9,127+ 
2018 Carpet Installation Cost Guide
At the end of the day, money talks, right? One of the biggest questions anybody has before making a big purchase is “What does it cost?” With carpet and carpet tiles, it’s no different. That’s why we put together this handy guide for understanding carpet cost and carpet installation cost. We’ve got your back.
Let’s look at the top three questions about carpet installation:
- What does carpet installation cost for a whole house?
- How much does carpeting cost for one room?
- How much does replacing carpet cost?
What do all three questions have in common?
They’re all about cost. Ding ding ding.
Obviously, cost is going to be one of the most important factors when buying carpet. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, or replacing old carpet, we crunched the numbers to find you the best deal.
No need to bust that budget, we got your carpet installation cost calculated.
Related Content >> The Ultimate Carpet Buying Guide
How Much Does it Cost to Install Carpet?
Okay, these are the numbers you want. I’m estimating the cost of carpet based on 1000 square feet. Later, we’ll add the installation cost so you’ll have a rough budget estimate.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t factor in carpet removal, baseboards, or any other fees or additional items.
Carpet Cost by Brand:
| Brand Name | Average Cost by Sqft | Low | Average | High |
| Foss | $1.69 | $1695.00 | $1695.00 | $1695.00 |
| Joy Carpets | $2.98 | $2150.00 | $2980.00 | $4100.00 |
| Mohawk | $2.02 | $920.00 | $2020.00 | $3360.00 |
| Phenix | $2.53 | $930.00 | $2530.00 | $4130.00 |
| Shaw | $3.73 | $2040.00 | $3730.00 | $7380.00 |
| Beaulieu | $1.71 | $890.00 | $1710.00 | $2540.00 |
Carpet Cost by Style:
| Style Type | Average Cost by Sqft | Low | Average | High |
| Berber | $3.30 | $890.00 | $3300.00 | $7380.00 |
| Pattern | $3.60 | $1490.00 | $3600.00 | $7210.00 |
| Texture | $2.57 | $930.00 | $2570.00 | $4300.00 |
| Twist | $2.02 | $920.00 | $2020.00 | $3360.00 |
Carpet Cost by Fiber:
| Fiber Type | Average Cost by Sqft | Low | Average | High |
| Polyester | $2.01 | $890.00 | $2010.00 | $3400.00 |
| Nylon | $3.73 | $1750.00 | $3730.00 | $7380.00 |
| Polypropylene | $2.94 | $2040.00 | $2940.00 | $5170.00 |
| Olefin | $1.70 | $1570.00 | $1700.00 | $2220.00 |
Total Average Carpet Installation Cost:
The national average of labor costs for carpet installation is between $1 – $3 per square foot. With my math magics, I got your total estimate!
| Cost of 1000 sqft New Carpet Installed | Low | Average | High |
| Cost of Carpet | $1364.64 | $3323.92 | $4544.64 |
| Cost of Installation | $1000.00 | $1500.00 | $3000.00 |
| Total Cost | $2364.64 | $4823.92 | $7544.64 |
Related Content >> 2019 Carpet Trends
Carpet Installation Cost of Specialty Carpet:
Now sometimes, you’re not looking for a standard carpet. Besides, carpet has more than one great use. Because we have all types of carpet, including some specialty carpet, let’s break down the cost of these cool carpets by 1000 square feet.
Then, since you know you labor costs above, feel free to add it in to get a total estimate.
| Specialty Carpet | Average Cost by Sqft | Low | Average | High |
| Home Theater | $3.78 | $2150.00 | $3780.00 | $6980.00 |
| Outdoor Carpet | $2.55 | $970.00 | $2550.00 | $5170.00 |
| Waterproof Carpet | $6.81 | $6250.00 | $6810.00 | $7380.00 |
| Carpet Tiles | $3.97 | $970.00 | $3970.00 | $6970.00 |
What Affects Carpeting Cost?
There are several factors that go into pricing carpet. Some brands cater to more commercial uses and others offer residential carpet. The type of fiber can also dramatically change the price of carpet. Not only that, but the style of carpet also determines carpet cost.
Let’s have a more in-depth look at these factors.
Carpet Brands
The brand of carpet you buy can have a big effect on what the cost of your carpet is.
For example, Stainmaster or air.o branded carpet has properties included that make it more durable than other types of carpet. The same is true for carpets that are branded as LifeGuard or LifeProof.
Even more broadly, Mohawk and Shaw have more residential type carpets with higher quality fibers and piles. These brands might run more expensive than a more commercial brand.
