Carpet Replacement Cost Range
The cost of carpet replacement is typically between $6.25 to $9.50 per square foot, when installed by a local carpet company. The price varies depending on several factors such as the size of the areas, the type of new carpet being installed, and the extent of your installation.
Average Cost
The average cost have wall to carpeting installed or replaced in your home is 7.85 per square foot. For do-it-yourself homeowners, you can expect the replacement cost to be around $3.25 – $6.20 / square foot, and when hiring a professional carpet installer to handle the installation, between $6.25 to $9.50 per square foot. Professional installation typically includes the cost of the carpet, new padding, installation supplies, replacement trim if needed, and removal and disposal of your old carpet. Adding stairs to the project will increase the cost slightly.
Overview of Having New Carpet Installed
Carpet used to be priced by the square yard, though now that’s less common. If we use that metric, a square yard being 9 square feet, then carpet cost is $30 – $115 per square yard. That’s a wide range, and carpet cost factors are explained below.
New and replacement carpet remains the most common flooring type in most homes. It is chosen for its affordability and the huge range of color and style options. Some homeowners like carpet because it costs less than hardwood or LVP and gives them the opportunity to replace it in 7-10 years and get a new look for their home.
For comfort under your feet, carpet is unsurpassed. Plus, new lines of low-VOC carpeting, padding and adhesive make it a healthy choice for indoor air quality assuming you plan regular carpet cleaning service. That said, carpet isn’t the easiest DIY flooring project for homeowners, but it is an option for those with the right tools and skills to handle the installation.
This carpet replacement cost estimate covers retail carpet prices, installation cost and more. Cost factors allow you to narrow your carpet cost estimate based on the type you’re choosing and installation factors.
Signs You Need Carpet Replacement
There are many reasons to replace the carpet in your home.
- Outdated Color or Style: Like the pink carpet pictured above, maybe you’ve just become tired of the color or want a new style installed.
- Worn-Out Appearance: Excessive matting, flat spots, visible stains, exposed threads or faded spots.
- Persistent Odors: Lingering smells despite thorough or repeated cleaning efforts.
- Allergies or Respiratory Issues: Frequent allergies or breathing issues from airborne particles.
- Age of the Carpet: Carpets older than 10 years often require replacement, especially in higher traffic areas
- Water Damage: Mold, mildew, or water stains from leaks or flooding, even if remediation efforts have been completed.
Carpet Replacement Cost Factors
Carpet can be surprisingly cheap, and you get what you pay for – a carpeting that might give you 5-7 years of reasonable wear. It can also be stunningly expensive – in the $25+ per square foot range for woven wools with intricate dye patterns.
But most homeowners choose carpet in the range of $3.25 to $12.50 per square foot. You have a lot of options there for basic, better and best carpet. This carpet cost factors list below, begins with factors related to the material and the covers installation cost factors.
Carpet Material
Plastics like polyester (Polyethylene terephthalate or P.E.T.), polypropylene/olefin and nylon are more affordable than natural fibers like cotton, wool and sisal.
Carpet Weight
Also called Face Weight, this is the weight in ounces of the material used to make the carpet. The weight of the backing is not included. The higher the weight, the denser or plusher the carpet. More material means a nicer carpet and a higher cost. Pro Tip: If you take two 40-ounce carpets, the one that has the shorter pile will feel plusher than one with taller pile. Keep that weight/height balance in mind.
Low-VOC Carpet
High demand for “safe” carpet is making it more available and lowering its price, but you’ll still pay a small premium for carpet that is better for IAQ.
The Padding you Choose
Just like carpet, padding is made in basic, better and best grades. If you want a plusher feel, buy a weightier pad. If you want low-VOC padding, it’s available too. You’ll pay more for plush, safe padding.
Carpet Treatments
These include Scotchgard and similar stain-resistant treatments, Microban and other anti-bacterial coatings, odor-capturing treatments like SureFresh and others. Treatments raise cost, but not a lot, so they are worth considering especially when it comes time to clean your carpets and you find it easier to do.
Removal and Disposal of Old Carpet
This is the first in the list of carpet cost factors related to installation. Specific carpet removal costs are listed below.
Layout of the House and Rooms
Carpet installation cost is lower in home’s with open floor plans because it goes faster than when installing it in many separate rooms and hallways.
Trimming
This is a minor issue, but trimming around a fireplace hearth, posts, built-out shelving and similar features can raise carpet replacement cost estimates.
Stairs
Stairs are usually estimated separately from floors. Expect estimates of $20 to $50 per stair for installing carpeting on stairs. It is time-consuming labor when done properly.
Subfloor Issues
Best case scenario is that the O.S.B. or plywood subfloor is in good condition. And in most homes, there are no problems. However, if warping, rot or insect damage has occurred, the subfloor will need to be repaired or replaced at a cost of $1.50 to $3.00+ per square foot above the costs listed in this carpet installation cost guide.
