How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?

Even the most durable carpets eventually wear thin. Unfortunately, the average carpet only lasts about ten years, but homeowners can prepare for this eventuality by creating a budget and savings plan.

Still, anticipating upcoming carpet installation costs can be challenging if you’ve never replaced a carpet before. After all, carpeting materials, installation supplies and tools, and labor costs can quickly add up.

This guide will explore every aspect of the average carpet installation cost, ensuring that you’re fully prepared for upcoming replacement or repair service. Keep reading to learn more.

How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?

Carpet Installation Cost Calculator – National Averages

Floor Size	Carpet Type	Low End $	High End $
1,500 – 3,000 sq ft	Cut Pile Carpet	$2,990	$7,436
1,500 – 3,000 sq ft	Looped Pile Carpet	$2,884	$6,920
1,500 – 3,000 sq ft	Polyester Carpet	$1,778	$9,445
1,500 – 3,000 sq ft	Berber Carpet	$3,400	$16,400
1,500 – 3,000 sq ft	Textured Carpet	$1,940	$7,225
*Price ranges by location, room size, and materials used

Putting down a new carpet can cost anywhere as little as $1500 and well over $10,000. The precise cost depends on several crucial factors, including:

• Current carpet prices
• Supplies and materials
• Installation costs
• Repair and cleaning services

The best way to estimate your upcoming carpet installation project is to take a few minutes and consider these factors. After all, homeowners have a significant amount of control over the final cost to install a new carpet.

Choice of carpet materials, the decision between a DIY and professional installation, and tool and supply costs are all within your hands. But which options will lead to the most affordable or pricey carpet replacement?

To find out, we’ll need to start with current carpet prices. Remember, your choice of carpet massively influences overall costs.

Current Carpet Prices

Carpeting prices are relatively stable, making them easy to calculate. But homeowners that haven’t replaced a carpet in more than a decade might need to brush up on their carpeting knowledge.

For example, a carpet’s price is often determined by four essential factors:

1. Materials
2. Style
3. Thickness
4. Quantity

Understanding how these aspects influence carpeting prices is crucial when budgeting for a new carpet. Thinking each of these factors over can also help you find the perfect replacement carpet for your home!

But before you start choosing a color or pattern, be sure to consider carpeting material. Remember, not all carpets are equally durable or stain-resistant and some materials may hold up to high traffic better than others.

Cost To Install Carpet by Grade

Carpet Grade	Price Per Square Foot
High-Grade Carpet	$5.25 – $22.00
Mid Grade Carpet	$3.12 – $7.44
Low-Grade Carpet	$1.05 – $3.22

Carpet Materials

The fluffy carpet beneath your toes can be made of quite a few different fibers, but some of the most popular carpeting materials include:

• Wool
• Nylon
• Polyester
• Treated Polyester
• Triexta

Treated polyester carpets are often some of the most durable and stain-resistant options. They’re also surprisingly affordable, typically costing between $0.50 and $4 per square foot.

Triexta, a synthetic material that’s used for carpeting, is slightly tougher and can resist stains even more effectively than treated polyester. As a result, it typically costs between $3 and $6 per square foot.

Nylon and polyester materials vary greatly in price depending on their thickness and style. These carpets can cost anywhere from $0.60 and $7 per square foot, with some specialty options costing far more.

But wool carpeting might be the priciest option. In general, homeowners can expect to spend between $5 and $15 per square foot for this durable, natural, and quick-drying carpeting material.

Carpet Style

The style of carpet you choose can also significantly impact its cost. Most carpeting distributors and retailers offer several carpet styles, including:

• Shag
• Berber
• Plush
• Textured
• Patterned

Berber and low-pile textured carpeting tends to be the most affordable options, with some carpet materials costing less than $1 per square foot.

Patterned, plush, and shag carpeting is far pricier, with some options costing more than $10 per square foot. That said, thicker options also tend to be far more durable than thinner carpets, so they’re better long-term investments.

Carpet Thickness

The thickness of your chosen carpeting also influences its overall cost. Thicker carpeting is almost always more expensive than thinner carpets, but they also tend to last far longer and be more comfortable on bare feet.

Typically, homeowners can choose from three thicknesses:

• Low Pile
• Medium Pile
• High Pile

Carpet Quantity

The amount of carpeting you’ll need also influences the final cost of your installation. Naturally, larger quantities will incur higher charges.

You can use a carpet calculator to help you determine how much material you’ll need. Homeowners who have painted their home’s exterior will be familiar with such a calculator, as it utilizes the same concepts.

You’ll need to measure your space, enter those measurements into the calculator, and submit those numbers. The resulting square footage can help you purchase the perfect amount of carpeting.

However, a quick word to the wise: It’s always a great idea to overbuy when purchasing new carpeting. Having a slight excess is always better than realizing you’re several feet short of finishing your project.

