The Ultimate Cheap Carpet Buying Guide For Every Homeowner

When it comes time to replace your carpet you want to find the best deal available. Sometimes buying cheap carpet is the answer but you need to know how to find the best deals so you don’t have to worry about replacing your carpet in just a few years. This cheap carpet buying guide will help you get the best quality carpet for the lowest price.

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Angi

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Carpet Installation

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How to Find the Best Cheap Carpet Deals

Some people have a knack for sniffing out a good deal, and you can too with a few tips. It can cost thousands of dollars to carpet a house, so if you know what to look for, you can save money on this renovation project. Keep in mind that the average cost to carpet two bedrooms runs around $5,600 to $9,600. To re-carpet three bedrooms, it costs around $10,500 to $18,000, and carpeting four bedrooms can run from $14,000 to $24,000.

Look at Fibers

The type of fiber you choose for your carpet will determine how much you end up spending on the project. Wool tops the list at $10 per square foot, Triexta typically runs $4 per square foot while nylon checks in at $2.50 a square foot, polyester is $2 per square foot and Olefin is the cheapest carpet option at $1.50 per square foot.

Find Durable Styles

There are several different carpet styles, so getting to know the different types will give you an advantage when seeking the best deal. Pay attention to the twist of the fiber and how it’s cut.

1. Berbers

Berber-style carpet typically costs less than other styles but remains a strong option for carpet durability. Berber carpets do not get the tips of the loops sheared off, which makes it cheaper. Since the loop remains, it makes the carpet stronger.

2. Frieze

Frieze carpet has longer fibers and a higher twist level to make it one of the more durable carpet styles. Since the fibers are longer, the side of the fiber takes on most of the use versus just the top of the carpet fiber.

3. Avoid Cut and Loop Styles

Cut and loop style carpet runs more expensive than other styles because it combines looped fabric and cut fiber. The style allows for different design options but since it has cut fiber, it becomes less durable. The longer cut fibers tend to bend or untwist, leading it to cover the looped fabric.

Pay Attention to Carpet Underpads

Underpads can provide better performance for low-quality carpet because their durability can help compensate for a carpet’s lack of durability. Bonded polyurethane foam is a good carpet underpad option.

Consider All-in-One Options

An easy way to save money on carpet is to choose an option that combines the carpet and underpad. The underpad comes attached to the carpet and will save you money because you don’t have to purchase both separately.

How to Find Carpet Deals Tips

Installing new carpet has an average cost of $1,250 for 140 square feet with nylon carpet. At the low end, that number drops to $650 but at the high end it can go up to nearly $2,000. Most often, the difference in prices comes from the carpet material. The cost to replace carpet can range from $3.50 to $11 per square foot.

Cheap Carpet Options

1. Carpet Tiles

Finding enough carpet tiles to completely cover a room can be tough, but you can also save a lot of money if you can pull it off. Carpet tiles usually cost $1 to $2 per square foot, which puts it near the bottom of cheap carpet options. Plus, some might not need a carpet pad underneath. Carpet pads typically run between $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot, so those savings can add up.

2. Industrial Carpet

Industrial carpet isn’t going to win you any style points but it ranks among the most durable because of its tight, level loops. It’s great for high traffic areas and is easy to clean.

3. Nylon

Nylon is among the most popular carpet fiber options at $2.50 per square foot. It doesn’t crush, fade or stain.

4. Triexta

Triexta is a synthetic fiber that runs around $4 per square foot. It’s more durable than polyester but runs a little more expensive.

5. Polyester

Polyester carpet costs about $2 per square foot and remains a popular carpet option. It’s a good stain resistant carpet option.

6. Wool

Wool carpet ranks toward the more expensive carpet options at $10 per square foot. Wool does have the drawback of its absorbency and its lower durability.

7. Olefin

Olefin is a synthetic fiber typically used in outdoor rugs and carpets. It costs around $1.50 per square foot and resists caustic materials well, but it’s less durable than other carpet options.

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1

Angi

Task Type

Carpet Installation

Estimation Fee

None, Free Estimates

Response Time

Excellent

1

Angi

Get A Free Quote

On Angi’s Website

Cheapest Place To Buy Carpet

A trusted, local retailer might help you find a good deal on carpet but they might not match the lower prices of bigger retailers. Do some due diligence, pay attention to sales and also keep in mind that larger retailers will tack on delivery fees and other costs. Be sure to check the quality of the carpet by pressing a finger into it. Pay attention to how quickly it springs back. The quicker the carpet returns to form is a good indicator of its resiliency.

Best Place to Buy Carpet

In the past, the best place to buy carpet was large retailers. Online carpet options have increased, but you’ll have to know what you’re looking for since there isn’t anyone to help you pick online like there is when you visit a store. Big box stores are a top place to buy carpet but those stores will try to sneak in added fees.

When to Buy Carpet

Like with most home improvement projects, installing new carpet has a peak season that can be advantageous for buyers. But homeowners can also find carpet deals during the offseason, too. Retailers tend to advertise sales in late spring and early winter.

Carpet retailers and installers see an uptick at those times because people prepare for hosting during the holidays or put their recent tax refund toward the project. Buying carpet outside those times could result in a deal and likely more flexibility for carpet installers.

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What to Know About Carpet Installers

Unless you feel comfortable installing carpet and renting equipment like a carpet stretcher, you’ll likely seek out a carpet installer. Beware that if you find a deal on carpet from a retailer, some carpet installers won’t install the carpet unless you purchase it through them. Should you buy carpet from a carpet installer, you can expect a 50 to 75% markup on materials.

Cheap Carpet Installers Nearby

The best way to find a carpet installer nearby is to ask a carpet retailer for a referral. Most retailers have established relationships with carpet installers and can help you find the best carpet installer. Sometimes those carpet retailers can find you savings with carpet installers they have worked with in the past.

Questions to Ask Carpet Installers

Some basic questions to ask a carpet installer before hiring them include:

  1. Will they install carpet purchased from a retailer?
  2. What kind of discounts do you provide for multi-room projects?
  3. What kind of estimate can you give me?

As with most home projects, ask friends who they have worked with in the past and get their impressions.

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