baseboardbasementcarpetdoor-framedoors
We just had a carpet layer come in for measurements and a quote. We've not put in the baseboard or door casings yet, but the carpet layer has suggested that this will make things easier.
Is this true / good advice? Are there any pitfalls to watch for when we go to install the door casings / baseboard?
Assuming you want to do this right and don't mind a little elbow grease.
Remove the ceramic tile, and strip the floor down to the bare concrete. Technically you don't have to do this, but not doing it is, IMO, just lazy. Building up the floor is convenient but not the best work you can do.
Now that you're down to bare concrete, install Dri-Core tiles or something similar for subflooring, making sure you add ventilation as per manufacturer instructions. This product protects itself from moisture (except in a flood of course) and will likewise protect the tile from small moisture accumulations.
There are a number of interlocking carpet tile products available that allow you to do a floating style installation.
The grout question is a non issue if you remove the ceramic, as you should.
Installation instructions depend on the exact model of "electronic door lock" you purchase.
Most of the low-cost/self-contained units install into a standard cylindrical-lock bore (ie, in place of the normal knobset and/or deadbolt), occasionally with another hole or two to anchor them firmly in place. That's an easy retrofit.
Commercial-type units, where the electronics is separate from the door hardware, are more complicated.
Best Answer
It makes it easier for the carpet installer because they don't have the baseboards in the way when they're nailing in the tack strips next to the wall.
On the other hand, it makes things a little more difficult to install the baseboard later because the carpet and tack strips are in the way when you're trying to nail the baseboard to the sole plate in the wall. This is much more of an issue if you're nailing by hand than if you're using a brad nailer. (I've done it both ways; use a nailer.) If you're doing a long wall, it can make lining up the pieces of baseboard a little trickier because the tack strip and carpet can get in the way.
On the whole though, I'd follow his advice and use a nailer to install the trim.