Square Feet Installed
The cost per square foot will be higher if you are carpeting a single bedroom than if you are replacing carpet throughout your home. This is because the installers travel time and fuel costs are spread over a greater number of square feet.
Moving Furniture
Depending on room size and how cluttered it is, the charge to clear a room ranges from $15-$50 per room.
Cost of Carpet, Padding and Installation Supplies
Whether you plan DIY carpet installation or just like to know where your money goes, this carpet price list will be useful. It includes average costs for the most popular carpet types plus supplies and tools.
Carpet Cost by Style | Retail and Installed Cost Range
This table provides an overview of various carpet types, along with their estimated retail and installed costs per square foot. These figures are approximate averages and may vary based on factors specific to your replacement project, your home, any additional services, and installation requirements.
| Carpet Type | Retail Cost / Sqft | Installed Cost / Sqft |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | $1.50 – $5.00 | $3.50 – $7.00 |
| Axminster | $6.00 – $25.00 | $10.00 – $30.00 |
| Berber | $3.00 – $10.00 | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Cable | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Coir | $3.00 – $14.00 | $5.00 – $16.00 |
| Cotton | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Cut and Loop Pile | $2.00 – $6.00 | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Felt | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Frieze Twist | $3.00 – $10.00 | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| High-Low Loop Pile | $3.00 – $10.00 | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Industrial | $3.00 – $12.00 | $5.00 – $15.00 |
| Jute | $4.00 – $18.00 | $6.00 – $20.00 |
| Level Loop Pile | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Loop Pile | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Multi-Level Loop Pile | $3.00 – $10.00 | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Nylon | $1.50 – $5.00 | $3.50 – $8.00 |
| Olefin | $1.00 – $3.00 | $2.50 – $6.00 |
| Patterned | $3.00 – $10.00 | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Plush | $3.00 – $12.00 | $5.00 – $14.00 |
| Polyester | $1.00 – $4.00 | $3.00 – $7.00 |
| Saxony | $3.00 – $12.00 | $5.00 – $14.00 |
| Saxony Twist | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Sculptured | $2.00 – $8.00 | $4.00 – $10.00 |
| Seagrass | $4.00 – $18.00 | $6.00 – $20.00 |
| Shag | $4.00 – $15.00 | $6.00 – $16.00 |
| Sisal | $4.00 – $18.00 | $6.00 – $20.00 |
| Textured | $3.00 – $12.00 | $5.00 – $14.00 |
| Triexta | $2.00 – $6.00 | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Velvet | $4.00 – $18.00 | $7.00 – $22.00 |
| Wilton | $5.00 – $20.00 | $8.00 – $25.00 |
| Wool | $5.00 – $15.00 | $8.00 – $20.00 |
Carpet Padding Cost by Type | Retail and Installed Cost Range
This table gives you an idea of the various types of carpet padding available, as well as their retail and installed cost range.
| Padding Type | Retail Cost / Sqft | Installed Cost / Sqft |
|---|---|---|
| Felt Pad | $0.70 – $1.20 | $1.00 – $1.75 |
| Fiber Pad | $0.50 – $0.90 | $0.75 – $1.25 |
| Foam Pad | $0.30 – $0.50 | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Memory Foam Pad | $1.50 – $3.00 | $2.00 – $3.50 |
| Prime Urethane Pad | $0.70 – $1.30 | $1.00 – $1.75 |
| Rebond Pad | $0.50 – $1.00 | $0.75 – $1.25 |
| Rubber Pad | $1.00 – $2.00 | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Urethane Pad | $0.80 – $1.50 | $1.25 – $2.00 |
| Waffle Rubber Pad | $0.80 – $1.30 | $1.25 – $2.00 |
| Wool Pad | $1.00 – $1.50 | $1.50 – $2.00 |
Tools and Installation Supplies Cost
If you’re considering doing the carpet replacement yourself, you’ll need tools and installation supplies to go along with the carpet and padding. This table shows the most common tool and supplies, as well as their approximate cost range.
| Tool or Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Carpet Adhesive or Tape | $5 – $30 |
| Carpet Cleaning Supplies | $5 – $50 |
| Carpet Gripper Strips | $1 – $3/linear ft |
| Carpet Padding | $0.30 – $1.50/sq ft |
| Carpet Seam Roller | $5 – $20 |
| Carpet Trimmer | $10 – $30 |
| Carpet Tucker | $5 – $15 |
| Dust Mask | $5 – $20 |
| Knee Kicker | $20 – $100 |
| Measuring Tape | $5 – $20 |
| Power Stretcher | $100 – $500 |
| Safety Gloves | $5 – $15 |
| Staple Gun | $15 – $30 |
| Tack Strips | $1 – $3/linear ft |
| Utility Knife | $5 – $20 |
| Work Gloves | $5 – $20 |
Carpet Replacement Costs by Room
The table below shares the most common rooms found in your home, along with the average cost to replace the carpet. While it’s uncommon, we included the kitchen and bathroom.
