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A fresh set of new carpet can make anyone’s home feel luxurious. When planning a project like this, it’s important to consider carpet replacement costs. While actual costs can vary based on a wide variety of factors, the average cost of carpet installation for a 330-square-foot room is $1,778. To give homeowners a better idea of how much carpet installation costs, let’s take a closer look at average carpet costs, the various factors that affect installation costs, and other key considerations homeowners need to know before embarking on this project. How Much Does It Cost to Install Carpets?
How much someone will spend to install new carpets in their home depends on many different factors, but understandably one of the most important ones is how much carpet they plan to install. To give some context, let’s look at what it would cost to replace the carpet in a standard American living room during home renovations. On average, installing 330 square feet of carpet, which is approximately the size of an average living room, costs around $1,778. However, the total cost can vary and typically ranges from $783 to $2,812. Factors that affect the cost of new carpet include the carpet and padding expenses, installation charges, and the removal and disposal of any existing flooring.Recommended: How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Living Room?Average Cost of Carpet Installation Per Square Foot
Because all homes and the rooms within them are different sizes, it’s important to plan a carpet installation budget around specific room sizes. Tiny home owners are in luck since they’ll spend the least on new carpet. This table outlines the average cost of carpet installation per square footage.| Square Footage | Materials and Installation |
| 500 | $1,500 - $5,500 |
| 800 | $2,400 - $8,800 |
| 1,000 | $3,000 - $11,000 |
| 1,500 | $4,500 - $16,500 |
| 2,000 | $6,000 - $22,000 |
Factors That Can Affect the Cost of Carpet Installation
Alongside room size, there are many other factors that play a major role in carpet installation pricing. Type of Carpet
The carpet price per square foot depends on the type of carpet a homeowner chooses to put into their home. Polyester- $1 to $3 per square foot
- Non-allergenic, mold, and mildew resistant
- Attractive color schemes
- Low-density polyester can track and crush, not ideal for high-traffic areas
Wool- $4 to $20 per square foot
- Eco-friendly and durable
- Stain-resistant but susceptible to moisture-related issues
- Fading and static problems with heavy use, avoid basements
Nylon- $2 to $5 per square foot
- Withstands high foot traffic
- Durable, easy to clean, and resists pilling
- Suitable for various areas, including high-traffic zones
Olefin (Polypropylene)- $1 to $3 per square foot
- Made from recycled materials, resistant to stains and moisture
- Resists sun-fading, ideal for most parts of the home
- Susceptible to damage from friction, be cautious when moving furniture
Acrylic- $3 to $8 per square foot
- Hypoallergenic and disliked by carpet-eating moths
- Prone to pilling, not stain resistant, and has a shorter lifespan
Cotton- $2 to $7 per square foot
- Soft and comfortable, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Susceptible to staining and fading, especially in direct sunlight
Triexta- $3 to $8 per square foot
- Eco-friendly (made partially from corn glucose)
- Stain, crush, mold, and mildew-resistant
- Requires yearly steam cleanings
Padding
Before laying the carpet, padding must be placed beneath it. While some carpet manufacturers will include padding with a carpet purchase, it may be necessary to buy padding separately for around $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot. Because padding can be made from different materials, such as fiber, foam, or nylon, costs can vary quite a bit. It’s important not to skip this step even though it’s an added cost, as padding helps protect the floors beneath the carpet. Recommended: Transform Your Garage Into a Stylish Man CaveInstallation Type
There are a few different installation types that can affect costs, as well. - Textured carpeting. This style of carpet is achieved through a cutting and looping process, resulting in a unique appearance. It is priced at $1 to $12 per square foot and offers benefits such as resistance to furniture indentations and easy maintenance. However, poorly constructed textured carpets may be prone to snagging and lack fire resistance.
- Patterned carpet. A quality patterned carpet boasts a truly distinctive and visually appealing design. It costs $2 to $6 per square foot and involves blending various materials and textures to create embossed patterns ranging from traditional to abstract styles.
- Berber carpet. With a looped construction, berber carpet provides durability. Commonly made from wool or nylon, its price ranges from $3 to $20 per square foot, depending on the materials used and any additional features. Berber carpets are well-suited for basements due to their resilience, but they can be challenging to repair in case of damage and may have a slightly rough texture.
Removing Old Carpet
If the home has existing carpet that needs removal, homeowners can expect to spend anywhere from $1 to $1.50 per square foot for removal to cover labor, cleanup, and waste disposal costs. Preparing the Subfloor
Before installing the carpet, ensuring the subfloor is in excellent condition is crucial, which may involve some preparation, repairs, or even replacement. In situations where the subfloor is damaged or aged, repairs typically average around $600, depending on the issue's extent and the affected area's size. If the subfloor needs replacement, the cost ranges from $3 to $10 per square foot.Labor
After buying carpet and padding, there are still labor costs to account for, unless the homeowner plans to tackle the installation project on their own. Carpet labor costs typically range from $0.50 to $1 per square foot for basic floor layouts, but more complex tasks like laying carpet on stairs can cost $2 to $3 per square foot.Maintenance and Long-Term Costs
To make sure homeowners can enjoy their new carpet for years to come, it’s important to stay on top of maintaining their carpet. At the very least, they will want to budget for semi-regular carpet cleaning costs ($25 to $70 per room or $0.20 to $1.00 per square foot), but may also need to re-stretch the carpet at some point to remove wrinkles ($50 to $80 per room) or repair any damages that occur (patching holes costs $150 to $225).Recommended: 15 Budgeting Tips for BeginnersCost-Saving Measures and Alternatives
Saving money on carpet installation costs can be achieved through several smart strategies.- Compare quotes. Obtain multiple quotes from different carpet installation professionals to compare prices and find the most competitive offer.
- Explore budget-friendly carpet options. Look for deals, discounts, or promotions on carpets that could work in the home. Sometimes, choosing a less expensive but durable carpet material can significantly reduce costs.
- DIY it. DIY carpet installation is worth considering. However, be sure to thoroughly research the process and understand the complexity involved to avoid potential mistakes that could end up costing more to fix.
- Jumpstart the process. Another money-saving tip is for the homeowner to remove the old carpet and prep the subfloor themself. This can save on removal and preparation costs charged by installers.
- Time it right. Consider timing the carpet installation during sales or off-peak seasons when contractors may offer better rates.
Recommended: What Are Personal Loans & Their Uses?The Takeaway
Installing a fresh set of carpet can make a home look and feel good, but it can be an expensive undertaking. Depending on the size of your home and how many areas need new carpet, it could cost you anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars.For homeowners who need help financing such a large project, it can be helpful to borrow money if they don’t have enough money saved to finance the project in cash.Two options for financing new carpet include taking out a personal loan or putting the expense on a credit card. If you want to take out a personal loan, it’s important to shop around to find the best rates. Lantern by SoFi allows you to compare multiple personal loans all in one spot, with no obligation to you.Lantern can help you compare rates and find loan offers in minutes.
Photo credit: iStock/AndreyPopov
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About the Author
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco is a personal finance writer and editor based in Southern California. While she spends the bulk of her time writing about complex financial issues, she also tackles a variety of subjects ranging from food to fashion to travel. Her work can be found across dozens of publications such as Credit Karma, LendingTree, Northwestern Mutual, The Everygirl, and Apartment Therapy.
