound. The next task is to measure the floor area, and measure and cut the material. It is usually cut slightly over-sise to allow for irregularities in the shape of the room.  
 
Certain types of carpet are stuck down with adhesive, which is evenly spread with a trowel or roller. Adhesives have to be handled carefully, and it may be necessary to wear a mask or even, in enclosed areas, to use a breathing apparatus.

The flooring material is laid to protrude up the skirting board and is cut by hand, with a carpet knife, round the perimeter, to give a snug fit. An alternative to adhesive is the use of a "gripper"- a piece of wood with upwardly protruding nails. The edges of the carpet may be sealed together with heated tape, or hand sewn. The simplest type of work a carpet fitter does involves the laying of carpet tiles. The main concern here being maintaining the 'bond', i.e. laying the tiles straight.  
 
Laying carpet with a repeating pattern can be complicated. The appearance of fitted carpet is extremely important, and it may be necessary to stretch it to give a good fit, using special equipment. Sometimes a plain border is fitted around a patterned carpet, and doing this neatly is a highly skilled job.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect the surface to be covered to determine its condition, and correct any imperfections that might show through carpet or cause carpet to wear unevenly.
• Roll out, measure, mark, and cut carpeting to sise with a carpet knife, following floor sketches and allowing extra carpet for final fitting.
• Join edges of carpet and seam edges where necessary, by sewing or by using tape with glue and heated carpet iron.
• Cut and trim carpet to fit along wall edges, openings, and projections, finishing the edges with a wall trimmer.
• Plan the layout of the carpet, allowing for expected traffic patterns and placing seams for best appearance and longest wear.
• Stretch carpet to align with walls and ensure a smooth surface, and press carpet in place over tack strips or use staples, tape, tacks or glue to hold carpet in place.
• Take measurements and study floor sketches to calculate the area to be carpeted and the amount of material needed.
• Install carpet on some floors using adhesive, following prescribed method.
• Clean up before and after installation, including vacuuming carpet and discarding remnant pieces.
• Measure, cut and install tackless strips along the baseboard or wall.

Further Information

• Carpet/Vinyl Fitter - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Carpet Fitters are employed in both the domestic and commercial carpet industry. Applications can be made directly to employers, such as retail carpet shops, carpet showrooms, and carpet manufacturers.  
 
Training is normally provided on the job, working alongside an experienced Carpet Fitter. Some employers may run short training courses on their own premises covering specialist areas. Being able to drive with a full B or C license will be beneficial, carrying equipment & materials between work places. 

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Construction & Engineering skills in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Sales, Carpentry, Construction skills & studies at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales, Allied Trades & Construction Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management, Sustainable construction methods NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €45k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor/ payscale / Payscale.com/ WRC

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment growth was just above average over the five-year period for this occupation, with employment levels seeing little change since 2022.

A small number of employment permits were issued for furniture makers and upholsterers, having been recently removed from the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits, with a small volume of DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy posts also relating to these roles.

An increased focus on the circular economy may lead to future demand for at least some of these roles (e.g. furniture makers), although the numbers involved are likely to be small.

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The National Guild of Master Craftsmen

  • 3 Greenmount Lane Harold's Cross Dublin 12
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here