Carpet Installation Cost
Carpet Installation typically costs $2–$7 per square foot installed, with a national average around $4.5. That's a planning range, not a quote — your exact price depends on the factors below.
per square foot, installed (material + labor)
Get your exact price — free in-home estimate
Carpet Installation cost by room size
| Area | Square feet | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 12 bedroom | 120 | $240–$840 |
| 12 × 15 living room | 180 | $360–$1,260 |
| 15 × 20 family room | 300 | $600–$2,100 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,000 | $2,000–$7,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft (whole main floor) | 1,500 | $3,000–$10,500 |
Straight multiplication of the published range — real quotes shift with waste (carpet rolls seam differently than rooms measure), prep, stairs, and removal. The calculator does the real material math.
What moves the price
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Carpet grade & fiber | Builder-grade polyester runs low; triexta and wool sit at the top of the range. |
| Padding | Thicker, denser pad costs more but extends carpet life and feel. |
| Room size & layout | Bigger open rooms cut waste per yard; many small rooms and hallways add seams and labor. |
| Old carpet removal & haul-away | Tear-out and disposal is often a separate per-sq-ft or flat fee. |
| Stairs | Stairs are priced per step and take far more labor than flat floor. |
| Furniture moving | Many installers charge to move and replace furniture. |
| Subfloor prep | Squeaks, damage, or uneven subfloor add prep before install. |
Estimate your project
Enter your room sizes to see how much material you'll need — including true carpet yardage and box counts.
Frequently asked questions
Is padding included in carpet installation cost?
Sometimes. Some quotes bundle pad and labor into the per-square-foot price; others list pad separately. Always confirm what the number includes.
How much to carpet a 12x12 room?
A 12x12 room is about 16 square yards (144 sq ft). At roughly 2 to 7 dollars per square foot installed, that is about 290 to 1,010 dollars including labor and pad — material grade drives most of the spread.
How much does it cost to carpet a whole house?
For 1,500 square feet of carpeted area, plan on roughly 3,000 to 10,500 dollars installed depending on grade. Whole-home jobs often price better per square foot than single rooms.
How much of the price is labor versus carpet?
As a rule of thumb the carpet and pad are 60 to 70 percent and labor 30 to 40 percent. Stairs, furniture moving, and tear-out add labor — which is why per-square-foot guesses miss.
Does the price include removing the old carpet?
Not always. Tear-out and haul-away of old carpet and pad is frequently a separate line item. Ask for it to be itemized.
How do I know it is time to replace carpet instead of cleaning it?
Matting that will not bounce back, wrinkles or ripples, persistent odors in the pad, and visible wear paths mean cleaning is past helping. A free in-home estimate prices the replacement room by room.
Cost ranges reviewed June 2026. National planning estimates — your free in-home measure confirms the exact price.