How Much Does It Cost to Install New Carpeting?

Carpeting is an attractive, soft, and comfortable floor covering suitable for many rooms. Carpet is seen as a warm, inviting flooring space available in a wide range of styles, materials, and depths. While anyone can put down throw rugs, real wall-to-wall carpeting must be installed by professionals. The material needs to be measured, stretched, and tacked properly to avoid wrinkles or hazardous nails.

While carpeting has a wide range of prices, the average homeowner pays between $7 and $12 per square foot ($63-$108 per square yard) to install carpeting, with the average installation size roughly 10 feet by 14 feet for an average cost of $980 to $1,680.

Carpeting is usually sold by the square yard, which is 9 square feet, with an average width of 12 feet. While this does not impact the installation cost, it is more difficult to compare costs with other materials like hardwood. For this reason, prices are given in square yard and square foot measurements.

Carpet Installation Costs

Carpet Installation Cost Calculator

Carpet installation costs vary depending on your location, size of the area, and carpet type. For example, olefin and polyester are cheaper than cotton and wool. Get starting costs using our carpet cost estimator to estimate high and low price ranges for installing a new carpet, along with average costs.

Carpet Installation Cost Calculator

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NATIONAL COSTS

Average Cost

$1,216

Low Cost

$669

High Cost

$1,865

See Carpet Installation Cost Calculator Breakdown 

Average Cost Project Low-Cost Project High-Cost Project

Cost

Material

140 sq.ft. of minimum-quality olefin carpet

$534

Labor

Installation of 140 sq.ft. of olefin carpet

$135

Material

140 sq.ft. of good-quality nylon carpet

$1,063

Labor

Installation of 140 sq.ft. of nylon carpet

$153

Material

140 sq.ft. of high-quality wool carpet

$1,595

Labor

Installation of 140 sq.ft. of wool carpet

$270

Total

$669

$1,216

$1,865

Carpet Cost Per Square Foot

Many factors determine your average carpeting costs, including the type and style. One of the biggest factors to consider is the room size you are carpeting. The more carpet you put down, the higher your costs:

Average Cost to Carpet 1,000 sq.ft.

If you have a large space or many adjoining rooms in your home, carpeting them in the same flooring gives continuity to your space. Carpeting 1,000 sq.ft. at once costs between $7,000 and $12,000 on average, depending on the carpet type. Carpeting one single room of this size may be slightly less expensive than when carpeting several rooms that add up to this square footage because a single room takes less labor.

Cost to Carpet a Room

Carpeting can be installed in most rooms of the home. If you plan on carpeting areas prone to moisture, you need to change the material you are using to prevent mold and other moisture problems. This impacts the cost of your installation:

Bathroom Carpeting

Carpeting is one of the least recommended materials for use in the bathroom because most carpeting is absorbent and hard to dry. This can lead to mold and mildew growth and rotting of the subfloor ¹. If you want to install carpeting in the bathroom, you have two options. The first is olefin carpeting, which costs around $1 a square foot. It dries quickly and resists growing mold and mildew, so it can handle the wet area.

The second choice is an adhesive carpet tile designed for bathroom use. This is a low-pile carpet that withstands moisture. It is installed without a pad ², so there is no absorption. The material costs $1 a square foot. This makes the average cost of a bathroom carpet installation $280 to $525, based on the bathroom size.

Cost to Carpet a Bedroom

One of the most common places to install carpeting is in the bedroom. Carpeting has a warm, cozy feel that complements bedrooms well. Any carpeting type can be installed here because the area is not known for heavy foot traffic, food stains, or moisture. The average cost to install carpet in a bedroom is between $1,533 and $2,628.

Cost to Carpet a Living Room

Living rooms are the second most common place to install carpeting in the home. This is an area you might want to install a carpet with a decorative nap or pattern or something more plush and thick. Living rooms are typically formal living spaces, so nicer carpets are often installed here, but technically you can install any type. The average cost range to carpet a living room is $2,100 to $3,600.