Cost Per Square Foot to Install Carpet

Material	Price Per Square Foot
Wool Carpet	$3.95 – $21.21
Nylon Carpet	$2.05 – $5.11
Polyester Carpet	$1.00 – $3.44
Polypropylene/Olefin Carpet	$1.25 – $3.06
Sisal Carpet	$5.12 – $16.01
Cotton Carpet	$5.99 – $7.81

Supplies and Materials

Homeowners hoping to install carpeting without professional assistance will need a wide variety of supplies and materials to get the job done. In addition to the carpet itself, you’ll need:

• A tape measure
• Underlayment foam
• A utility knife
• A carpet knife
• Pliers
• Protective gloves
• A shop vacuum
• A knee kicker
• A carpet stretcher
• A carpet tucking tool

Other Contributing Cost of Carpet Installation

Item	Cost Per Square Foot
Carpet	$2.23 – $22.00 / Sq. Ft.
Padding	$0.32 – $0.70 / Sq. Ft.
Labor Cost	$0.48 – $1.05 / Sq. Ft.
Furniture Removal	$0.29 – $2.00 / Sq. Ft.

The sum of these supplies and materials can easily exceed $500. However, depending on the size of the space you’re hoping to carpet, installation services could be far less expensive than doing the work yourself.

But, of course, homeowners that have replaced carpeting in the past may own many of these tools. So in this instance, you may want to go ahead and do a DIY installation.

That said, the time and energy it takes to install a new carpet can be taxing. Those with hectic schedules may need to choose a professional installation service.

Carpet Installation Costs

If you don’t already own several carpet installation tools, hiring an outside party to install your new carpeting may be more affordable. In general, homeowners have three options:

1. Chain home improvement stores
2. Specialty carpet suppliers and installers
3. Flooring contractors

Average Cost of Carpet Install by Room Size

Room Size	Materials	With Installation
8’ x 8’	$150 – $590	$250 – $1,000
10’ x 10’	$220 – $800	$400 – $1,120
12’ x 12’	$302 – $1,100	$510 – $1,740
15’ x 15’	$500 – $1,600	$800 – $2,500
One Large Room	$800 – $2,800	$1,399 – $4,811

Chain Home Improvement Stores

One of the most popular options available to homeowners is the chain home improvement store. These typically feature a large selection of carpeting options and offer discounted installation services.

However, the installation technicians available from these retailers might not be fully trained on how to install carpet. As such, it’s not uncommon for such installation services to be either complete successes or utter failures.

So, while you might end up paying $0 for installation services, the final result might be a half-secured carpet. That’s why many homeowners opt for specialty carpet suppliers and their installation technicians.

Specialty Carpet Suppliers and Installers

If you’d rather skip the chain home improvement stores and their occasionally lackluster installation technicians, you can always choose a local carpet supply store. Most of these retailers offer installation services.

Even better, because you’re choosing a retailer that only sells carpeting and carpet installation supplies, you’re more likely to find a carpet option that suits your tastes and budget.

Of course, the installation technicians on offer can be just as hit-or-miss as those available at home improvement stores. After all, a person who is good at selling carpeting might not be as talented at installing it.

The last thing you want is to spend several hundred dollars on a less-than-stellar carpet installation. That’s why it might be best to contact a local flooring contractor instead.

Flooring Contractors

Chain home improvement stores and specialty carpet suppliers aren’t your only options when considering professional carpeting installation. You can also choose to hire a flooring contractor.

These professionals typically have several years of experience installing carpets. They may also offer competitive rates, allowing you to get a great deal on installation services. So, be sure to consider local contractors.

Repair and Cleaning Services

One of the best ways to extend the life of a newly installed carpet is to keep it clean and well-maintained. That’s why homeowners should also consider budgeting for carpet repair and cleaning services.

Though you may not end up repairing a badly stained or damaged carpet, you should take steps to keep your home’s carpeting clean.

Regular vacuuming can help, but annual shampoos and deep cleanings are incredibly beneficial. Consequently, homeowners will want to invest in either at-home carpet cleaning tools or regular cleaning services.

Still, accidents do happen, and you may need to repair your carpeting during its lifetime. Budgeting for this type of emergency can help reduce the stress of dealing with a damaged carpet.

Average Carpet Repair Costs

The cost to repair a badly damaged carpet varies depending on the size of the rug. The type of damage can also influence repair costs. Still, the average price for carpet repair is about $300.

Repairs requiring underlayment replacement tend to be more expensive than those requiring a new layer of carpeting. As you might expect, keeping your carpet clean is a smart way to avoid most types of damage.

For that reason, it’s an excellent idea to also budget for cleaning costs. Besides, if you keep your carpeting in tip-top condition, you might be able to use your repair fund for other projects, like remodeling your kitchen!

Carpet Cleaning Costs and Considerations

Proper cleaning can extend the life of your carpet and help keep you and your household a little healthier. If you don’t already own an effective household vacuum cleaner, now is the time to invest.

Consumer-grade carpet cleaning machines are also an excellent investment for homeowners. These are relatively affordable and can help you avoid long-term costs associated with carpet cleaning services.

But at-home carpet cleaning tasks might not be for everyone. For example, if you tend to work long hours or live in a big household, you might not have the time to keep up with your carpet cleaning chores.

Fortunately, many professional carpet cleaning services are incredibly affordable and easy to budget for. These services are a fantastic alternative to laborious at-home cleaning and can free up a ton of personal time.

Budget for Your New Carpet

Your precise carpet installation cost depends on your chosen type of carpeting and installation method. Thicker, more durable carpets are almost always less budget-friendly than thinner options.

Choosing to install your own carpeting might seem like the more affordable solution. But it can be pricier than hiring professional installation experts. Anticipating cleaning and repair costs is a great way to keep to your budget.

If you’re eager to find out more about carpet installation costs and home improvement projects, please contact us today!