Carpet Fitter
What you'd actually do
The job involves measuring rooms, preparing floors, cutting and fitting carpet, vinyl or laminate, and finishing edges so everything looks clean and tidy. It takes accuracy, a good eye and physical fitness, as you spend a lot of time kneeling, lifting heavy rolls and working in tight spaces.
You will often travel between jobs, work in people's homes, and may be self-employed or work for a flooring firm or retailer. The work can be hard on the knees and back, pay varies with skill and how busy you are, and self-employed fitters carry the ups and downs of finding their own work.
Most fitters learn on the job alongside an experienced tradesperson or through an apprenticeship, building up speed and skill over time. A CSCS card is often needed for work on building sites, and a driving licence is usually essential.