CARPET
How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?
Estimate carpet installation cost per square foot — material, padding and labor — with the free calculator.
Carpet is priced per square foot, but the installed total includes the carpet, padding and labor. The material range is wide because fiber type and quality vary. This guide covers the costs and a calculator to price the room.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Carpet runs $1.50–$8 per sq ft for material; installed cost with padding and labor is $3.50–$11 per sq ft. A typical 600 sq ft home runs $2,100–$6,600 installed.
Carpet types and cost per sq ft
Nylon is durable and the most common residential choice. Polyester is soft and budget-friendly. Wool is premium, natural and stain-resistant but costly. Olefin is best for basements and low-traffic areas.
- Polyester: $1.50–$4 per sq ft
- Nylon: $2.50–$6 per sq ft
- Olefin: $1–$3 per sq ft
- Wool: $6–$12 per sq ft
Padding and labor
Padding runs $0.50–$1 per sq ft and makes a huge difference in feel and longevity — always replace it with new carpet. Labor runs $0.50–$1.50 per sq ft and includes stretching, seams, tack strips and old carpet removal.
What adds cost
Stairs add $5–$10 per step, moving furniture costs extra, and pattern matching increases waste. Doorways and closets add seams. High-pile and patterned carpets are harder to install.
Try the calculator with your room
Enter the area, carpet price per sq ft and underlayment + labor per sq ft to see the total.