Basement Carpeting Cost

Basements are another area prone to moisture problems. Like bathrooms, olefin carpets and adhesive carpet tiles designed for wet areas are recommended. Other types of carpeting can lead to mold and mildew growth and should be avoided. The average cost range to install carpeting in the basement is between $4,900 and $7,000, based on the basement size.

Carpet Prices by Material

The material that your carpet is made from influences cost, longevity, stain resistance, and sustainability. There are many different carpet materials to choose from, each with positive and negative attributes:

Olefin Carpet

Olefin carpet is one of the most affordable types. It resists stains and dries quickly, making it a good choice for bathrooms and basements. It has a shorter nap and does not feel as nice underfoot, so it is not as popular in high traffic areas. It can fray easily over time. This material costs $9 a square yard or $1 a square foot.

Polyester Carpet

Polyester carpet is a good choice for those who want to include recycled plastics in their home. Polyester is a good sound absorber and comes in many colors, styles, and naps. It is soft to walk on but can fray over time. It costs about $18 a square yard or $2 a square foot.

Nylon Carpet Prices

Nylon is a strong, durable carpet that holds up to foot traffic without damage or fraying. It can get crushed and become stained. It is recommended that nylon be steam cleaned yearly to help it stay looking its best. It costs roughly $23 a square yard or $2.56 a square foot.

Acrylic Carpet Price

If you like the look and feel of wool but want something more affordable, consider acrylic carpet. This is a less common carpet material, but it performs like wool and feels very similar. It holds color well and is relatively low maintenance. It costs roughly $36 a square yard or $4 a square foot.

Triexta Carpet Cost

Triexta is similar to polyester in terms of how the carpet performs, but it is more durable and softer. This is a good mid-range carpet that holds up to foot traffic and has an appearance similar to nylon. It requires steaming like nylon. It costs around $36 a square yard or $4 a square foot.

Cotton Carpet Price

Cotton is a natural fiber that makes a soft, comfortable carpet. It takes and holds dye very well and can be found in many bright colors. However, it stains very easily and requires high maintenance to keep it looking its best. It costs around $81 a square yard or $9 a square foot.

Wool Carpet Cost

Wool is another natural fiber that makes an incredibly soft, dense, and lush carpet. Wool is a great insulator and one of the most durable carpet fibers, resisting crushing and fraying. It is very high maintenance and should be kept dry. You need to clean it regularly. It costs around $180 a square yard or $20 a square foot.

Wall-to-Wall Carpet Costs by Type

In addition to UV and stain-resistance, there are several types of carpeting grouped by fiber presentation. Each has a different look and different wear levels:

Berber Carpet Prices

Traditionally, Berber carpets were handwoven and knotted, giving them a distinctive texture. Today, they can be machine-made but have the same uncut, knotted loops. They typically have a slightly flecked color pattern and a tight, low loop pile. They cost around $15-$22 a square yard or $1.67-$2.44 a square foot.

Saxony Carpet

Saxony carpet is made of twisted carpet fibers in a cut-loop pattern. The best-quality saxony carpets are usually made of nylon. It is a plush, soft carpet with a straight nap roughly ½ inch in depth total. Saxony costs around $15-$24 a square yard or $1.67-$2.67 a square foot.

Plush Carpet Prices

Plush carpet has an incredibly soft, dense nap. The loops are sheared, rather than cut during manufacture. This makes the nap very flat, giving it that distinctive texture. It costs around $15-$24 a square yard or $1.67-$2.67 a square foot.

Textured Saxony Carpet

Textured saxony is known as trackless saxony. It has a twisted carpet fiber made to stand up straight so that it does not get crushed underfoot or show tracks when people walk. It is a newer version of the saxony carpet and has a similar appearance. It costs $15-$24 a square yard or $1.67-$2.67 a square foot.

Multi-Level Loop Carpet

Multi-level loop carpet or high low loop carpet is a way of creating decorative designs using the loops’ height rather than colors or textures. The carpet loops are grouped according to height to make designs on the carpet. It can be made of many different materials and comes in many patterns and colors. It costs $15-$24 a square yard or $1.67-$2.67 a square foot.

