Carpet question

I'm in the process of repainting and recarpeting our living room and dining room. The carpet underlay is 1/2" and appears to be in good shape. Can it be reused , or will the carpet place insist on new underlay and tack stirp? Anyone ever just put in new carpet ? We're selling the house in the next 24 months and I'm trying to do this on a budget. Thanks Warren

they will probably insist because they want to sell it to you, and generally the carpet warranty is voided without new pad. if it is in really good shape and you are really moving within 2 years i wouldnt feel too bad about leaving it

everyone leaves the tack strips unless they are messed up.

just did my newly enclosed back porch that is now a real room but i do not count because i am a remodeling and flooring contractor.

Thanks patgizz. Since you're a contractor I'll ask another question. I'm going to put new baseboard all around the room. What gap should be left between the bottom of the trim and the subfloor? I ripped out all the old trim and then thought about the gap !

carpenter's pencil laying flat.

leaves a nice size to tuck the carpet to.

LOL. Luckily, I have a couple of those pencils in the toolbox. Thanks

And remember the golden rule of flooring:

If you are going to have carpeting, make sure it matches the drapes ;)

Maybe that was a rule for something else...

John, you're a decorating guru, too? I bet you watch more HGTV than SPEED, too!

John Brown wrote: And remember the golden rule of flooring: If you are going to have carpeting, make sure it matches the drapes ;) Maybe that was a rule for something else...

I can live with mismatched drapes much more easily than I can live with a bare floor...