Before the fitter arrives
Clear the room as much as possible. Most fitters will move heavier furniture but expect small items, ornaments and breakables to be removed by you. Make sure there is clear access to the room and somewhere to put removed furniture temporarily.
What the fitter does
The fitter will first remove and dispose of any old carpet and underlay (if included in the quote). They will check and prepare the subfloor, secure or replace gripper rods around the perimeter, lay and secure the underlay, then cut and stretch the new carpet over the grippers. Finally they will trim door bars and edges to a neat finish.
How long does it take?
A single bedroom takes 1–2 hours. A lounge with furniture moving takes 2–3 hours. A full 3-bed house upstairs — three bedrooms, landing and stairs — is typically a full day's work for one fitter. Two fitters halve the time.
What to check when done
Walk the edges checking the carpet is firmly secured to all grippers. Check door clearance — doors should close without dragging. Check seams if the room is too wide for a single carpet width — they should be tight and ideally run away from the main light source.