Carpet Installation Cost: Homeowner Pricing Guide
HomeGuide puts carpet installation at $2 to $8 per square foot, installed, while This Old House gives a higher range of $3 to $11. Use them as a starting point for comparing quotes. Padding, removal and stair work appear as separate line items in the sources, so they are covered below.
Carpet installation cost breakdown
| Item | Scope | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet installation | Typical range, installed | $3 to $11 per square foot | This Old House |
| Carpet installation | Labor and materials, average range | $1.36 to $13.58 per square foot | Fixr |
| Carpet material | Material alone, typical range | $1.11 to $12.60 per square foot | Fixr |
| Nylon carpet | Material average | $7 per square foot | Forbes Home |
| Wool carpet | Material range | $4 to $20 per square foot | Bob Vila |
| Peel-and-stick carpet tile | Average cost | $2.25 per square foot | Forbes Home |
| Budget carpet installation | Average total cost range, installed | $475 to $1,980 | Fixr |
| Mid-range carpet installation | Project cost range, installed | $1,406 to $5,073 | Fixr |
| High-end carpet installation | Total project cost range, installed | $17,525 to $31,885 | Fixr |
Fixr’s labor and materials range is wider than the per-foot ranges from HomeGuide and This Old House. Fixr also gives total project tiers for budget, mid-range and high-end jobs, which are the last three rows.
Labor vs. materials
HomeGuide puts average labor at $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, and Forbes Home gives the same range for professional installation. Bob Vila says labor adds $0.50 to $1 per square foot, so its top figure sits below both.
Padding is an add-on to the carpet price. This Old House says it typically adds $0.75 to $2 per square foot, while Forbes Home gives $0.60 to $3 for underlayment padding. The two ranges differ, so ask which pad each quote includes.
Cost by room and project size
HomeGuide puts recarpeting a 3-bedroom house at $1,600 to $6,700 installed. Forbes Home expects $3,600 to $8,400 for a 1,200-square-foot area and says material type, installation complexity and geographic location all change the total.
For one 12-foot by 12-foot room, This Old House gives $612 to $2,016 with padding and installation included. Bob Vila gives $500 to $1,600 for a 12-foot by 12-foot bedroom, so the two totals differ. Check what each total covers before you compare them.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
None of the sources give a do-it-yourself cost. The ranges here are installed prices, material prices or labor figures, so a DIY budget needs your own material and tool quotes. Compare your tools, time and comfort with the job before you decide. If you are also weighing hard floors, see the luxury vinyl plank flooring installation cost guide.
Older homes may have asbestos in old flooring or its adhesive. If you suspect it, stop work and have the material tested. A licensed pro and a permit may be required for asbestos removal.
Ways to save
- Get more than one written bid. Ask several installers for itemized quotes so you can compare the per-square-foot rate, padding, removal and stair lines side by side.
- Ask whether removal is in the price. Removal can be part of a professional replacement job, so check whether the bid lists it as a separate line.
- Ask about furniture moving. Bob Vila says a furniture-moving charge of $25 to $75 per room is common, so ask whether that charge applies if you clear the rooms yourself.
- Check for attached padding. Some peel-and-stick tiles already have padding attached, so read the product details before adding a separate pad to the bid.
- Ask for the fiber by name. Request that each bid name the carpet fiber and its price per square foot, so you can compare nylon and wool offers directly.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask the installer to measure each room in person and to state the square footage used in the price. Ask for line items instead of one lump sum. A written quote should show:
- Carpet fiber and price per square foot
- Padding, and whether it is included
- Labor, if the bid breaks it out
- Removal and disposal of old carpet and pad
- Stair work and any furniture-moving charge
- Underlayment, if the installer expects it to be replaced
What changes the price
- Carpet fiber, such as nylon, wool or peel-and-stick tile
- Padding or underlayment, which some quotes list separately
- Removal and disposal of old carpet and pad
- Stair carpeting
- Moving heavy furniture
- Material type, installation complexity and geographic location
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to carpet stairs?
HomeGuide gives a typical installed range of $150 to $600 for stair carpeting. That figure is separate from the per-square-foot rates.
Is peel-and-stick tile cheaper than nylon carpet?
Forbes Home lists peel-and-stick tile at an average of $2.25 per square foot and nylon at about $7. These are averages from one source, so compare full quotes before you decide.
Does the carpet price include removing the old carpet?
It depends on the quote. HomeGuide prices carpet and pad removal, disposal included, at $0.70 to $1.60 per square foot.
Sources
Related cost guides
Figures are estimates based on the sources above and vary by region, home and contractor. Get at least three written quotes before you hire. See our disclaimer and how we research.