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Carpet fitter and floor layer

Alternative titles for this job include Flooring fitter

Carpet fitters and floor layers fit carpets and vinyl tiles, and lay laminate and solid timber floors.

Average salary (a year)

£17,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

45 to 47 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a carpet fitter and floor layer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional body

College

You can do a college course like a T level for Floorlayers.

Entry requirements

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can start by doing a floorlayer intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a carpet fitter and floor layer. Employers will expect you to have practical skills and be good with numbers.

Other Routes

You can do courses through a professional body such as The Flooring Industry Training Association. This may help you to find work as a trainee with a carpet fitting and floor laying company.

More Information

Further information

You can find more details about training and working in carpet fitting and floor laying from Go Construct and The Flooring Industry Training Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of maths
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job you will:

  • measure floor space and estimate the amount of materials needed
  • clear away furniture and take off doors
  • remove old flooring
  • clean, level and seal the work area
  • glue or nail underlay and floor coverings
  • stretch carpet over spiked gripper rods and taping
  • heat-seal joins and edges on vinyl flooring
  • spray or wax floor coverings to give them a protective coating
  • use fast-track flooring systems
  • put furniture back and trim and re-hang doors

Working environment

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team supervisor, estimator or contracts manager.

You could move into other areas like buying and product sales.

You could also set up your own business, laying carpets and installing floors.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

ATA Floor Laying Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £144.30 Weekly
  • Location: Bristol

Apprentice Floorlayer

  • Wage: To be agreed upon appointment Unspecified
  • Location: Waltham Abbey
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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