A carpet streacher is about the only special thing you will need..as far a skill if you can read a tape you should be good to go..Not quite. Seam iron, tucking and cutting tools, adhesives, you have to know how to read the weave, proper tensioning and stretching techniques, etc. You can install any way you want with any tools, but do it correctly with the correct techniques and tool, and you extend the life two-fold.