Cost Guide 2026
How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?
The short answer: $3-$11 per square foot installed. That covers the carpet, padding, and labor in one number. A 12x15 bedroom runs $600-$2,000. A whole house at 1,500 sqft runs $4,500-$16,500. The carpet itself is only about half the total cost -- padding and labor make up the rest.
Cost by Carpet Type
Material cost is just the carpet itself, before padding and labor. These ranges reflect national averages -- local pricing and brand premiums will shift the numbers.
Polyester (PET)
Budget to mid-range
The most popular carpet sold today. Soft out of the box, good stain resistance, and the lowest material cost of any synthetic. The catch: it flattens under heavy foot traffic over time. Fine for bedrooms and low-traffic rooms. Less ideal for hallways and living rooms.
Nylon
Mid-range to premium
The most durable carpet fiber available. Springs back after heavy use, handles traffic that would flatten polyester in two years. Costs more upfront but tends to be the better long-term value for high-traffic areas. Look for solution-dyed nylon for best stain resistance.
Triexta / SmartStrand
Mid-range
Mohawk's SmartStrand is the main brand here. Triexta is genuinely stain-proof at the fiber level -- not just a surface coating that wears off. The fiber itself repels liquids. Good durability, softer than nylon, and the stain protection is built in permanently. Best choice for homes with kids or pets.
Wool
Luxury
Natural fiber, extremely durable, looks and feels premium. Regulates temperature, resists crushing, and ages well. The downsides: significantly higher upfront cost, requires professional cleaning, and is more susceptible to moisture and staining if not treated properly. Mostly chosen for formal rooms where luxury matters more than practicality.
Olefin / Polypropylene
Budget
The cheapest carpet you can buy. Highly moisture resistant, which makes it the right call for basements and below-grade spaces. Not soft underfoot. Crushes quickly with foot traffic. Not a good choice for main living areas or anywhere you want carpet to look good for more than a few years.
Room by Room Cost Estimates
These are full installed costs -- carpet, pad, and labor combined. Assumes mid-grade carpet and standard installation.
| Room / Area | Size | Sqft | Budget Range | Mid-Grade Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom | 10x10 | 100 | $300-$550 | $550-$900 |
| Standard bedroom | 12x15 | 180 | $600-$900 | $900-$2,000 |
| Master bedroom | 15x20 | 300 | $900-$1,500 | $1,500-$3,300 |
| Living room | 15x20 | 300 | $900-$1,500 | $1,500-$3,300 |
| Stairs (13 steps) | N/A | ~65 | $400-$600 | $600-$900 |
| Basement | ~500 sqft | 500 | $1,500-$2,500 | $2,500-$4,000 |
| Whole house | ~1,500 sqft | 1,500 | $4,500-$7,500 | $7,500-$16,500 |
Budget range uses polyester/olefin carpet with basic pad. Mid-grade uses quality nylon or triexta with standard 8lb pad. Add 10-20% for carpet removal, furniture moving, or complex layouts.
How to Save Money on Carpet Installation
There are real ways to reduce carpet costs without sacrificing quality where it matters.
Buy remnants for small rooms
Carpet remnants are leftover rolls from larger jobs. A 12x15 bedroom needs about 200 sqft including waste. Many flooring stores sell remnants for 30-60% off regular price. Call local stores and ask what remnants they have in stock. Works well for bedrooms where you can pick a slightly different color to match the room rather than the rest of the house.
Buy during holiday sales
Flooring retailers run genuine sales around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Discounts of 20-40% on carpet material are common. Installation pricing is often included or discounted as part of promotions. Plan your purchase around these windows if timing is flexible.
Choose mid-grade nylon over cheap polyester
A $2/sqft polyester might look appealing, but it will look worn in 5 years and need replacing. A $4/sqft nylon in the same room lasts 12-15 years. Over time, the nylon costs less per year of life. For high-traffic areas like living rooms and stairs, this math really adds up.
Skip the pad upgrade for bedrooms
Upgraded padding is worth it in main living areas where traffic is constant. In a guest bedroom that sees light use, standard 8lb density 7/16 inch pad is perfectly adequate. Saving $0.50/sqft on pad in a 180 sqft room is only $90, but across multiple bedrooms it adds up.
Remove old carpet yourself
Pulling up old carpet and pad is labor-intensive but not technically difficult. You need a utility knife, gloves, and a way to haul the material to a dumpster or transfer station. Doing this yourself saves $0.50-$1.50/sqft in removal fees. On a 1,500 sqft house, that is $750-$2,250 back in your pocket. Call ahead to confirm the installer is fine with you doing this.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does carpet installation cost per square foot?
Total installed cost runs $3-$11 per square foot, covering carpet, padding, and labor together. Budget installs with basic polyester land at $3-$4/sqft. Mid-grade nylon with standard pad and professional labor runs $5-$7/sqft. Premium options with wool or high-grade nylon and thick pad reach $9-$11/sqft.
How much does it cost to carpet a 12x15 bedroom?
A 12x15 bedroom is 180 square feet. Budget $600-$900 for entry-level polyester installed. Most homeowners spend $900-$1,200 for a mid-grade nylon with standard padding. High-end options in the same room can reach $2,000. Always add 10-15% for cutting waste when calculating material needs.
What is the cheapest carpet option?
Olefin (polypropylene) and entry-level polyester both run $1-$3/sqft for material only. Installed with basic pad and labor, expect $3-$5/sqft total. These are fine for basements and rarely-used rooms. For any room you spend time in, mid-grade polyester at $2-$3/sqft material gives noticeably better feel and longevity.
Should I replace carpet or install hardwood?
Carpet installation costs $3-$11/sqft installed. Hardwood runs $8-$25/sqft installed. Carpet is warmer, quieter, and cheaper upfront. Hardwood lasts decades, looks better over time, and adds more resale value. For bedrooms, carpet typically wins on comfort and cost. For main living areas in homes where resale matters, hardwood or luxury vinyl plank often makes more sense.
Ready to Get Quotes?
Get at least three quotes from local installers. Ask each one to break out carpet, padding, labor, and removal separately so you can compare like for like. Bring measurements (length x width of each room) to every conversation.