The cost of carpet installation can vary widely, with the average price being around $1,525. Prices range from $760 to $2,335, depending on factors such as the size of the area being carpeted, the type and quality of the carpet, and the complexity of the installation.
Carpet installation involves preparing the floor, cutting and fitting the carpet, and securing it with glue or other fasteners. If you’re tired of your old flooring and are looking for a budget-friendly and cozy option, carpet may be the answer, as the materials cost between $2 and $10 per square foot.
In this cost guide:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Area Size
- Cost Estimator by Material
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Carpet Installation Costs in 2024
| National Average Cost | $1,525 |
| Typical Price Range | $760 – $2,335 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $190 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $6,665 |
The average price for carpet installation is between $760 and $2,335 for an area of 200 square feet. However, these costs can go as low as $190 if you plan on installing it in a small space with cheaper synthetic materials. On the other hand, it can go as high as $6,665 if you opt for high-end materials like wool and install carpeting in a large area.
To keep costs on the lower end, follow these tips:
- Consider installing the carpet yourself
- Choose a cheaper carpet material, such as olefin and polyester
- Get quotes from multiple contractors
- Keep the carpet area small
- Reuse existing padding and trim
Carpet Installation Cost Estimator by Area Size
The square footage of the area you want to have carpeted can significantly affect the installation cost. Carpet installation costs $2 to $10 per square foot or $18 to $90 per square yard.
Bigger room sizes will require more carpet and labor, driving up the cost. On the other hand, smaller areas will require less material and work, resulting in a lower cost.
It is essential to accurately measure the area you want to have carpet to get an accurate estimate for the installation cost. The table below can help you estimate your project’s costs:
| Area Size | Average overall costs |
| 100 sq. ft. | $200 – $1,000 |
| 150 sq. ft. | $300 – $1,500 |
| 200 sq. ft. | $400 – $2,000 |
| 300 sq. ft. | $600 – $3,000 |
| 500 sq. ft. | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Keep in mind that the cost per square foot may vary depending on the type and quality of the carpet, as well as other factors such as the complexity of the installation and any necessary prep work, as we’ll see next.
Carpet Installation Cost Estimator by Material
Carpet prices vary depending on the type of material they are made of. In general, synthetic fibers such as olefin and polyester are less expensive than natural fibers like cotton and wool:
| Carpet Material | Average Cost Per Square Foot (Materials Only) |
| Olefin | $1 – $4 |
| Polyester | $1 – $4 |
| Nylon | $2 – $7 |
| Triexta | $2 – $7 |
| Acrylic | $3 – $8 |
| Sisal | $3 – $12 |
| Cotton | $4 – $7 |
| Wool | $4 – $22 |
Olefin
What it is: Olefin carpet (also known as polypropylene) is made from a synthetic fiber commonly used to manufacture carpets.
Price (material only): $1 – $4 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Not soft to stand on |
| ✓ Resistant to stains | ✗ Flattens and mat over time |
| ✓ Resistant to moisture | ✗ Prone to oil stains |
| ✓ Resistant to fading | ✗ Heat-sensitive |
Polyester
What it is: Polyester carpet is a type of budget-friendly synthetic carpet made of recycled plastic.
Price (material only): $1 – $4 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Many color options | ✗ Not durable |
| ✓ Soft to walk on | ✗ May lose its color |
| ✓ Absorbs sound well | ✗ Prone to oil stains |
Nylon
What it is: Nylon is a synthetic polymer made through polymerization, which creates strands of nylon fibers that are then spun into yarn to weave nylon carpets.
Price (material only): $2 – $7 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Prone to fading |
| ✓ Suited for moderate to high-traffic areas | ✗ Holds static electricity |
| ✓ Easy to clean | ✗ It can react to urine and bleach |
| ✓ Hypoallergenic | ✗ More costly than other synthetic materials |
Triexta
What it is: Triexta is a type of synthetic fiber used to make carpets and other types of flooring, made from a polymer derived from renewable resources such as corn sugar.
Price (material only): $2 – $7 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Limited availability |
| ✓ Stain resistant | ✗ Heat-sensitive |
| ✓ Softer than polyester | ✗ Hard to vacuum |
Acrylic
What it is: Acrylic carpet is a synthetic carpet made from a polyacrylonitrile polymer. It is one of the carpet options that wears out the easiest.
Price (material only): $3 – $8 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Hypoallergenic | ✗ Not stain-resistant |
| ✓ Feels similar to wool | ✗ Prone to pilling |
| ✓ Resistant to fading | ✗ Not durable |
Sisal
What it is: A sisal carpet is a type of natural floor covering made from the sisal plant’s fibers, a type of agave native to Mexico and Central and South America.