| Room | Dimensions | Sqft | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | 5′ x 7′ | 35 Sqft | $90 – $300 |
| Dining Room | 12′ x 14′ | 168 Sqft | $420 – $1,000 |
| Family Room | 14′ x 18′ | 252 Sqft | $630 – $1,500 |
| Game Room | 12′ x 20′ | 240 Sqft | $600 – $1,400 |
| Home Office | 10′ x 12′ | 120 Sqft | $300 – $750 |
| Kitchen | 12′ x 16′ | 192 Sqft | $480 – $1,200 |
| Large Bedroom | 16′ x 20′ | 320 Sqft | $800 – $1,800 |
| Living Room | 16′ x 20′ | 320 Sqft | $800 – $1,800 |
| Medium Bedroom | 12′ x 12′ | 144 Sqft | $400 – $900 |
| Small Bedroom | 10′ x 10′ | 100 Sqft | $250 – $600 |
Carpet Removal and Disposal Cost
Expect estimates of $1.00-$2.00 per square foot to remove and dispose of old carpet. For a 16×20-foot bedroom, that’s $320 – $640. Save that cash by pulling up the carpet yourself.
Cut the old carpet into sections about 3 feet by 12 feet. Roll it up and wrap duct tape around the rolls. Then place them in your trash bin or garbage bags. Do the same with the padding. If you have a house full of old carpet and padding, it’s not uncommon to rent a small dumpster for disposal.
If you pay a monthly fee for trash pickup and spread disposing the carpet and pad over weeks or months, your extra cost can be $0.
After the carpet and pad are removed, use a pliers to pull out all staples and a screwdriver or prybar to remove all tack strip. Vacuum the room, and your installer will be impressed with your prep for the new pad and carpet.
Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time
Permits and Inspection Cost
- $0 | No permit is needed for carpet replacement/installation.
Labor Costs and Installation Time
Some big box stores offer “free” installation or a set fee of “$99” or similar regardless of how much carpet is installed.
While not exactly a scam, there’s no such thing as free installation. The cost is simply rolled into the total project cost.
- $1.25 – $2.50 per square foot | Labor cost to install carpet.
Expert carpet installers get the job done with rapid precision that is fun to watch.
- 1-2 Hours | Carpet replacement in a single room
- 6-8 Hours | A 2-person crew installing 1,000 square feet of carpet
- 3-4 Hours | Installing carpet on a set of stairs
Where to Buy Carpet and Find Installers
The most popular places you can buy carpet and find quality installers are shown below. The pricing is going to vary based on their demand, the size of their business and many other factors.
Local Carpet Stores: Independent carpet stores and local flooring retailers often offer a wide selection of carpets, personalized service, and professional installation. The easiest way to find the carpet stores closet to you is by opening your favorite search engine and searching for “carpet stores near me”.
Big Box Stores: Large home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards typically have a variety of carpet options available and also offer installation services through their network of preapproved carpet installation companies.
Specialty Flooring Stores: Specialty flooring stores may focus exclusively on carpets or offer a range of flooring options, providing specialized knowledge and unique products.
Wholesale Distributors: Wholesale distributors supply carpets to retailers and sometimes sell directly to consumers at discounted rates. Near me in Charlotte, we’ve bought directly from Carpet Discount Warehouse in the past, and hired installers as a separate cost.
Local Installers or Contractors: Carpet installers or contractors may sell carpets directly or have partnerships with carpet suppliers, offering competitive prices and installation services.
Related Projects
Are You a Pro Carpet Installer?
If so, head over to our Costimates Pro’s page, and help us make this page better and more accurate for both our visitors and your future customers.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
We don’t recommend doing it yourself for two reasons.
First, the labor portion of the total cost is just 10-25% depending on cost factors.
Secondly, a poorly installed job won’t look good for long if it ever does. Shortly, it might come loose at the edges or seams. If not properly stretched and fitted, it could become loose in the middle of the floor.
Most installers charge far more to “fix” a bad job than to install carpet.
However, if you want to DIY, watch a few tutorials to get a solid grip on how it is done. Pay careful attention to seaming the carpet because that’s where mistakes can be glaring. Hide seams where furniture will be placed whenever possible. Take your time, measure twice and cut once and all those general DIY rules.
Reviewed and edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates
Steve Hansen, that's me, the Senior Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about myself and our team) I'm an avid home improvement professional with more than 37 years experience working on all types of residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.
"Like most homeowners, I was frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific home improvement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possible about various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."