Be sure you pick the brand that fits your needs.
Carpet Fibers
When it comes to carpet fibers, there’s not a huge cost difference between them. If you take a look at our Ultimate Carpet Buying Guide, you’ll see that most carpet fibers have similar costs.
Wool fibers and considered luxury, and you probably won’t find wool carpet easily. It’s considered one of the most expensive carpet fibers.
On the opposite end, Olefin is used in a lot of commercial carpets and is considered one of the least expensive fibers.
In between those two, we have other synthetic carpet fibers like Nylon and Polyester types. These have similar price comparisons, so you won’t find a wide range of prices between them. Plus, they’re also the two most common fibers for residential flooring.
Carpet Construction
Once again, I’m going to plug our Ultimate Carpet Buying Guide as an in-depth look at styles of carpet, but I’ll also give you a quick recap about the style of carpets you can buy.
As you might know, there are several styles of carpet. There’s cut, cut and loop, and loop (berber) style carpet.
Each style can be varied in cost. A thick, higher density cut carpet will be more expensive than a berber carpet. Since berber carpet is how carpet originally begins in a factory, it tends to be the least expensive style of carpet.
Overall though, the plusher and thicker the carpet, the more expensive it will be.
Related Content >> What is Carpet Tile? We Have the Answers
Additional Carpet Installation Costs:
To help you get the best carpeting cost estimate, I also want to mention some additional cost factors you may not have thought of.
- Molding- To keep your flooring looking sharp, you might need to replace or add molding to the room. Depending on the size of the room, and the type of molding you need, the cost can add up.
- Padding- You’re probably wanting soft carpet, right? Don’t forget to purchase the right underlayment for your carpet!
- Carpet Removal- If you’re replacing older carpet, remember to factor in the cost of removal. Depending on who is doing the install, the size of the room or house, the cost could range between $100 – $300.
FAQs:
Does my carpet need an underlay?
A) For a soft, durable carpet, an underlay is basically required. Underlayments increase the longevity of your carpet and also makes it comfortable to walk on.
Can I install carpet myself?
A) The answer is it depends. If you are installing carpet tile, then absolutely. You can definitely install it yourself. However, unless you are experienced in installing broadloom, we suggest you leave it to the professionals. Broadloom carpet is installed using various methods and special tools like knee kickers and power stretchers.
Should I buy carpet tiles or broadloom carpet?
A) It depends on your budget. Carpet tile is great because you save money on installation and you can easily replace a tile if one becomes damaged. Broadloom is less expensive per square foot, but you’ll probably need to hire someone to install.
Can I get a sample before I buy?
A) Yes, you can!
Related Content >> Broadloom Carpet: Everything You Need to Know
Conclusion
Hopefully, these charts give you a good idea of what to budget for when purchasing carpet to install. Carpet installation doesn’t have to be expensive or scary if you’ve got all the information at reach. Be sure to calculate your carpet installation cost! Ready to get started? Shop carpet rolls today.
SHOP CARPET ROLLS SHOP CARPET TILES
Kayla Haas is a Phoenix-based writer, flooring expert, and reading enthusiast. Most of her writing specializes in artificial grass, carpet, and vinyl flooring. Her favorite part of writing is the research. If you’re looking for obscure facts or little-known history about flooring, she’s the person to talk to as she stores them away in hopes of impressing people at parties.
Ribbed Carpet Tile
Our Ribbed Carpet Tiles come in several colors that are sure to match any residential room décor. These indoor/outdoor floor tiles feature a self-adhering backing that makes for a quick and easy install.
Shop Now >>
Hobnail Carpet Tile
Our Hobnail carpet tiles come in several different colors and are very easy to install and maintain. These carpet tile squares feature a self-adhering back, which means no need for messy adhesive or tape.
Shop Now >>
Hobnail Carpet
Our Hobnail Carpet is the perfect flooring option for any spare room or basement where a durable, cost effective floor is desired.
Shop Now >>
Shaw Defined Beauty Waterproof Carpet
Shaw's Defined Beauty carpeting adds a dramatic and geometric effect to any space in need of some styling. Part of the Life Happens collection, this unique and beautiful carpet is 100% waterproof and worry proof.
Shop Now >>
Mohawk Vintage Luxury
Looking for plush carpet, but don't want to spend an arm and leg for it? Then look no further than Mohawk's Vintage Luxury carpet. Soft, comfortable and durable, this carpet is the perfect floor for any room in your home.
Shop Now >>
