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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Flooring, Painting & Remodeling > Carpet

Carpet Cost


How Much Does Carpet Cost?

 
 average costTypical Range: $300-600/room 
Typical costs:
  • Prices range from $2 a square foot for the most inexpensive carpeting, including some self-adhesive carpet tiles, to as much as $100 a square yard for high-end or custom project. Decent carpeting and padding can usually be installed for $19-$38 a square yard, or $300-$600 for a 12x12-foot room.
  • If it's not included, add, $2.50-$6 a square yard for padding. Be skeptical of prices that include free padding, because good padding increases the life span of your carpet; ask about upgrades.
  • If installation isn't included, it averages $2-$6 or more a square yard for most residential carpet. Installers may also charge an extra $1-$2 a square yard to move furniture, another $1-$2/square yard for removing the existing carpeting; $1-$2/square yard for disposing of the old carpet; and $1-$2 extra for installing berber (loose loop) style products. There are also extra fees for steps and oddly-shaped rooms.
  • If installation is included in the price, it might be cheaper (and give you more control) to hire your own installer. If the seller won't reveal what the built-in installation fees are or just says "it's included," ask what the price is if you install it yourself.
Related articles: Hardwood Floors, Vinyl Flooring, Home Addition

What should be included:
  • The least expensive material is polypropylene, also called polyethylene or olefin; acrylic is also fairly low-priced; mid-grade carpets are usually polyester or nylon; wool is often the most expensive choice, and a few high-end products include silk or linen. The Carpet and Rug Institute[1] gives tips for choosing a carpet.
  • Carpet tiles are also an option; visit FloorBiz.com[2] for an explanation and referrals.
  • There are several grades of padding. Pinch the padding; if it compacts more than half its thickness, it probably won't last under long-term wear and tear.
  • A tack strip (wood strips with tack points jutting up to grab the carpet's backing) should be nailed around the edges of the room. The padding is rolled out and trimmed to fit inside the tack strip, then the carpet is rolled out. The installer should use a power stretcher to minimize rippling and wrinkling. Get a good understanding of the installation process by reading the do-it-yourself directions at Hometime.com[3] .
  • New carpets sometimes give off vapors that bother people who are sensitive to chemicals. If this is a problem, the carpeting should be delivered early and sit in a detached garage or well-ventilated area for at least 24-48 hours before installation.
Shopping for carpet:
  • Links for retail and wholesale vendors plus referrals to carpet installers are listed at CarpetBuyersHandbook.com[4] .
  • Understand exactly what is included in a carpet price, and what the product warranty covers.
  • If hiring an installer, request and check references, and ask about training and certification. Get proof of liability insurance and at least a one-year written warranty for the work. ColorYourCarpet.com[5] provides detailed guidelines.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
2 rooms carpet over an old wood floor
Amount: $900.68
Posted by: Bernhardt Laurent in Chatham, NJ.Posted: September 21st, 2018 08:09AM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 288Installer: Ben Lomond Design
Brand: Broadcast Plus
2 rooms carpet over an old wood floor. the installation and sales team wee great! carpet is not the thickest, but durable. Ben Lomond design only uses thick padding for plush carpet , the installer (Mike) said they do it that way because the cheap just is hard to work with.
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Lowe's Estimate for 1356 sq feet (3 bed, living room area)
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Still looking in Torrance, CA.Posted: December 17th, 2017 08:12AM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 1356Installer: Lowe's
Brand: Cheapo
Lowe's had a "free installation and furniture move/debris removal sale". For 40 dollars (that is waived if you use their services),they come and tape measure rooms and give estimate.They will NOT let you see the paperwork and how they come up with the estimate, in other words you get nothing but an estimate for 40 and nothing in your hand. They also hire outside labor to do the actual work so you have no idea who is going to show up with carpet hanging out of their truck.
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Carpet install
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Steve H Goldstein in Las Vegas, NV.Posted: February 3rd, 2017 07:02PM
Brand: Don't know
I have a 15x15 room
Regular stock carpet probably in the 1 per ft range
I am getting high calculations on estimators
I figure 30 yards and high end install cost including carpet is 14 per yard
That would be around 420 plus a margin to add since I am the contractor.
Can I get help?
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Oh crap...think I just got scammed.
Amount: $10,000.00
Posted by: NE_Heartbreak in Omaha, NE.Posted: November 30th, 2016 07:11PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 2150Installer: Hoffman weber
Brand: "Piece of Cake"
this is a big house including stairs and higher end padding includes tear out only bid I could get in the next 2 months and wanted to get it done with the house empty
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carpet installing
Amount: $650.00
Posted by: oscar vega in skokie, IL.Posted: January 25th, 2016 12:01PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 180Installer: oscar vega
i spent $650 for carpet + padding + labor + dump
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New carpet - Luna
Amount: $3,200.00
Posted by: HReno in Denton, MD.Posted: September 9th, 2015 06:09PM
Brand: Shaw
Quoted for 2 bdrms, 2 closets- high end padding and carpet with lifetime warranty.
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carpet tile installation
Amount: $1,650.00
Posted by: Bela in montvale, NJ.Posted: August 30th, 2015 02:08PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 1350Installer: simon
Brand: milliken
