2021 Carpet Installation Cost Guide
One of the biggest questions anybody has before making a big purchase is “What does it cost?” With carpet and carpet tiles, it’s no different. That’s why we put together this handy guide for understanding carpet cost and carpet installation cost.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or replacing an old carpet, the cost is going to be one of the most important factors when buying carpet. To help you meet your budget, we crunched the numbers to find you the best deal.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or replacing an old carpet, the cost is going to be one of the most important factors when buying carpet. To help you meet your budget, we crunched the numbers to find you the best deal.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Carpet?
The cost of carpet depends on many different factors. Some brands cater to more commercial uses (which are often cheaper) and others offer residential carpet. The type of fiber can also dramatically change the price of the carpet. Not only that, but the type of carpet also determines carpet cost.
Let’s have a more in-depth look at these factors. Later, we’ll add the installation cost so you’ll have a rough budget estimate.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t factor in carpet removal, baseboards, or any other fees or additional items.
Let’s have a more in-depth look at these factors. Later, we’ll add the installation cost so you’ll have a rough budget estimate.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t factor in carpet removal, baseboards, or any other fees or additional items.
Carpet Cost by Brand:
The brand of carpet you buy can have a big effect on what the cost of your carpet is.For example, Mohawk and Shaw have more residential type carpets with higher quality fibers and piles. These brands might run more expensive than a more commercial brand.
Be sure you pick the brand that fits your needs.
| Brand Name | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foss | |||
| Joy Carpets | |||
| Mohawk | |||
| Shaw | |||
| Anderson Tuftex | |||
| Pentz | |||
| Masland | |||
| EF Contract |
Carpet Cost by Type:
As you might know, there are several types of carpet. There are carpet rolls, carpet tiles, and even carpet planks.Each type can be varied in cost. For example, a carpet roll is often less expensive than carpet tiles per sqft, though this isn’t always the case.
| Carpet Type | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet Roll | |||
| Carpet Tile | |||
| Carpet Plank | |||
| Rugs |
Carpet Cost by Fiber:
When it comes to carpet fibers, there’s not a huge cost difference between them. Wool fibers are considered a luxury, and you probably won’t find wool carpets easily. It’s considered one of the most expensive carpet fibers. On the opposite end, olefin is used in a lot of commercial carpets and is considered one of the least expensive fibers.In between those two, we have other synthetic carpet fibers like nylon and polyester types. These have similar price comparisons, so you won’t find a wide range of prices between them. Plus, they’re also the two most common fibers for residential flooring.
| Fiber Type | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester | |||
| Nylon | |||
| Polypropylene | |||
| Olefin |
Carpet Padding Cost
Carpet tiles and planks don’t often need padding underneath, but broadloom carpet rolls must always have padding. Unless you buy carpet that comes with padding pre-attached, like Air.o, you’ll need to buy it separately.Here’s the price range you can expect:
| Low | Average | High | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet Padding |
Total Average Carpet Installation Cost:
According to HomeAdvisor, the national average labor costs for carpet installation is “$0.50 to $1 per square foot.” Combine that with the cost of your carpet and you get your total estimate!
| $0.50/sqft | $0.75/sqft | $1.00/sqft | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Installation 100sqft | $50.00 | $75.00 | $100.00 |
Cost of Specialty Carpet:
Some carpets come with extra features that make them more durable or easy to take care of. This saves you a lot of hassle. For these specialty carpets, the price may differ from the standard carpet options.
We have all types of carpet, including some specialty carpet, so let’s break down the cost!
We have all types of carpet, including some specialty carpet, so let’s break down the cost!
| Specialty Carpet | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Theater Carpet | |||
| Outdoor Carpet | |||
| Stainmaster Carpet |
Additional Carpet Installation Costs:
To get the best carpeting cost estimate, you also need to consider some additional cost factors you may not have thought of.
- Molding: To keep your flooring looking sharp, you might need to replace or add molding to the room. Depending on the size of the room, and the type of molding you need, the cost can add up.
- Carpet Removal: If you’re replacing an older carpet, remember to factor in the cost of removal. Depending on who is doing the install, the cost could range between $6.50 - $8 /sqft (source)
FAQs:
Does my carpet need padding?
For a soft, durable carpet, underlayment or carpet padding is essential. Underlayments increase the longevity of your carpet and also make it comfortable to walk on.
Can I install carpet myself?
It depends. If you are installing carpet tiles or planks, then absolutely! You can install it yourself. However, unless you are experienced in installing carpet rolls, we suggest you leave it to the professionals. Broadloom carpet is installed using more complicated methods and special tools like knee kickers and power stretchers.
Should I buy carpet tiles or broadloom carpet?
It depends on your budget. Carpet tile is great because you save money on installation and you can easily replace a tile if one becomes damaged. Broadloom is less expensive per square foot, but you’ll probably need to hire someone to install it.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide gives you a good idea of what to budget for when purchasing a carpet. Shopping for and installing carpet doesn't have to be expensive or scary if you've got all the information within reach. Now that you have the facts, are you ready to get started?
