How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?

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Carpet Installation Cost

Carpet installation costs, on average, $700 to $2,000 to redo an area up to 200 square feet. Carpet material prices average $2.50 per square foot, or $10 per yard. Underneath padding costs about $0.60 per square foot. Competitive flooring retailers offer free installation service with your carpet purchase.

NOTE: The beginning half of 2021 has seen an unprecedented labor shortage as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with this, demand for materials and construction jobs has skyrocketed. As a result, material prices may be higher than those reported in this article, and lead times may be longer than usual for both labor and materials.

Carpet Cost Per Square Foot/Yard

On average, carpet costs $2.50 per square foot, and that price can range between $0.65 and $12 per square foot, or around $10 per square yard. The price can vary depending on the material, weave and pile style. Read more about those below.

Carpet Tile Cost

Peel and stick carpet tile costs average $2.25 per square foot. Commercial-use carpet tiles can range from as little as $0.94 cents per 2 square feet to $47 per square foot.

Carpet Cost Per Material

Carpet costs vary among retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. For the best price, compare online catalogs with your local flooring showroom and flooring contractor. Wool, polyester, nylon and olefin are the most common carpeting options respectively. If you’re unsure which material is right for your home, you can request free samples to compare at home.

Natural fibers, like wool, are more expensive than synthetic materials like polyester or olefin. Affordable fiber blends, like polyester, may be mildew-resistant but usually contain a higher level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

NOTE: Carpet and padding materials can emit VOCs. Wool selections may be low- or no-VOC. Shop for carpeting latex backing. Talk to your flooring contractor about how to reduce your family’s exposure to VOCs after installation and make sure that you’re choosing the best type of flooring for you.

Wool Carpet Cost

Wool carpeting is the most expensive fiber type, averaging $7.50 per square foot. It’s best for low- to moderate-traffic areas depending on the weave. Wool may be prone to color fading in direct sunlight. It quickly accumulates static and absorbs water, making it prone to mold and mildew. Cleaning and caring for this material may be more expensive too.

You may be able to find alternative natural fiber carpeting, such as cotton, sisal or jute, but these are more common in rugs. Ask your contractor about their natural fiber carpet selection.

Polyester Carpet Cost

Polyester carpeting is affordable, averaging about $2 per square foot. It’s great at blocking stains, moisture, mildew and mold. This makes it perfect for basements. However, its slip also makes it less durable in high-traffic areas.

Nylon Carpet Cost

Nylon carpeting costs around $3.50 per square foot. You may get the highest return on your carpet investment with nylon. It’s perhaps the most durable carpeting material and suitable for high-traffic areas.

Triexta is a new, slightly more expensive, alternative to nylon. It is marketed as more eco-friendly and stain-resistant than nylon, but it may be too soon to claim that as definite. Ask your flooring contractor about triexta carpet samples and benefits.

Olefin (Polypropylene) Carpet Cost

Olefin carpeting is among the least expensive materials, costing just $2 per square foot. It’s best installed in low- to moderate-traffic areas since it matts down quickly and attracts oils.

Carpet Cost Per Style

Texture/Cut Pile Carpet Cost

Textured, cut pile carpet is the most common style and costs $2 to $4 per square foot on average. Textured carpet is tall, plush and comparable to a short-haired shag rug or tapestry. It’s relatively durable although prone to fraying. Taller piles are more expensive and best for low-traffic bedrooms.

Patterned Carpet Cost

Patterned carpet, which creates an almost embossed look, costs $2 to $6 per square foot. Carpet patterns can be abstract or traditional and be mono-texture or multi-texture, using multiple fiber types or loop styles.

Berber Carpet Cost

Berber carpet is durable enough for both home and commercial use and averages $5.50 per square foot. This tightly-looped weave is perfect for high-traffic areas.

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Carpet Installation Prices

Big box carpet retailers offer installation services for free with a qualifying purchase, such as brand or minimum square yardage. Otherwise, installation service professionals may charge $0.99 to $6 per square foot. Compare quotes from a few local flooring installers to get the best price.

WARNING: VOC odors can be harmful to humans. Before re-entering your house after new carpet installation, you need to wait at least 72 hours after to allow VOC odors to dissipate.

Carpet Replacement Cost

Replacing old carpet with new costs about $10 to $20 per square foot. This includes the cost to remove old carpet and padding, scrape and level the subfloor and install new padding and carpet.