Price (material only): $3 – $12 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Sustainable | ✗ Prone to stains |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Not comfortable to stand on |
| ✓ Low-maintenance | ✗ Can’t be steam cleaned or wet shampooed |
Cotton
What it is: A cotton carpet is made from natural fibers derived from the cotton plant.
Price (material only): $4 – $7 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Soft and comfortable to stand on | ✗ Prone to stains |
| ✓ Many color and pattern options | ✗ Fades easily |
| ✓ Eco-friendly | ✗ May cause allergic reactions |
Wool
What it is: Wool carpet is a natural material made from the fibers of sheep or other animals.
Price (material only): $4 – $22 per square foot
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Durable | ✗ Fades with sunlight |
| ✓ Stain-resistant | ✗ Absorbs moisture |
| ✓ Suited for high-traffic areas | ✗ Costly |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
This section will present the various factors that can affect carpet installation costs. By understanding these factors, you will be able to estimate the cost of your carpet installation better and make informed decisions about your flooring project:
- Style/Type
- Labor
- Padding
- Stain-Resistance Treatments
- Subfloor Replacement
- Removing Old Carpeting
- Moving Furniture
- Custom Cuts
- Stairs
Type
There are three main types of carpet styles: cut pile, loop pile, and cut & loop pile. Each of them has its own characteristics and costs associated with it:
| Carpet Type | Average costs (Per Square Foot) |
| Cut pile | $1 – $10 |
| Loop pile | $1 – $6 |
| Cut & loop pile | $2 – $10 |
Cut Pile
Cut pile carpets cost between $1 and $10 per square foot. They have woven loop carpet fibers cut to a uniform length, resulting in a dense and soft carpet. Cut pile carpeting has four additional subcategories:
- Saxony (also known as plush): This type of carpeting is made with heat-set twisted fibers, which gives the carpet a soft, plush feel. Saxony costs $2 – $7 per square foot.
- Textured Saxony: Similar to Saxony, the twist fibers feature a permanent curl, resisting wear and tear. Costs between $2 – $12 per square foot.
- Frieze: In this category, the yarns are more tightly twisted, making them more resilient and suited for medium to high-traffic areas. Frieze costs $1 – $8 per square foot.
- Cable: This type of carpeting has long and thick fibers that make it softer but also susceptible to matting. It costs $4 – $8 per square foot.
Loop Pile
Loop pile carpets, also known as Berber, are precisely what the name suggests. They’re made from uncut loops of yarn, which gives them a texture similar to knots and makes them resistant to fraying and heavy foot traffic.
Most homeowners pay, on average, $1 to $6 per square foot for loop pile or Berber carpets. They can have a level or multilevel loop finish.
Cut & Loop Pile
Cut and loop carpets cost between $2 and $10 per square foot. They combine both cut and loop yarns to create a textured surface and a distinctive appearance. This carpeting style is a good option if you’re looking for something to hide lines and footprints and withstand high foot traffic.
Labor
Some home improvement retailers offer free installation if you buy carpet from them. Still, frequently, in addition to the cost of the carpet materials, you will also need to budget for the labor required to install the carpet.
Labor costs for carpet installation generally range from $0.50 to $1 per square foot, depending on the job’s complexity and other factors, such as the job’s location and the installer’s experience.
Remember that these labor costs can significantly impact the overall cost of your carpet installation, so be sure to factor them into your budget when planning your project.
Padding
Carpet padding, also known as carpet cushion, is a layer of material placed underneath carpets to provide additional comfort and support. It is essential to use padding when installing carpets because it helps to extend their life by reducing wear and tear. It also enhances the overall feel of the carpet by making it softer and more comfortable to walk on.
The costs for padding range between $1 and $2 per square foot, depending on the type and thickness of the padding material. Padding materials include bonded urethane, waffle rubber, fiber cushion, and flat rubber.
Stain-Resistance Treatments
A stain-resistance treatment is a coating applied to a material to help it resist stains and make it easier to clean. Some materials, such as acrylic and cotton, are prone to staining and may benefit from a stain-resistance treatment.
The treatment typically costs around $80 per gallon and can cover an area of approximately 1,000 square feet. However, suppose you’re doing it yourself. In that case, following the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the treatment is crucial to ensure optimal performance.
Subfloor Replacement
A subfloor is a structural layer installed before the finished flooring material, providing a stable and level surface for it.
The subfloor must be in good condition to ensure that the carpet is adequately supported and stays in place. If the subfloor is damaged or not level, it can cause issues with the carpet installation, such as lumps, bumps, or unevenness.
Replacing subfloors costs between $2 and $8 per square foot.
Removing Old Carpeting
If you’re considering carpet replacement, it’s important to factor in the cost of carpet removal. Removing the existing carpet costs between $2 and $3 per square foot.
That means that if you have a room with 100 square feet of carpet, removing it could cost between $200 and $300. Keep this in mind as you plan your budget for your flooring project.
