How much does carpet cost?

When you’re looking to replace your old flooring with new carpet, your budget will play a role in what type of carpet you choose. So how much does carpet actually cost? The answer is that it varies widely. You have the price of the carpet, padding, and installation to consider.

Carpet

The price of carpet in itself can vary widely. You could spend as little as $1/sqft or as much as $10/sqft, if not more. One of the key things to keep in mind is the durability of the carpet you are getting. If you are looking for something that is going to last 10+ years, you do not want to get $1/sqft carpet. Lower end carpet is great for rental properties and apartments, where the carpet needs to be replaced frequently. The other thing to keep in mind is the type of carpet. Natural carpet, like wool, is going to have a higher price tag than synthetic carpets, like nylon and olefin.

Padding

Many times the area that homeowners try to cut cost on will be the padding, and while for most carpet situations there is no need to buy the most expensive product on the market, this is not the area to skimp. Padding costs can range from $0.25/sqft to $1/sqft. Skimping on padding can affect the durability and lifespan of your carpet or even void your carpet’s warranty.

Installation

Installation costs are going to vary based on the job – if it is an odd shaped room, transition pieces, etc. On average, you can usually expect $0.30-$0.60/sqft for installation.

When first deciding on a budget for your new carpet, it is important to keep all of these parts in mind. Having a rough estimate based on the estimated square footage and type of carpet you want (low end, mid-grade, or high end) will help to avoid that initial “sticker shock” when you go to purchase your carpet.