new wall over existing carpet?

11 years ago

We are planning on putting a new wall up in a very open space with existing carpeting. One contractor suggested putting the studs on top of the existing carpet which sounds strange to us. If it is reasonable we would not have to redo the carpet? Any experience with something like this would be appreciated. What happens when you have to replace the carpet in a few years?

Featured Answer

lascatx

11 years ago

If your carpet is in good shape, you don't need to replace it to not have it under the new wall. It sounds like your contractor is telling you that you do. Nope. The framers can just make a straight cut and the midline of the new wall and roll back the carpet on either side a bit to keep it out of the way and cover your pad so it doesn't get torn up (assuming it is stuck down and won't roll with the carpet). After the wall is in place, a carpet guy can put down new tack strips, stretch and secure the carpet in place on either side of the wall. Only tough part might being finding someone who will do a small job like that since your contractor doesn't know what he's talking about. Flooring company or carpet cleaning company might be the best places to start looking. I had to do a carpet patch and found a fireman who did the small jobs on his days off. Worked out great.

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Comments (8)

live_wire_oak
11 years ago
'That's not a contractor I would trust or use. If he's suggesting something so half arsed to your face, there's no telling what he'd do behind your back. On to the next estimate.
snoonyb
11 years ago
"One contractor suggested putting the studs on top of the existing carpet which sounds strange to us."

While this practice is more prevelant when walls are placed over glue-down carpet, where padding is omitted, where you need to weigh the cost in labor involved with cutting the carpet, placing additional tack strip and restreching the carpet.

Your choice.

"If it is reasonable we would not have to redo the carpet?"

When you do decide to replace the carpet it is simply a matter of cutting along the base molding on either side.
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Annie Deighnaugh
11 years ago
Never heard of such a thing and I'd run from this contractor right away.
User
11 years ago
That is done a lot in mobile homes---where carpet and pad(if any) are very thin.

It is NOT a decent technique---it is strictly a cost cutting step. If the carpet and pad are thicker than 1/2", it is not a structurally good idea as well.

Would not be much more labor to lay out the bottom plate(the bottom horizontal board of a wall) and cit out the carpet/pad and nail the plate to the subfloor as usual.

You are aware that all the construction being done---framing/sheet rock/finishing---is very likely going to damage the existing carpet anyway?
Jumpilotmdm
11 years ago
I guess this guy also installs towel bars in a bathroom without locating the studs?
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Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
11 years ago
I guess this guy also installs towel bars in a bathroom without locating the studs?

Don't they all?
millworkman
11 years ago
Not all chris, just most(not jump though) as that is one of the reason the make drywall anchors. smh.....