Firenze Carpet

Firenze carpeting is influenced by the art and architecture of Tuscany. It is a striated carpet pattern made of cuts and loops that form distinctive lines. This carpet can be made of many different materials and has a unique, instantly recognizable appearance. It costs around $25-$45 a square yard or $2.78-$5 a square foot on average.

Shag Carpet Cost

A shag carpet is a rug or carpet that has an incredibly deep pile, with long fibers. The fibers may be twisted or untwisted and are typically meant to fall where they like, rather than sitting in a pattern. Shag carpeting costs around $25-$45 a square yard or $2.78-$5 a square foot.

Cable Carpet

Cable carpet is similar in length of fiber to the shag carpet. Cable carpets have long, uncut yarn fibers meant to fall naturally, rather than being cut or grouped into patterns. They are best installed in low-traffic areas because they tend to be high maintenance. They cost around $25-$45 a square yard or $2.78-$5 a square foot on average.

Level Loop Carpet

Level loop carpet is made from thousands of yarn loops sewn into the carpet. The loops are uncut and leveled to the same length as one another for a uniform appearance. The loops can be longer, but they are easier to care for than the unlooped strands of cable or shag. This carpet costs around $25-$45 a square yard or $2.78-$5 a square foot on average.

Velvet Carpet

A velvet carpet is considered a high-end carpet made from uniform, cut loops that are so densely packed that the carpet feels incredibly soft underfoot. It is usually made of nylon, acrylic, or wool for softness. It costs around $25-$45 a square yard or $2.78-$5 a square foot.

Cut and Loop Carpet

Cut and loop carpet creates patterns in the surface by grouping cut fibers with looped ones. This creates a dynamic design with a lot of texture to the carpet surface. It can be combined with different colors for decorative styles. This carpet style costs around $25-$45 a square yard or $2.78-$5 a square foot on average.

Cost of Carpet Padding

Except for carpeting made for wet areas, you need to have a pad installed beneath your carpet. Carpet pads add softness to your floor and absorb sounds. They can add some resilience, making the carpet more comfortable to stand on. Some carpet pads are recommended for specific areas or carpets, while others are a personal preference. Carpet pads can be made of several different materials, which have different uses and attributes:

Urethane Foam Carpet Pad

Urethane foam or a frothed foam carpet pad is the cheapest, most basic form of padding. It is good for light traffic areas but does not hold up well to heavy use. This is a good basic pad for small spaces where you may want to save money. It costs around $0.75 a square foot or $6.75 a square yard.

Bonded Urethane Carpet Pad

Bonded urethane or a rebond carpet pad is the most common type of padding used in homes. It is comfortable and resilient underfoot and does not break down after extended use. It is highly durable, so no matter how long it is installed, you will not find compressed areas. It costs around $0.90 a square foot or $8.10 a square yard.

Waffle Rubber Carpet Padding

Waffle rubber carpet padding is a rarely used material because it is not as cushiony underfoot as others and does not feel nice. It is very lightweight and can sometimes make a difference if you want a thin carpet padding, such as when you are carpeting over existing flooring and worry about clearances. It costs around $1 a square foot or $9 a square yard.

Fiber Cushion Carpet Pad

For those who want a green option for their padding, rather than relying on synthetics that contain rubber or urethane, fiber cushion padding is an option. This uses a blend of natural fibers to create the carpet pad, so it has fewer VOCs. It helps prevent the carpet from moving or slipping, which is beneficial for some long-wearing rugs. It costs around $1.25 a square foot or $11.25 a square yard.

Flat Rubber Carpet Pad (30)

Flat rubber carpet padding is used in commercial applications or very high traffic areas of the home, such as hallways or stairs. It is the most durable and long-wearing pad. It does not compress or wear out, but it is also not as soft or comfortable underfoot, so it is not common in bedrooms or other living areas. It costs around $2 a square foot or $18 a square yard.

