Here is the situation. House is empty. Owners/neighbors/friends of mine moved out and now want to replace all the carpeting AND refinish the hardwood floors( Sanding, staining, finishing several coats) as well as clean all the windows. Second floor is all carpet. The first floor has hardwoods in kitchen, LR, DR, and hallway. First floor also has one bedroom to carpet and a very large den to carpet. When asked about the sequence I figured that it would be wise to do the hardwood floors first, to get all the dust and whatever done with, then the carpet. However, the GC/flooring guy who is handling this job says the carpet should be installed first. His reasoning is that if the wood floors are done first, then there is the risk that carpet layers might scratch the wood floors with tack strips, nails, etc, so he feels that the carpeting should be done first.

Thoughts?