Before pulling up old carpet, it will be necessary to unscrew or remove any trim or transition strips like this wood one that overlaps a wood floor and carpet seam.

Removing carpet can be a relatively easy job, as long as it has not been glued to the floor.

Step 1: Use a pair of pliers and pull back one corner of the carpet. It may be necessary to remove the trim molding along the baseboards if the carpet is tucked too tightly beneath it.

Step 2: Work your way around the perimeter of the room, pulling the carpet back from the tack strip.

Step 3: If the carpet is not in a condition to be reused, use a linoleum knife or utility knife with a hook blade to cut the carpet into 18- to 36-inch strips. Cut the strips starting along the longest wall, so you are left with a fewer number of strips.

Step 4: Roll the carpet up tightly and secure the bundles with duct tape or twine to keep them from unrolling.

Step 5: Next you will need to remove the padding, unless you plan on reusing the padding beneath new carpet. Cut the pad into workable strips just like the carpet and roll it up tightly, securing it with duct tape or twine. Moisture spilled on a carpet tends to seep through and make the padding stick to the floor. If this is the case, use a floor scrapper or putty knife to scrape the padding from the floor. Dampening the stuck carpet pad with a little water may also facilitate its removal. When pulling the pad up, leave the nails or staples, holding it down behind.

Step 6: Once the carpet and pad has been removed, use a pry bar and hammer to remove the carpet tack strip along the walls. Wearing heavy leather gloves will protect your hands from the sharp tacks and allow you to break the strips into smaller pieces. Place the strips directly into the trash can or a cardboard box and dispose of them properly. Do not attempt to use old tack strip to lay new carpet.

Step 7: Use a nail puller, hammer and pliers to remove any nails or staples left in the floor. A nail set and hammer can also be used to set the nail heads below the floor surface when necessary.

Once the carpet, pad and tack strips have been removed, sweep up the floor, put away your tools and make plans for stage two of your floor refinishing project, whatever that may be.