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Although most installers will remove furnishings from the room, you should remove all breakable items-like vases, lamps, collectibles, and dishes-before the installer arrives. You should detach wiring from TVs, VCRs, stereos, and computers. You should also clear desktops, tabletops, and bookshelves.

 The complimentary removal of furniture is often limited to those items that two men can easily handle. Some retailers may charge an additional fee for large, cumbersome items, including pianos, pool tables, aquariums, and oversized furniture. All of these items may vary by retailer and you will need to verify this with them before installation.

 Some doors may need trimming to accommodate the thickness of your new flooring. Doors that do not open and close properly due to the new floor may be removed during installation, and it will be up to you to have the doors cut and re-hung.

It may be necessary to remove moldings and reattach them during installation. Because some moldings, particularly quarter round, are fragile, breakage could occur. If it does, you will be responsible for replacing them. Scratches or nicks to baseboards are also a possibility, and you will be responsible for the touchups. Shaw's revolutionary soft carpet backing, SoftBac, virtually eliminates damage to walls and baseboards during installation.

Professional installers aren't typically skilled in plumbing or electrical work. They will remove appliances from the room to install your flooring under or around them, but they do not typically disconnect or reconnect gas, water, or direct-wired appliances. Most installers also won't disconnect computer systems.

All sheets, blankets, and spreads should be removed from beds before the installers arrive. All items from the tops of dressers and from closet floors should also be cleared.

All floor coverings need to be installed over a structurally sound and properly installed subfloor. Any wood that has been damaged by insects, water, or other factors should be repaired prior to carpet installation.

 Installers provide the know-how, the equipment, and the muscle; you provide the power. Installers will need to use your power for their electrical tools, and they will typically use such areas as porches or patios to store equipment.

 Either the night before or the morning of your installation, vacuum the old carpet to minimize the airborne dust and particles that removing it will cause.