Labor Costs to Install Carpet

Carpet installation is done by a flooring professional. This usually consists of removing the current carpeting, preparing the subfloor, laying the carpet pad, and then the new carpet is unrolled, stretched, and stapled into place.

Carpet installation costs vary depending on the carpet type and material, subfloor ¹ quality, and the area where you live.

Carpeting is usually installed by the square yard, the same way it is sold, at a cost of around $10 per square yard. This breaks down to roughly $1 per square foot for installation, so a 10’x14’ room costs about $140 in installation costs alone.

Carpet Installation Process

Before putting down new carpeting, a lot of prep work needs to occur. If your subfloor is old or unstable, it may need to be replaced by a carpenter. Typically, this costs around $70 an hour and requires 2-3 hours’ work for a total of $140-$210 for a new subfloor.

Your installer puts down a carpet pad over the subfloor, and once the pad is down, the new carpet is unrolled and stretched over the floor. Carpet tacks or thin strips with nails are glued or nailed down along the room’s edges, and the carpet is stretched and attached to these nail strips. Whenever possible, the carpet is stretched to cover the complete section of the room. Occasionally, two seams need to meet, and the installer tacks them down together to ensure the most seamless appearance when complete.

The final job is replacing any baseboards that were removed and to remove any cut pieces of carpeting. The carpet may need to be vacuumed to remove stray fibers.

Cost Factors to Install Carpeting

Carpeting has a wide range of associated costs. Some materials, such as wool and Berber, may cost more than synthetic options.

Because carpeting is sold by the square yard, the larger your carpeting area, the higher your costs. This is also true for the padding you choose to go under your carpet since the thicker the padding, the higher the cost.

Stairs, corners, bump-outs, and other irregularities in the installation may also impact the installation cost. If you are carpeting over concrete and need a vapor barrier, this may also add to the final costs.

Carpet Replacement Cost

If you have existing carpeting that you want to replace, it needs to be removed before the new carpet can be put down. This costs around $1 - $2 a square yard or $0.11 to $0.22 a square foot. The new carpet can be put down in the same way as it would be in a new installation, making your total carpet replacement costs between $64 to $110 a square yard or $7.11 to $12.22 a square foot for most rooms.

Carpet Maintenance

Your carpet’s maintenance is influenced by many factors. These include the installation area, whether it is high or low maintenance, material, type, and the pile height. Some areas and carpets are higher maintenance than others.

For most cut, cut and loop, plush, and other deep pile carpets, expect to vacuum the carpet two to three times a week. For low pile and looped carpets, run a carpet sweeper two to three times a week. For all carpets, blot spills as soon as they are noticed to prevent staining.

For natural fibers and carpets that have not been treated against stains, detergent and carpet shampoos may be used as needed to remove stains and treat heavily-soiled areas. Always choose a detergent recommended for your carpet material and type.

Professional carpet cleaning is recommended every 12-18 months for most carpet types, at a rate of around $50-$75.

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Carpeting Pros and Cons

Like all materials, carpeting has its attributes and drawbacks, so it may not be right for every project. Carpeting is warm and soft underfoot and has insulating properties that may make the room feel warmer. It is also stylish and available in various colors, patterns, and textures and a range of materials, both natural and synthetic. Some carpets may muffle sounds and protect you from injury in the event of a fall.

Some carpets are difficult to keep clean and may stain. They may also harbor allergens, such as mold or dust mites. While carpeting is often less expensive than other types of flooring, it does not last as long. Some carpets may not be sustainable or eco-friendly, especially when compared to other flooring types.

Carpet vs Hardwood

Carpeting and hardwood are two of the most popular types of floor covering for whole-house installation. They have many positive and negative attributes influencing the final choice.

Hardwood is easier to maintain and more durable, lasting 50 - 100 years, while carpet lasts roughly 10 to 15. But while carpet is soft and warm underfoot, hardwood can be cold and hard. It can also echo and make a room sound louder, while carpeting muffles sounds.

