How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost? (2026 Guide)
Carpet installation costs about $3 to $11 per square foot with the carpet, padding and labor included [This Old House carpet installation cost guide]. For a whole job, Bob Vila reports a typical range of $785 to $2,805 and a national average of $1,772, based on Angi and HomeAdvisor data [Bob Vila carpet installation cost guide]. Homewyse's May 2026 national estimate starts at $5.27 to $7.72 per square foot [Homewyse].
The carpet itself is most of the bill. Labor is the small part, at $0.50 to $1 per square foot. Removal, stairs and moving furniture are the extras that affect the total, so ask for them as separate lines. The tables below show carpet installation costs piece by piece.
What does carpet installation cost per square foot?
Each row is a national average from a named guide. The source sits under the item.
| Part of the job | Cost |
|---|---|
| Carpet itself[Bob Vila] | $2 to $7 per sq ft typical, $1 to $20+ at the extremes |
| Padding[This Old House] | $0.75 to $2 per sq ft |
| Installation labor[Bob Vila and This Old House] | $0.50 to $1 per sq ft |
| Old carpet removal[This Old House] | $2 to $3 per sq ft |
| Old padding removal[Bob Vila] | $1.50 to $2 per sq ft |
| Moving furniture[Bob Vila] | $25 to $75 per room |
| Stairs[This Old House] | $11 to $26 extra per step |
| Subfloor repair or replacement[Bob Vila] | $600 or more |
Add them up for your room: carpet, plus padding, plus labor, plus any removal, stairs and furniture lines. None of these is a quote for your home.
Carpet installation cost by room: a simple calculator for your area.
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| 12 by 12 foot bedroom[Bob Vila] | $500 to $1,600 |
| 15 by 15 foot room, carpet at $7 per sq ft[Bob Vila worked example (225 sq ft)] | $1,575 |
| 200 square feet of carpet[This Old House] | about $750 |
To budget your own room with this simple calculator, multiply length by width to get square feet, then multiply by the price per square foot for the carpet you like. Add the padding, labor and extras from the table above.
New carpet price by material and style.
| Material | Carpet only, per sq ft |
|---|---|
| PolyesterBudget friendly. Not recommended for high-traffic areas. | $1 to $3 |
| Olefin (polypropylene)Durable, fade and moisture resistant. | $1 to $3 |
| NylonLong lasting and easy to clean. Suits kids and pets. | $2 to $5 |
| WoolDurable and resists fading. | $4 to $20 |
| SisalRough woven texture. Suits high-traffic areas. | $5 to $15 |
Source: Bob Vila carpet installation cost guide. These are carpet prices before padding and labor.
What affects carpet installation costs: size, padding, removal and stairs.
Room size and shape
The more carpet you need, the more it costs. Most carpet comes in 12 or 15 foot wide rolls, and Bob Vila says to plan 5 to 20 percent extra carpet and padding for the shape of the room.
Carpet type and pile
Material and style set most of the price. Bob Vila lists Saxony at $2 to $8 per square foot, frieze at $1 to $8, level loop at $2.78 to $5 and textured at $2 to $12. Looped and twisted styles hold up better to wear than cut pile.
Padding
Padding adds cushion and cuts sound. Bob Vila prices urethane foam at about $0.75 per square foot, bonded urethane at about $0.90 and flat rubber, the most durable type, at about $2.
Removal and disposal
Taking out the old carpet and pad is usually its own line. If you do not want to pay for it, Bob Vila says you can remove the old carpet and padding yourself to save the cost.
Stairs and landings
Stairs need more cutting and fastening, so installers charge more. Ask for a per-step price.
Subfloor condition
Problems in the old floor get fixed before carpet goes down. This Old House says extensive damage can cost $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot to remove, and replacing underlayment can run $0.50 to $5.40 per square foot.
How long does carpet installation take?
This Old House says a simple rectangular room with a sound subfloor can take as few as four hours, and a larger job can take up to a day. A whole home with nooks and irregular walls can take several days, especially if the subfloor needs repair [This Old House carpet installation cost guide].
Bob Vila says carpet typically lasts 5 to 20 years and shows wear first on stairs, in hallways and at entrances [Bob Vila carpet installation cost guide]. If you see worn spots, stains, odors, water damage or mold, replacing it is worth pricing. Carpet is also the cheapest floor to put down. For 200 square feet, This Old House compares:
| Flooring, 200 sq ft | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Carpet | $750 |
| Vinyl sheet | $2,180 |
| Hardwood | $3,530 |
| Ceramic tile | $5,800 |
Source: This Old House carpet installation cost guide. Wondering about a harder floor? See our tile flooring cost guide for tile instead of carpet.
What to check before the crew pulls up the old floor.
If carpet sits on top of old vinyl tile or sheet flooring in an older home, ask the installer to stop and check before anything is sanded or torn up. The EPA warns about asbestos risk in old flooring and says not to sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. It adds that when asbestos flooring needs replacing, installing the new floor covering over it is the better choice if possible.
Ways to save on carpet installation.
- Shop around. Bob Vila says many retailers run carpet sales in the autumn and suggests checking wholesale distributors in your area.
- Choose a durable style. Looped and twisted carpets such as Berber and frieze avoid the wear that is more common with cut styles.
- Clear the room yourself. Moving furniture and belongings saves the per-room charge and the installer's time.
- Remove the old carpet and padding yourself. Bob Vila lists this as a way to avoid the removal charge. Bag it and check how your area handles disposal.
- Do not skimp on installation. Labor is the small part of the bill, so saving a dollar a square foot on it rarely pays off if the seams or stretching go wrong.
How to get a fair estimate from a carpet installer and what to ask.
Get the scope in writing. The quote should list the carpet brand and style, the padding type, labor, old carpet and padding removal, hauling away, trim and any stair work, each on its own line.
Ask about the measurements. How many square feet did they bill for, how much extra for waste and where will the seams fall?
Ask the pro these questions. Before they start, ask the pro for their license and proof of insurance. Then ask: do they move furniture and what does it cost, how long will the job take and what happens if they find a problem in the subfloor?
Compare the scope, not just the total. A lower bid often leaves out removal, padding or stairs. Line two or three quotes up item by item before you decide.
Carpet installation cost FAQ.
How much does carpet installation cost per square foot?
This Old House reports $3 to $11 per square foot on average, with carpet material running from $1 per square foot for polyester to $20 for premium wool. Labor is only $0.50 to $1 per square foot and padding adds $0.75 to $2.
How much does it cost to carpet a bedroom?
Bob Vila puts a 12 foot by 12 foot bedroom at $500 to $1,600. A smaller room can cost more per square foot because carpet usually comes in 12 or 15 foot wide rolls and you pay for the full width.
Does the price include removing the old carpet?
Not always. Removal often comes as a separate line. This Old House says it can add $2 to $3 per square foot, and Bob Vila adds $1.50 to $2 per square foot to remove the old padding. Ask before you sign.
How long does carpet installation take?
This Old House says a simple rectangular room with a sound subfloor can take as few as four hours, and a larger job can take up to a day. A whole home with nooks and irregular walls can take several days, especially if the subfloor needs repair.
How long does carpet last?
Bob Vila says carpet typically lasts 5 to 20 years, depending on upkeep, quality and traffic. It shows its age first on stairs, in hallways and at entrances. Worn spots, stains, odors, water damage or mold are signs it is time to replace it.
Can I install carpet myself?
You can, but Bob Vila advises leaving it to a trained installer because carpet is heavy and needs to be stretched, trimmed and seamed correctly.
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