Replacing a carpet is one of those jobs that looks simple until you are standing there with a rolled-up strip of old underlay, a heavy offcut, a bit of gripper rod, and a small mountain of dust.

If you live in a Hackney terrace, a converted flat, or one of those beautiful older London homes where the staircase seems to have been designed for a different era, you already know the challenge: getting carpet cleaning done without turning the hallway into a juggling act.

If you have ever dropped a spoonful of curry on a sofa, rug, or carpet, you already know the feeling: the bright yellow mark, the creeping smell of turmeric, and that tiny moment of panic before it sinks in.

If you've ever compared cleaning prices and felt that uneasy little pause - what exactly is included here? - you're in the right place.

If you've just spilled red wine on a light carpet, had a pet accident before guests arrive, or discovered a soaking wet patch after a leak, you do not need a lecture-you need a fast plan.