JoeJoe wrote:
- How far from the skirting should the wooden gripper rods be fitted?

The same distance as the thickness of the carpet.


The
new carpet goes in two rooms - one with "normal" skirting and the other with
skirting that was fixed around 3/4" above the floor (not sure why, was there
when I got it),

Perhaps the floor's dropped.


so I fixed a quarter round/circle bidding to the bottom of
it to cover the void. Should the rooms be treated differently as a result -
i.e. should I fit the grippers further or closer to the skirting?

That's not going to work terribly well. You would have done
better to re-do the skirtings, or fill the gap with batten.


- Can I assume that once the gripper rods are in place I simply unroll the
underlay in the space in the middle, butting it against the rods?

Yup. You don't want big gaps, but you don't want to have to
ruckle the stuff up to get it in, it should lie flat.


Also,
stupid question, I know, but which side goes up? The underlay I use is
similar to this one http://www.underlayuk.co.uk/luxury.php

Smooth side up.


- Does the underlay need to be fixed to the wooed floor once laid? i.e.
carpet tacks, etc.

You could put some staples in, and tape the joins, but this is
something the fitter can do very quickly. If you do put tacks
in, make sure they're "home" or you'll get pimples in your
carpet. I'd just leave it up to the fitter.



PS: the carpet is a cheapish felt back one if that makes a difference.

These are often glued straight to the floor (around the
edges)! It's reasonable carpet for the price, should be fine
with the underlay as well.