Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - Underpadding replacement

Hello all, I have decided to tackle the project of removing and replacing the underpadding where we may/do have a MOLD problem.
I have never removed/installed carpet before in my life, but through reading on different forums (this one included) I think I have a rough Idea of what I may face.
Correct me if I am wrong, but most carpet today, would be stretched out, and held in place with tackstrips along the outer edges of the room. ?????
If that is the case, if I remove the carpet from the tackstrips, and replace the underpad, will I have a hard time replacing the carpet on the tack strips again? Do I have to get one of those power stretchers?

For about $250 I can completely replace the carpet with Laminate flooring. I have installed this before(helped several friends), and honestly would prefer it, but if the process of removing and replacing the carpet underpad is not a great one, I will hopefully save myself some $$$.

Any tips on how to go about replacing the underpad?

A power stretcher is going to help, if it was in fact powerstretch to begin with.

For $250, I'd be installing the lowball laminate. Pay now or pay more later comes to mind.

By the time you rent all of the proper tools, and buy the pad, you will have almost $250.00 into that. I would go with the laminate also..