Cost to Install Carpet
The average cost to replace carpet is $1,778, with most homeowners paying between $780 and $2,812 depending on room size and carpet material. Every figure on this page is sourced — see below.
What's included in the cost
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Polyester carpet | $1–$3 per sq. ft. |
| Olefin / polypropylene carpet | $1–$3 per sq. ft. |
| Nylon carpet | $2–$5 per sq. ft. |
| Wool carpet | $4–$20 per sq. ft. |
| Padding | $0.75–$2 per sq. ft. |
| Old carpet removal | $1–$5 per sq. ft. |
| Subfloor repair (if needed) | ~$600 |
Source: HomeAdvisor (updated June 20, 2026). For comparison, Homewyse's independent unit-cost estimate for carpet installation is $5.27–$7.72 per square foot (May 2026) — a narrower range that falls inside HomeAdvisor's $3–$11 per square foot figure, not a contradiction of it.
What affects the cost
- Material. This is the single biggest swing factor — HomeAdvisor prices basic polyester or olefin at $1–$3 per square foot versus $4–$20 for wool, a 15-20x range depending on fiber alone.
- Padding. New carpet is almost always installed over new padding, which HomeAdvisor prices separately at $0.75–$2 per square foot on top of the carpet itself.
- Old carpet removal. If you're replacing existing carpet, HomeAdvisor lists removal at $1–$5 per square foot — a cost you can sometimes avoid, see below.
- Subfloor condition. A subfloor repair runs around $600, per HomeAdvisor, but a full subfloor replacement jumps to $3–$10 per square foot — worth asking your installer to check before you commit to a carpet budget.
Repair vs. replace, and getting quotes
Not every worn carpet needs full replacement. HomeAdvisor suggests considering a repair instead of a full replacement if the carpet is otherwise in good condition — a stretched, re-seamed, or patched section can cost far less than redoing an entire room.
If you do need new carpet, one real way to cut the bill is to do some of the prep work yourself: HomeAdvisor notes that removing the old carpet before your installer arrives reduces the labor they need to bill for. Whichever way you go, get quotes from at least three local carpet installers and compare them line by line — HomeAdvisor points out that pricing can vary significantly for what looks like the same job on paper.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install carpet on average?
The average cost to replace carpet is $1,778, with most projects falling between $780 and $2,812, or roughly $3 to $11 per square foot installed, according to HomeAdvisor (updated June 20, 2026).
How much does carpet cost by material type?
Per HomeAdvisor, polyester runs $1-$3 per square foot, olefin/polypropylene $1-$3, nylon $2-$5, and wool $4-$20 per square foot. Nylon is the most common mid-range choice; wool is the premium option.
Does the price of new carpet include padding?
Not usually — padding is typically a separate line item. HomeAdvisor lists padding installation at $0.75 to $2 per square foot in addition to the carpet material and installation labor.
How much does it cost to remove old carpet?
HomeAdvisor lists old carpet removal at $1 to $5 per square foot, separate from the cost of the new carpet and padding.
How long does carpet last?
According to HomeAdvisor, quality carpet typically lasts 5 to 20 years with proper maintenance, depending on material and foot traffic.
What affects the cost of a carpet installation?
Room size and material choice are the biggest factors. Subfloor condition also matters: HomeAdvisor estimates subfloor repair at around $600 and full subfloor replacement at $3 to $10 per square foot, on top of the carpet itself.
Should I remove the old carpet myself to save money?
It can help. HomeAdvisor notes that doing some of the prep work yourself, such as removing the old carpet before your installer arrives, reduces the labor they need to bill for. It also suggests considering a repair instead of full replacement if your current carpet is still in good condition.
Related projects
Have a specific carpet installation question, or think one of these numbers is out of date? Contact us and we'll look into it.