carpet replacement: independent stores VERSUS independent installers?

Check out installers on Yelp.

Go there and talk to them. Measure your rooms to be carpeted, make a diagram, and take it to an installer to look at, because carpte comes in specific widths, so the installer can see the shapes and give you an estimate of costs based on room sizes and shapes and your choice of carpet and underlay.

Of get them to come to your house, which they will have to do anyway before giving a final quote, and do it all there.

I prefer vinyl or laminate flooring, which is cleaner.

Go with the complete package, but first go down and understand everything they will do and you agree to it. Like padding, replacing broken nail strips, clean up of the floor, haul off of carpet, etc. Also, I would know what carpet I wanted before I talk to them. You may want to divide their work in to 2 parts and give yourself time to clean things up. Part 1 come out and remove everything and clean up. Part 2 come back 2 or 3 days later and put in the new carpet. I would also look at Armstrong sheet vinyl for the kitchen, utility and baths. It is a superior flooring.

Why don't you call an independent installer in your area and ask what they do? Nothing like going straight to the source for information. Their price is going to vary according to how much they do. If you pick up the new and dispose of the old carpet, they'll charge less.