Moving Furniture
Contractors may charge an additional fee to move your furniture out of the way to install the carpet. If you want to save money on this service, try removing the furniture yourself or asking friends for help.
That can help you avoid additional charges and save money on the overall cost of your carpet installation.
Custom Cuts
Custom-cutting the carpet to fit the contours of an irregularly shaped room can be a time-consuming process and may require the use of additional materials.
As such, if you have an unusually shaped room, you may have to pay more for carpet installation due to the extra time and materials required to customize the carpet to fit the room’s specific dimensions. The price of the custom-cut carpet will depend on the size and shape of the room.
Stairs
Carpeting stairs can be more expensive than carpeting a flat surface because of the extra cutting and fitting that is required. In general, carpeting stairs costs between $19 and $46 per step, so be prepared for additional costs for this service.
Related Services
Before installing carpet in your home, you should know that it is not suited for every room. Read on to learn more about different types of flooring and their associated costs:
Kitchen Flooring Installation
While carpet may not be the most practical choice for kitchen flooring because it is prone to absorbing moisture, plenty of other options are available. In general, replacing a kitchen floor costs between $1,435 and $5,520, with an average of $3,115.
Here are the most common kitchen flooring materials and their average costs per square foot:
| Flooring Material | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
| Polished Concrete | $2 – $10 |
| Vinyl | $2 – $11 |
| Ceramic Tile | $2 – $20 |
| Porcelain Tile | $2 – $30 |
| Engineered Wood | $5 – $17 |
Bathroom Flooring Installation
Having carpet in your bathroom is not a good idea either, as the high humidity can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. In addition, carpets can be challenging to clean and maintain in a bathroom.
However, bathroom flooring costs around $1,910, or between $1,530 and $2,295. Some good flooring options for these high-humidity areas include porcelain, ceramic, granite, vinyl, and marble.
Home Insulation
Another way to keep your home warm during the winter (and cool in the summer), besides installing carpet flooring, is by ensuring that it is adequately insulated. Insulation helps keep the heat inside and reduces the energy necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature.
The average costs to insulate your home range between $2,130 and $6,700, with an average of $3,020.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Carpet installation can be a challenging task, but if you’re up for a DIY project, it is definitely possible to do it yourself.
However, labor costs for carpet installation range between $0.50 and $1 per square foot, so if you don’t have the right tools and materials, it’s more time and cost-effective to have a professional installation.
| DIY Equipment | Average Cost |
| Utility knife | $12 |
| Carpet seam roller | $20 |
| Carpet tape | $8 |
| Tack strips | $30 (100 units) |
| Staple gun | $25 |
| Hammer | $18 |
| Tape measure | $18 |
| Knee kicker | $80 |
| Stair tool | $25 |
| Seaming iron | $120 |
| Power stretcher | $500 (buy) $35 per day (rent) |
| Total cost with renting a power stretcher: | $391 |
| Total cost with buying a power stretcher: | $856 |
A DIY carpet installation costs around $391 if you rent a power stretcher. That is equivalent to hiring a contractor to install carpet on between 390 and 780 square feet of flooring at $0.50 – $1 per square foot.
Suppose you decide to buy a power stretcher. In that case, the costs can go up to $856, which is equivalent to hiring a professional to install between 850 and 1700 square feet of flooring.
Cost of Carpet Installation by Location
The costs for carpet installation can vary significantly depending on your geographical location. In general, if you live in a coastal or urban area, you can expect to pay more for carpet installation than in a rural area.
That happens due to many factors, such as the cost of living, the availability of skilled labor, and the demand for carpet installation services.
FAQ
Installing a carpet in a 500 square feet area can take about half a day for a professional carpet installer. However, this time frame can vary depending on the complexity of the installation, whether there are stairs involved, the need to remove the old carpeting, and to repair the subfloors.
On average, carpets last between 5 and 10 years, with lower-quality carpets needing to be replaced more frequently.
Nylon is the best carpet when it comes to durability. This type of carpet lasts the longest, is known for its strength, and is resistant to wear and tear. In addition, when treated with stain-resistance protection, it becomes easy to clean.
Overall, the best way to extend the lifespan of any carpet is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for care and maintenance, including vacuuming regularly, spot-cleaning spills as soon as possible, and having the carpet professionally cleaned every year or two.
Carpeting can lower the value of a house if it is outdated or in poor condition. However, carpets generally don’t affect a house’s value. On the other hand, flooring options such as hardwood and natural stone can add value to your home.
Final Thoughts
Having carpet installed in your home can make it look and feel warm and cozy. Although installing it on your own is possible, it can be time-consuming and frustrating. It may even result in a poor-quality installation.
To ensure that your carpet is installed correctly, hire a professional carpet installer near you and have your new carpet looking great for years to come.
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
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