How Much Does Carpet Repair Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $133 - $280
Sprucing up your carpet with repairs could save you money on a full replacement. The national average repair cost is $207.
Has your carpet seen better days? Maybe you accidentally matted the fibers with your couch or are dealing with water damage. The good news is that it’s almost always less expensive to repair a damaged carpet than to replace the whole thing, and you may get several more years out of your carpet by patching or stretching it.
But there are several different ways to repair a carpet, so it’s worth understanding your options—and what to expect when it comes to carpet repair costs—before you start shopping around for quotes.
- Average
- $207
- Low end
- $85
- high end
- $452
Carpet Repair Cost Factors
From room size to the type of damage your carpet has, your individual project cost can vary greatly. When assessing the damage, keep these carpet repair cost factors in mind.
Size of Carpet
The larger the carpet or section that needs repair is, the more expensive your carpet repair will be. Most local carpet repair companies charge either by the hour ($60 per hour) or per square foot (around $0.35 per square foot).
These amounts can vary based on the type of carpet you have. If you need to replace the subfloor or carpet pad as well, you’ll pay more for repairs.
Carpet Material
Higher-end carpet materials like wool, acrylic, and nylon may cost $1.25 to $3 per square foot during carpet repair. Polyester starts at around $1 per square foot. Here’s a list of other common carpet repair costs by material:
| Carpet Material | Average Cost (per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Polyester | $1 – $1.10 |
| Polypropylene | $1 – $1.20 |
| Nylon | $1.25 – $2 |
| Acrylic | $1.50 – $3 |
| Wool | $2 – $3 |
Type of Repair
From minor rips to pet stains, your carpet probably deals with a lot of wear and tear, and the nature of the repair may impact the price you pay. Here are some common types of carpet repairs and how much they cost.
| Carpet Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Burn Damage | $150 – $250 |
| Water Damage | $300 – $1,000 |
| Tears | $100 – $250 |
| Snags | $150 – $250 |
| Loose Carpet | $100 – $300 |
| Stains, Bleaching, or Sun Damage | $125 – $250 |
| Pet Damage | $150 – $1,000 |
Burn Damage
A pro will typically perform carpet burn repair using a carpet patch, which costs between $150 and $250 on average. The larger the burn, the more it will cost. If a large section is burned or the padding is destroyed, you may simply need to replace the whole carpet.
Water Damage
Because of the real possibility of mold that can accompany water damage in carpet, it’s generally one of the most expensive types of carpet repair. You’ll typically pay $300 to $1,000 to repair water damage in a basement or three-bedroom area of your home.
Depending on the extent of damage, it may be worth replacing the entire carpet. You also have to ensure your subfloor isn’t damaged. In general, floor repair costs an additional $400 but could cost several thousand dollars if the floor joists become compromised.
Tears
Carpet patches can fix tears and will cost anywhere from $100 to $250, depending on the size of the damage. If one small section of carpet is torn, you can likely use a DIY carpet patch to repair it.
Snags
You can fix carpet snags caused by pets, furniture, or just heavy foot traffic with patches or carpet treatments that help the existing fibers sit back into the carpet. You’ll likely pay $150 to $250 for snag repair.
Loose Carpet
Loose carpet can pose a safety hazard for you, your loved ones, and your pets. Carpet stretching is the most common treatment to fix a loose carpet or rug, which tightens it and secures it back to the floor. Depending on how large the carpet is, you will likely pay somewhere between $100 and $300 for the cost of a carpet stretching service.
Stains, Bleaching, or Sun Damage
Stain cleaning typically costs $125 to $250 to remove stains or discoloration.
Prolonged sun exposure can lighten the color of your carpet or even bleach it. A carpet specialist can add dye to the carpet after cleaning it to make it match your current color.
Pet Damage
Our pets can do a number on our carpets. From holes due to digging or roughhousing to pet urine stains, a contractor will likely have to give you a unique quote, depending on the extent (and surface area) of the damage.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $1,000 to repair carpets due to pet damage.
Labor
Carpet repair specialists typically work by the hour or square foot for larger jobs. Two solid guidelines for labor are $60 per hour or $0.35 per square foot.
Carpet Accessibility
If your carpet is in a difficult to reach area, then expect to pay more. When hiring a carpet pro to repair a spot that’s tough to get to, you’ll pay about 15% more on average. More complicated jobs typically require more measuring, cutting, and differently-shaped patches.
Carpet Replacement
In some cases, replacing your carpet may make more sense, especially if there’s water damage, for example. Mold remediation may be expensive, and basic carpet cleaning may not be enough to solve the problem.
Installing a new carpet costs $1,760 on average. Your cost, of course, depends on the type of carpet you choose and the room's size.
Padding Replacement
Underneath your carpet sits the carpet padding, which is important for comfort, insulation, and noise reduction, as well as carpet maintenance. Carpet padding costs $0.75 to $3.75 per square foot on average; for a 10-foot-by-10-foot room getting a new carpet pad would cost around $75 to $375.
Moving Furniture
Certain carpet repair methods, like stretching the carpet or performing a deep clean, will require you to move all the furniture from the room. (By the way, moving furniture around regularly is one of the keys to extending your carpet’s life.)