Hi my name is Bela . I used Empire installation in NJ to carpet my office with carpet tiles they charge me $20 sq yard milliken 22 ounce commercial carpet tiles $6 a yard to install and $3 remove old carpet you can provide your dumpster or they dump it for you for extra $2 a yard . My office is 150 sq yards i paid for install removal and dump $1650 and $3000 for carpet. I recommend this guys they fully insured and know what they doing . just ask for Simon 7812965684. I Will do more work with them in the future .
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great deal
Amount: $275.99
Posted by: nick worrell in Wilson, NC.Posted: May 5th, 2015 12:05PM
Brand: golden carpet
300 square feet with padding and installation 275.00 by golden carpet Wilson nc
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Estimate for Basic Ceramic Tile
Amount: $6,700.00
Posted by: Judy P. in Monmouth County, NJ.Posted: September 3rd, 2014 07:09PM
Brand: Co. w/ Catchy Phone Number Jingle
EmpireToday = StayAway This company quoted me $6,700 to tile my 250 square foot kitchen. I understand that New Jersey is the most expensive state in which to live, but some companies rely soley on the business of people who lack knowledge about the costs of material and labor.
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carpet installation
Amount: $4,000.00
Posted by: Martha mccallen in Mt Penn, PA.Posted: March 16th, 2013 08:03PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 6 bedrooms 1 hw and 2 stairsInstaller: Empire carpting 484-524-2977
Just had empire carpeting company to come to install carpets in my 6 bedrooms hallway and two stair ways great company and employees. I will recommend them to anyone. They did a excellant job very detail oriented, friendly. 484-524-2977-484-219-3340
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Estimate from major retailer
Amount: $6,200.00
Posted by: jo332 in NJ, NJ.Posted: August 2nd, 2012 09:08AM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 700Installer: n/a
Brand: n/a
Just got an esimate for carpet for my 2nd floor and stairs, they wanted $6,200 for 700 square feet. I laughed and thought she was kidding. Eventually they went down to $2,000. At that point I said thanks for your time.
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Carpet installation
Amount: $4,500.00
Posted by: Issac Katan in Ardsley, NY.Posted: July 29th, 2011 08:07AM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 3 bedrooms,Installer: New American Homes Inc. 646-773-6980
Very Professional company, love the service attitude. Worked with my budget, the price included removal of old carpet and padding, installing high quality padding (good padding makes the carpet last longer), professional installation (no bubbles or riffles. Highly recommend.
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Replacing Carpet Amount: $1,410.00 Posted by: KE in Troy, MI. Posted: January 3rd, 2011 10:01PM Sq Ft of Flooring: 700
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Randy W in Coos Bay, OR.Posted: July 28th, 2011 10:07PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: Installer: Yes, I am
Sounds like you received a quality installation. If you had purchased from the box stores believing the farce of having carpet installed in your entire home...... the next day..... for $99.95 You would be tootin a different toon. Glad that you had an installed that cared about you.
Price is now the deciding issue these days and people want the cheapest everything, even if it means the flooring will last half as long due to an installer that has no clue what he is doing.
A good installer can easily double the life span of your flooring by doing the job correctly.
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Replacing Carpet
Amount: $1,410.00
Posted by: KE in Troy, MI.Posted: January 3rd, 2011 10:01PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 700Installer: Fifth wall flooring
Brand: Unknown
700 sqft carpet replacement for bedrooms, closets, a hall and steps. The price includes: removing old carpet, installing new pad and carpet (including materials), but does not include; disposing the old carpet. No furniture on the floor. I believe the quality of the carpet is on a par with $2/sqft carpet sold in home center - it is not expensive but not a cheapest one. I received another quote from Home Depot, which is approximately $2,100.
The installer is good in terms of installation quality, but bad in the sense that they spent 3 days to install it.
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Next Day Carpet Installation
Amount: $2,546.00
Posted by: Rea Mara in Los Angeles, CA.Posted: April 25th, 2010 10:04AM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 2 bedrooms, 3 closetsInstaller: Empire Today
Brand: Mohawk
Didn't have time to shop around and wanted carpet installed ASAP. Carpet was installed the next, which was also a Saturday.
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atlanta mobil flooring
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: jonny in ridgefield, WA.Posted: November 13th, 2008 08:11AM
when a trades man give you a discount it means they are desperate for work. Company's can not stay in business giving everyone a discount and when they do its courteous not to advertise this to others but rather tell your friends how happy you were with the quality of their work.
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Carpet Remodeling
Amount: $3,500.00
Posted by: Patrick Phasey in Atlanta, GA.Posted: March 1st, 2008 05:03PM
Sq Ft of Flooring: 5 bedrooms l/r, d/r,stairsInstaller: Atlanta Mobile Flooring
Brand: Mohawk
Fantastic!!! We were remodling our investment property for us to move into and we were on a TIGHT budget. This company is family owned and each and every one of them are professional and funny. Very trustworthy. They gave us a break because of our budget, and the work is exceptional. 678-365-7692
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External Resources:
  1.  www.carpet-rug.org/about-cri/requested-page-has-moved.cfm
  2.  www.floorbiz.com/carpet/carpet-buying-guide/carpet-construction/carpet-tile-floors...
  3.  www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/flooring/floor_8.htm
  4.  www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/
  5.  www.coloryourcarpet.com/Education/Installers.html
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