How Much Does Carpet Replacement Cost? [2024 Data]

Carpet Replacement Cost Factors

Factors to consider when determining carpet replacement costs include the size of the area you’ll be carpeting, the material you choose, the type of carpet padding or underlayment, and the labor.

Cost per Square Foot

Square footage is one of the biggest factors when budgeting for the cost to install new flooring. It costs anywhere from $3 to $11 per square foot to install carpet throughout the home, with this price rising or falling according to the type of material and any unforeseen obstacles encountered during the placement process. Carpet is often sold by the square yard, so you can expect to pay $30 to $50 per square yard.

Carpet Material 

If size is the primary cost factor here, materials come in at a close second.

Carpeting ships in a wide variety of styles, each made from unique materials that impact the price. Some materials are more expensive to manufacture, thus increasing the price on your end, while others take longer to install. Here are the major carpeting material types and their costs.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic carpet material that costs $1 to $3 per square foot. It’s popular because it’s mold-resistant. But because the material can compress underfoot, it’s best for low-traffic areas.

Wool

Wool is long-lasting, durable, and naturally resistant to stains. It costs $4 to $20 per square foot, making it one of the most expensive carpet materials. It works well in high-traffic areas, but you should avoid using wool in finished basements or other areas with moisture because it can harbor mold and mildew when wet.

Nylon 

Nylon is a type of synthetic carpet that costs $2 to $5 per square foot. It works well in high-traffic areas and is great for homes with kids and pets because it’s so easy to clean. The drawback of nylon is that it may not feel as plush underfoot as other carpet types, like wool.

Olefin (Polypropylene) 

Olefin, often called polypropylene, is a lower-cost option at $1 to $3 per square foot. It resists stains, moisture damage, and even fading from UV rays, but it can easily be damaged if something heavy, like a chair or ottoman, is pulled along its surface.

Acrylic

Acrylic carpet, which costs $3 to $8 per square foot, is hypoallergenic and resistant to common carpet pests, like moths. But it works best in low-traffic areas and homes without pets or kids because it tends to pill and stain with heavy use.

Cotton

Cotton carpet costs $2 to $7 per square foot, and it’s an eco-friendly option that won’t emit many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It also feels plush, making it perfect for walking or even lying on comfortably. Just keep cotton carpet out of sunny rooms, as it fades easily.

Triexta

Triexta, a type of carpet made from polytrimethylene terephthalate, costs $3 to $8 per square foot. This carpet is hydrophobic, so it tends to repel water and avoid stains. Because it also holds its shape, it works great in high-traffic areas. The dense material can be hard to clean, though, so you may want to buy a carpet steam cleaner to care for Triexta carpet.

Carpet Style

Carpet styles range from $1 to $20 per square foot. Aside from the material it’s made of, carpet also comes in different styles that affect how it feels underfoot and how it performs when you walk across it. For example, loop carpet can feel nice and soft when you walk on it, but the loops may snag if you have pets.

There are several different styles of carpet to consider for your home, including:

• Berber: Berber carpet features short, thick loops of the same height, often made from wool or nylon.

• Cable: Cable-style carpet has long, thick yarn with a soft texture, but the longer fibers are vulnerable to matting or flattening of the carpet.

• Cut-and-loop: Cut-and-loop carpet is made up of a mix of short, cut fibers and looped fibers to prevent matting.

• Frieze: This carpet style features tightly twisted, long fibers that feel plush underfoot but can flatten easily.

• Loop: This style features looped carpet all of the same level or at varying heights. Looped carpet has thinner loops than Berber carpet.

• Patterned: Patterned carpet can bring together a range of different textures and colors for a unique carpet look and feel.

• Saxony/plush: This style of high-pile carpet has long strands cut to the same height that are tightly packed for that soft, plush feel.

• Texture: Unsurprisingly, this style is all about texture, so it blends two types of tightly woven and densely packed fibers and loops for durability with a soft touch.

Removing Old Carpeting

Carpet removal costs $1 to $5 per square foot, which includes labor, waste disposal, and cleanup. This is a necessary part of the process if you are replacing old carpeting with something new. 

Certain jobs also require the removal of flooring to meet the needs of the carpet coming in, at a cost of around $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on the flooring type. Some installers may wrap these costs into the package estimate, so inquire ahead of time. 

Subfloor Preparation and Repairs

In the case of damaged or old subflooring, repairs cost an average of $600, depending on the issue and the size of the impacted area. Replacing the subfloor costs $3 to $10 per square foot. 

The subfloor must be in top-notch condition before laying carpeting over it, often requiring preparation or, in some cases, repairs or replacement. 

Preparation involves a thorough inspection by your pro, along with a deep cleaning, adequate drying time, and some general maintenance. These maintenance steps include removing errant staples or nails, flattening the floor, and painting the baseboards, among other tasks. 

Padding and Underlayment 

Padding typically costs between $0.75 and $2.00 per square foot. While it does add to the total cost, these materials can help preserve the longevity of the carpet and reduce replacement costs down the road. 

