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calikym That's exactly what makes sense to me. He also told me to paint it after, which also makes no sense. I trust him but....OMG!

Ironwood Builders We always set our baseboards first and finish paint them. Set 1/2" above the sub-floor so that the carpet can be tucked tightly under it. Any paint touch up is set up in advance with the painter. Your contractor's point about the tack strip is correct. Carpet installers place the tack strip at the perimeter of the floor....no baseboard means next to the drywall...then the baseboard is set on top of the tack strip. When you go to replace the carpet, you are replacing the baseboard too. Generally? Second guessing the guy that does this every day is counter productive, especially if the contractor has gotten this far with you happy.

calikym He is very good but I'm also spending big $. I can't make mistakes and just the baseboards alone will be nearly $2K. Good point about the tack strip. Makes sense.

Ironwood Builders Have a discussion about the need to fix any damage that might occur and your misgivings. If he is the contractor you have come to know, he will take responsibility for the outcome. Communication is harder at this stage as money becomes tight...but it is probably tight for him too. Have that talk.

K.O.H. Construction Corporation Ironwood is 100% correct. Good carpet layers are careful and minor scuffs are easily repaired.

Da Vinci Remodeling, LLC Like Ironwood said - Baseboards first, paint second, carpet third!

Regarding the concern that the carpet installers could damage the baseboards, there is also the concern the baseboard installer and/or painter could damage the carpet. I personally would rather replace a section of baseboard than a room/house full of carpet. When possible - minimize the risk.

calikym Thanks to the builders and contractors for setting me straight, too. Houzz is the perfect forum for this! I would have guessed that baseboards would be done after carpet installation, too, which I why I asked the question. Thanks for the understanding. I wonder if I should tell my contractor, Daman, that I questioned his advice. ???? Maybe not. :/

benniebonita You were right to you've just learnt something KNOWLEDGE
Pass it on : ) good luck with house

Susan Flowers Be sure your baseboards are done and have 2 quality coats of paint before carpets...our contractor just slapped a coat of basically primer on ours...are you painting the baseboards? You said he told YOU to paint them after...if so, I would prime and first coat before installation....we recently replaced the crappy pine builders trim throughout the house....the cost to upgrade trim is so little, it's really all labor..it's a massive job, but I like white molding and I primed and painted, then installed and added final coat.

Da Vinci Remodeling, LLC Calikym, That’s why we’re here (insert big thumbs-up here). You should tell your contractor that some of the best contractors in the world confirmed his method and that you will never question him again (insert big laughing smiley face here).

Paul

Susan Flowers When I have replaced carpet, I always remove the carpet myself for the express purpose of cleaning, fixing any nicks to baseboards, or touching up paint while there is no carpet...I've never had an installer mark up the baseboards... it sucks to paint baseboards with carpet in.

kcfloor Raised painted baseboard is the way to go,,installed miles of it. A good installer will know how far back to nail the smoothedge in. When comes time to replace carpet, no need to touch the base.

karen paul interiors Ironwood is 100% correct if you are doing new baseboards...and you are. In the order of difficulty and so as to minimize damage on your most expensive investment: baseboards, paint, carpet and then touch-up.