Both materials come in a range of colors and choices. Of the two, carpet is less expensive at $7 - $12 a square foot, while hardwood ranges from $12 to $20 a square foot.

Cost to Carpet Stairs

It is common if the carpeting you are installing goes to the top or base of a run of stairs to continue the carpet onto the stairs. Carpeting for stairs is usually priced slightly differently due to the different installation types. The average cost to carpet a flight of stairs is around $750.

Commercial Carpet Installation Cost

Commercial carpeting is similar in cost to residential. Most commercial carpeting is low pile, Berber, or looped pile that is easy to clean and care for. Nylon, acrylic, and polyester are the three most common materials, but it is possible to find more expensive options. Typical costs for commercial carpet installation are slightly higher than residential costs at around $8 to $14 a square foot on average. This accounts for the higher durability of padding and carpet material.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Stain-resistant Treatments

There are stain-resistant treatments available for some carpets, and others may already be stain-resistant. Adding resistant treatment typically costs around $80 per gallon, which can treat up to 1,000 sq.ft.

Carpet Removal Cost​

When replacing old carpet with new, you may need to pay for carpet removal. This is also the case if you choose to install a different floor in place of the existing carpet. Carpet removal is fairly simple, involving cutting the existing carpet, rolling it up, and pulling up the carpet tack strips. The average cost to remove and dispose of carpeting is around $115.

Subfloor Replacement Cost

Your subfloor is what your carpet is installed on. It is unfinished material and may be made of plywood, OSB, or concrete. If your current subfloor is damaged, either due to moisture or age, then you need to have a new subfloor installed before you have carpeting put down. The most common type of subfloor in a home is basic plywood.

The old plywood is generally pulled up and removed by breaking the sheets apart, then new sheets of plywood are installed by nailing them to your floor joists. Proper installation creates a smooth, level floor for your carpet with no bounce or squeaking when you walk. The average cost of installing a new plywood subfloor is between $900 and $2,000 for most jobs.

Radiant Heating

Radiant heating can be used with carpeting. This includes electric radiant heating, which costs between $16 and $20. It is installed directly beneath the carpet on the subfloor.

Thresholds

Transition pieces or thresholds may be necessary between rooms, particularly if you use two different flooring pieces. These cost between $2 and $20, depending on the type, material, and style.

Antimicrobial Carpet

Antimicrobial carpet has been treated to resist the growth of mold and mildew, even in wet and damp areas. This treatment can be applied to several carpet materials and types and costs around $40 a square yard or $4.44 a square foot.

Antimicrobial Carpet

Antimicrobial carpet has been treated to resist the growth of mold and mildew, even in wet and damp areas. This treatment can be applied to several carpet materials and types and costs around $40 a square yard or $4.44 a square foot.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• In most cases, professional in-home measuring is included in the cost of the carpet installation. However, if you choose only to have measurements done, there is usually a nominal fee of around $50.
• Removing old flooring may increase the project’s costs by around $2 per sq.ft. For a 10’x14’ room, this increases costs by around $280, unless it is included in the project cost. This varies depending on the type and amount of flooring you need removed. Check with your installer to find out if this is an additional cost.
• You may need to engage a professional service to remove heavy furniture or pianos before installation unless you can do this yourself. Expect to pay $50-$100 if this is necessary.
• Baseboards need to be removed before installation and reinstalled after. This is usually included in the cost of the installation.
• If the carpeting will abut an exterior door, a threshold needs to be installed.
• The tack strips used to install the carpeting are usually included in the costs, but they may not be. Always check to see if it is added to the quote when comparing costs.
• Natural fiber carpets like wool are a more eco-friendly option but often have a higher cost.
• This project is not recommended to be done DIY. Carpeting must be stretched and tacked properly to avoid wrinkles. The subfloor and other prep must also be done properly to ensure a successful installation, which makes this job out of most homeowners’ reach.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Subfloor: The bottom-most layer of a floor, supported by joists, over which finished flooring material is laid

² Pad: A cushion placed under a carpet to absorb impact, thus extending the life of the carpet