Some carpet companies may help you move furniture, but you’ll incur greater labor costs, which average around $60 per hour.
Carpet Disposal
A carpet removal pro near you typically includes carpet disposal in the quote you receive for replacement or repair. It usually costs about $140 to dispose of an old carpet.
DIY carpet disposal costs between $0.40 and $0.50 per square foot; you’ll typically save about 50% in terms of labor costs if you get rid of the carpet yourself.
Cost to Repair Carpet by Method
There are several ways to revitalize or rejuvenate your carpet. Here’s a short breakdown of each, plus the average cost for a pro to do the job.
| Carpet Repair Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Stretching | $100 – $140 per room |
| Patch Repair | $150 – $250 |
| Cleaning | $180 |
| Dyeing | $1.50 – $2.50 per square foot |
"Fixing buckles in carpet can be expensive since it's usually found throughout all the carpeted areas. It can also involve moving furniture to get a proper stretch, whereas patching or repairing tears just involves that specific spot." - Kristopher Ayoub, owner of Ayoub N&H
Carpet Stretching Cost
Carpet stretching involves using special tools to lengthen your carpet and then secure it using tack strips. Stretching is a technique that’s best for fixing loose or wrinkled carpet.
It’s a one-time job that can save you money instead of replacing your carpet altogether.
The cost of carpet stretching costs $100 to $300 on average. A pro might charge you by room, with $100 to $140 per room being the average, though room size could cause this price range to vary.
Carpet Patch Repair Cost
If only one section of your carpet is damaged, a pro can carefully cut it out and match a piece of new carpet so you don’t have to replace the entire thing. This method will save you loads of money, as the average cost to patch a carpet is only $150 to $250—compared to $1,700+ for a new carpet. This price range may vary depending on the size and carpet material that you need to replace.
Patterned carpets can be tricky to patch, though. Kristopher Ayoub also notes, "Carpet with a defined pattern is more difficult to patch if you don't have extra material left over from the installation. Even if you do have additional material, matching the pattern so it looks seamless can be more difficult."
Carpet patches are most effective for damage that’s 1 square foot or less in size.
Carpet Cleaning Cost
Stained carpet may simply need a deep clean to lift out stains or make an older carpet look better. Carpet cleaning costs about $180 on average.
Any homeowner can rent a professional-level steam cleaner from a home improvement store for as little as $30 per day. However, you may not have the expertise or industry-grade tools/cleaning supplies of a pro who can take additional steps to eradicate mold or mildew or even just give your carpet a thorough clean.
Carpet Dyeing Cost
Stained, bleached, or sun-damaged carpet can benefit from dye, which rejuvenates the fiber and helps give your carpet one uniform color. Carpet dyeing costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot on average.
Cost to Repair Carpet Yourself
Repairing a carpet yourself will save you money on labor costs, too. With the average job costing slightly over $200 for materials and labor, you could save a large portion (70% or more) of this number by doing the work on your own.
That said, carpet repair can be tricky and time-intensive. Research the repairs you need to ensure your skills are up to snuff. If they’re not, you spend more money trying to fix your mistakes or calling in a local carpet repair company to do so.
DIY Costs vs. Hiring a Pro
Everyone loves saving money, but carpet repair can be challenging, and in certain cases, such as when mold is present, it’s probably a job best left to a local carpet cleaning pro or mold remediation specialist. If your subfloor is damaged, you may also want to consider outsourcing the job.
For example, you might save up to $600 by steam cleaning a carpet yourself. But if in a few months you discover mold has seeped into other areas of your home, that job will be much more costly to repair.
How to Save on Carpet Repair Costs
Fixing your carpet on a budget? No problem. Here are some ways to keep cash in your pocket while you repair your carpet:
Clean mildly damaged areas yourself: Rent a steam cleaner from a home improvement store or buy a carpet patch repair kit and do the work yourself if you’re comfortable.
Move furniture by yourself: Save on labor costs by moving furniture to another room or the hallway. Make sure you have a buddy to help you, especially with heavy items.
Get multiple quotes: As always, it’s a good idea to shop around when looking for carpet repair. You may be able to save hundreds simply by talking to multiple companies.
By contrast, one way you shouldn’t attempt to save money is to repair the carpet or put new carpet down on an area with no carpet padding. Most carpet warranties aren’t valid unless you install carpet padding underneath.
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 over 10,000 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep! Using a carpet patch, you (or a carpet professional) can cut out the damaged section, then replace it with a piece the same color as your existing carpet.
Stretching a carpet should be a one-time job; if by re-stretching you mean doing it a second (or third) time, it’s probably better to replace it altogether. Most carpets are expected to last anywhere from five to 15 years, so if it’s past that timeframe, you may want to shop around for a new one.
Patching your carpet in damaged areas or using an industry-grade cleaner on urine spots can help remove stains and scents from your carpet. If odors linger, leave baking soda on the area overnight (dry), then vacuum it up in the morning.
Repairing a carpet is almost always cheaper than replacing the whole thing, unless mold is present or the subfloor is also damaged.
It’s best to stretch a carpet before you clean it. Cleaning your carpet loosens it, but a stretched carpet should be fixed firmly in place once the job is done.