Remodeling - Carpet Fiasco

 We initially chose a ribbed wool carpet (Geoffrey Hirst - Covington - Large Sample), but our interior designer was concerned that the color didn't complement the wall color and the flooring guy, Kevin, was concerned that the ribbing would separate when bent over the edge of the stairs.  So, we changed our choice to a less textured, slightly lighter carpet (Geoffrey Hirst - Queenstown - Small Sample)

The flooring contractor would have liked to install the hardwood floors before the carpet, but due to the delays with the hardwood, they had to get the carpet installed before we moved in.  They said it would only take a couple of days.  

They started with the upstairs bedroom.  We stopped by that evening after they completed the upstairs bedroom.  The first thing we noticed is that the grain of the carpet was going perpendicular to the stairs.  Then we realized that they were installing the wrong carpet.  They ordered and started to install the Covington, not the Queenstown.  After a quick call to the contractor, they stopped the installation. 

Since this was about a week before we moved in, we were kind of in a bind.  The vendor acknowledged his mistake and was willing to put in the Queenstown, however, it would take two weeks in order to get it in stock and another week to get it installed.  We had a big decision to make.  

We went upstairs where the carpet was already installed.  We looked at it with the wall color and we were satisfied that the colors matched.  We got Kevin over and asked about his concerns on the steps.  There was already a step carpeted, but we did not like that the grain was perpendicular to the step.  So, he came and folded it over the bullnose of the step.  Apparently, our steps are a bit thicker than normal, so he was not concerned that the backing would show through when the carpet was put on the steps.  

We then discussed that we did not like the way the grain was running lengthwise down the stairs.  He told us that since there was a doorway at the top of the stairs, they could easily make a seam there and rotate the carpet 90 degrees.  With that assurance, and the deadline coming, we decided to go with the original carpet we chose.  They were able to reschedule the installers, and the carpet was in before moving day.  

However, the saga does not end there.  After the pile of furniture in the downstairs bedroom was moved, we discovered a lump in the floor.  We called Kevin, and he came out and tried to hammer out the lump.  Didn't work.  Finally, the installer was called back, he pulled up the corner of the carpet and fixed the problem.  

On the way out, I asked the installer what he found.  He sheepishly showed me a small piece of tack strip that he left under