Anyone who’s been in the construction business a couple of weeks has heard contractors or homeowners complain about a carpet installer who scratched-up their new wood baseboard when installing the carpet. Most installers like to have the base installed first, so they know exactly where to put the tack strip. This also makes sure that if you happen to be the installer who replaces the job down the road, you won’t have to worry about the base making tear–out difficult.

Here’s an easy solution to help minimize damage: If the base is clear–coated wood, (dark woods such as walnut show scratches the worst) just take an hour or so and run 2 inch blue tape along the bottom of the trim. Leave about 1/4 inch of the wood exposed at the bottom so you don’t have to fight the carpet to remove the tape. It’s also a good idea to apply the tape several inches up the door jambs and newel posts if the carpet is likely to come in contact with them as you’re laying it in. If you’re worried about the extra time, talk to the contractor or homeowner first and explain the risks. I have yet to find a customer who wasn’t willing to pay an extra hour’s labor to save thousands of dollars in wood work. I actually have one contractor who uses only me now, simply because on the first job I installed for him, I took the time to tape-off his expensive wood trim.

Save the trim, (and your reputation.) It will pay-off in the long run.