Carpet Installation Cost for Home Upgrades

Posted on September 15, 2025

So listen. Carpet. It’s like the “comfort food” of flooring. Hardwood is classy, vinyl is practical, laminate is cool… but carpet? Carpet is like mashed potatoes. Warm, cozy, soft. And honestly, sometimes you just want that squishy feeling under your toes when you roll out of bed in the morning. 😍

But yeah, the big question: how much does it cost to get carpet installed? Spoiler alert: it’s not as crazy as hardwood, but it’s not free either. Let’s dig into it (lol pun intended… like digging toes in carpet). Use our Flooring Installation Estimator to figure out your budget!

Why Even Pick Carpet in 2025?

People act like carpet is “outdated” and only belongs in grandma’s house. But no way — carpet still slaps. Here’s why:

  • Warmth: Hardwood feels cold in the winter. Carpet feels like a blanket.
  • Soundproofing: Great for apartments. Your downstairs neighbor won’t hate you.
  • Cozy vibes: Movie nights, kids playing, laying on the floor with snacks… all better with carpet.

Of course, it also stains, traps dust, and smells weird if you spill juice and forget to clean it. But hey, nothing’s perfect. Want to compare flooring options? Check out our Hardwood Flooring Cost Explained or Laminate Flooring Cost and Installation Tips.

Carpet Costs (The Real Numbers)

So here’s the breakdown:

  • Cheap carpet (olefin, polyester): $1–$2 per sq ft.
  • Mid-range carpet (nylon, better polyester): $2–$5 per sq ft.
  • Fancy carpet (wool, super plush): $5–$10+ per sq ft.
  • Padding/underlayment: $0.50–$1 per sq ft.
  • Installation labor: $1–$3 per sq ft.

So for a 300 sq ft bedroom: Cheap = ~$1,200 total. Mid-range = ~$1,800 total. Fancy plush stuff = $3,000+. Not tooooo bad compared to hardwood. Use our Home Renovation Calculator to get exact numbers.

Hidden Costs People Forget

Because life is never simple:

  • Old carpet removal/disposal: $1 per sq ft.
  • Furniture moving: $50–$150 (or bribe your friends).
  • Stairs: Always more expensive (they charge by step, sometimes $15–$30 each).
  • Extra padding upgrade: Totally worth it, but costs more.

Suddenly your “$1,200” project is like $1,600. Sneaky. Plan for these with our DIY Project Planner.

Quick Cost Table

Carpet TypeMaterial (300 sq ft)PaddingLaborTotal Cost
Cheap Polyester$600$200$600$1,400
Mid-range Nylon$1,200$200$600$2,000
Fancy Wool$2,100$200$600$2,900

So yeah, mid-range carpet = sweet spot. Want precise costs? Try our Flooring Installation Estimator.

DIY Carpet Installation: Should You Try?

Okay… I’ll be real. Carpet DIY is not easy. It’s not like laminate click-together planks. You need:

  • A knee kicker (lol it’s a real tool).
  • A power stretcher.
  • A carpet cutter.
  • Lots of patience and possibly a chiropractor after.

Like, technically you could DIY if you’re really stubborn, but carpet installation pros exist for a reason. I’d honestly pay for labor on this one. If you’re brave, plan it out with our Timeline Project Scheduler.

Carpet vs. Other Floors

Here’s my hot take:

  • Carpet is best for bedrooms and basements (cozy vibes).
  • Hardwood is best for living rooms (show-off vibes).
  • Vinyl/laminate is best for kitchens (spill-friendly vibes).

Don’t put carpet in bathrooms. Just… don’t. Wet carpet smells like sadness. Curious about other options? See our Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost Guide.

Tips to Save Money

Some ways to keep your wallet happy:

  • Shop carpet remnants. Stores sell leftover rolls from bigger projects for cheap.
  • Install in off-season. Carpet guys get busy in spring/summer. Try fall/winter.
  • DIY furniture moving. Don’t pay someone $150 to move your couch when you’ve got arms.
  • Pick cheaper padding. But not too cheap — you’ll regret thin padding.

Need help budgeting? Our Home Renovation Calculator can crunch the numbers.

My Personal Carpet Story

So when I was a kid, my parents redid the carpet in our living room. We picked this light beige carpet because it looked “fancy.” Big mistake. Within a week, there were juice stains, dog paw prints, and one suspicious ketchup blob (my fault, sorry mom). Moral of the story: don’t get light carpet if you have kids or pets. Or if you’re clumsy. Or basically if you’re a human being.

Random Thoughts While Writing This

Carpet in movie theaters always feels sticky. Why. The smell of new carpet is weirdly nice and chemical-y at the same time. Walking barefoot on fresh carpet = instant serotonin. Whoever invented shag carpet must’ve been feeling brave.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Cozy and warm.
  • Cheaper than hardwood.
  • Soundproof-ish.
  • Good for bedrooms/basements.

Cons:

  • Stains easily.
  • Traps dust and allergens.
  • Hard to clean compared to hard floors.
  • Can smell weird if old.

Want to see if carpet boosts your home’s value? Use our ROI Calculator.

FAQ: Carpet Questions (Kid-Style)

How much does carpet cost per square foot?

Like $2–$5 for decent stuff. Add $1–$3 for labor. Check our Flooring Installation Estimator for your space.

Can I put carpet in a kitchen?

Um, no. Unless you love moldy spaghetti stains. Try our Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost Guide for kitchen-friendly floors.

Is carpet good for pets?

Depends. Pets love it. Your vacuum will hate it. Use our DIY Project Planner to plan pet-friendly upgrades.

How long does carpet last?

Usually 5–15 years, depending on traffic and how many times you spill coffee. Budget replacements with our Home Renovation Calculator.

Is carpet out of style?

Nah. Hardwood is trendy, but carpet is still loved in bedrooms. See if it’s worth it with our ROI Calculator.

Can I install carpet myself?

You can try. But unless you enjoy wrestling giant rolls of fluff, maybe don’t. Plan with our Timeline Project Scheduler.