Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Carpet/Vinyl Fitter- from: Youtube Search
- Carpet Fitter- from: YouTube Video
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.
Working Life
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 Fitter-Floor Layer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Carpet/Vinyl Fitter
Practical hand skills are necessary for accurate fitting and cutting of materials.
Carpet Fitters require basic numeric skills for measuring, and an appreciation of design is useful, particularly for laying and matching patterned carpet. Good colour vision is also important.
Physical fitness is essential as Carpet Fitters spend much of the working day on their hands and knees, and they need to be able to lift and carry rolls and boxes of flooring material.
You must be efficient and reliable as others will be waiting on your work to finish.
A courteous and pleasant manner is required when dealing with clients. Carpet Fitters often face situations on building sites, where other trades people, such as electricians or carpenters, are trying to finish their work at the same time. Handling this requires tact and flexibility.
Carpet Fitters also need to be able to co-operate with others in their team, as they normally work in pairs, but may work in groups on larger jobs.
Interests - Carpet/Vinyl Fitter
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.
Entry / Progression - Carpet/Vinyl Fitter
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.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: construction, engineering.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: sales, carpentry, construction.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Sales, Construction Apprenticeships.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: sales, business, management, sustainable construction.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: sales, business, management, sustainable construction.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Pay & Salary - Carpet/Vinyl Fitter
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
Labour Market Updates - Carpet/Vinyl Fitter
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Weavers and knitters; Upholsterers; Footwear and leather working trades; Tailors and dressmakers Textiles; garments and related trades n.e.c.; Pre-press technicians; Printers Print finishing and binding workers; Glass and ceramics makers; decorators and finishers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers; Florists Other skilled trades n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.
Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.
Useful Contacts - Carpet/Vinyl Fitter
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Construction Industry Federation
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The National Guild of Master Craftsmen
- 3 Greenmount Lane Harold's Cross Dublin 12
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- [email protected]
- Click Here