Carpet padding and underlayment aren’t always required for carpet installation, but it's highly recommended. According to flooring expert Deborah Lamberton, general manager at ASAP Restoration, sometimes there "is a concrete slab or subflooring with poor gradients, and those minute textural differences below come through if there's no padding. If you walk on the carpet, you'll feel the floor below it, which can be less comfortable." Adding a layer of padding can also reduce wear and tear.

Custom Cut Carpets

Irregularly shaped rooms require custom cuts of carpeting, which require additional materials and time. The price varies depending on the shape and size of the room, but count on an extra $1 to $2 per square foot when dealing with custom cuts. However, these increased costs do not reflect the entire project, just the necessary areas. 

Carpet Tiles 

Carpet tiles cost between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot, and because they are so easy to install, they may cut down on labor costs.

Carpet tiles are pretty much what they sound like—squares of carpet that you can install next to one another on the floor rather than one large piece of carpet. They come in peel-and-stick versions and you can glue them down to the floor. 

Stain-Resistant Treatments

Some materials are naturally resistant to stains, while others need a helping hand. Purchasing stain-resistant treatment chemicals are budget-friendly, at around $80 per 1,000 square feet. However, this process adds to the overall labor cost, but most pros charge a flat fee for stain-resistant treatments no matter the size of the space. Talk to your carpet installer for specifics. 

Carpeting Stairs

Carpeting stairs requires more labor than carpeting a room, so labor costs will reflect that. Carpet installation on stairs costs between $1 and $2 per square foot extra—or $11 to $26 extra per step—to accommodate the additional labor costs.

Labor 

To determine the actual cost of carpet installation labor, check with carpet installation professionals near you. Sometimes, the store you purchase the carpet from will offer free installation, which can help you save on the overall cost of the project. If they don’t, check with multiple companies and ask for quotes to make sure you’re getting a good price and working with a company you’re comfortable with. Typically, labor costs are relatively low for carpet installation, but they can increase if you need to remove the old carpeting, install carpet on stairs, or repair the subfloor.

Angi Tip

While durable flooring options may cost more, consider the wear and tear your floor will withstand in high-traffic areas, especially in homes with children and pets. If you’d like help choosing a material, a flooring pro can recommend strong materials that will look great in your home.

Samantha Velez

Content Editor, Angi

Cost to Replace Carpet Yourself

Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock

Before you decide to take on DIY carpet installation, check if the manufacturer’s warranty will remain intact. Many companies won’t cover a DIY installation of carpeting. 

If you’ve never done a carpet installation before, keep in mind that you need specific skills and tools. For example, using a knee kicker is not simple; it’s not something used for anything but carpet installation. If you want to DIY your carpet installation, these are some situations that would be good for you if you’re new to this kind of job:

• You’re familiar with the tools you need to install the carpet or have someone show you how to use them.

• There’s only one room that needs carpet, and it’s a room that’s not used often, such as a guest room.

• The installation is relatively straightforward and doesn’t involve floor vents, stairs, cuts or corners, or other irregularities.

You'll also need to remove the old carpet first—don't try to cut corners with this step. Flooring expert Deborah Lamberton has seen DIYers "put new carpet over the old carpet, using the old carpet as a form of padding. This doesn’t work, and it ends up being uneven and strange to walk on."

Remember that you’ll also have to find a place to dispose of any existing carpet you remove, along with the remnants and leftover pieces you have from the installation.

Tools and materials to install carpeting yourself include:

How to Save on Carpet Replacement

Photos: Tuomas A. Lehtinen / Moment / Getty Images

Carpet replacement may feel overwhelming at first. If you’re looking for ways to stay within your budget, here are some tips. 

• Repair instead of replace: Whether it means patching a burned area or fixing a tear, paying for carpet repair costs instead of replacing it can save you money if the majority of your carpet is in good condition. 

• Shop around: Different carpet retailers may have different carpet prices, some may offer free installation, and carpet installation companies will have different rates. Shopping around and buying carpet at the best times can get you the best deal. 

• Remove the carpet yourself: Removing the carpet yourself and having your carpet pro come in for the installation of the new carpet can save you money on labor costs. Just make sure you’re up to the task since removing carpet can be labor intensive. 

• Keep it basic: If you’re looking to save money, choose less expensive padding and underlayment and go with a more basic carpet.

When to Repair vs. Replace Your Carpet

In most cases, manufacturers recommend replacing carpet within 10 years of installation. Because the fibers in carpet can wear unevenly, after a decade, you will likely notice evidence of tread patterns in walkways and where there isn’t furniture. If your carpet gets a lot of wear from pets, you might need to replace it more frequently, or if you notice that the fibers are laying flat rather than bouncing back to their original height, that’s also a sign that it needs to be replaced. 

Carpet replacement typically costs $3 to $11 per square foot. A pro can repair a lightly torn carpet for between $150 and $300 or repair wrinkles for $100 to $300. A carpet patch costs between $125 and $250 per patch, so you can save a significant amount on repairing a damaged carpet rather than replacing it, especially if your carpet is less than 10 years old.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.