How Much Does It Cost to Carpet Stairs? [2026 Data]

The average cost to carpet stairs is $400, with a typical range of $300 to $650. This cost data is based on an average set of stairs that requires 60 square feet of carpeting. The price of more complicated stairs—like spiral staircases—will be on the higher end of the cost range. Here’s everything you need to know.

Cost to Carpet Stairs Factors 

Carpeting stairs is pretty straightforward, so costs are generally broken down into two categories: materials and labor. However, there are some possible additional costs you should consider as well.

Number of Stairs

The average cost to install carpeting on stairs is $14 to $36 per step. This is $11 to $26 extra compared to the cost of carpeting floors due to the extra cutting, tack strips, and shape configuration. Most homes have between 13 to 16 steps per staircase, depending on the length of it.

Here’s a breakdown of the cost to carpet stairs by the number of steps.

Type of Carpet Material

The next factor to consider is the type of carpet material you’re adding to your steps. Make this decision based on your budget and the overall look and feel of the carpet material. For example, some carpet types are rougher to step on, while others are soft and cushioned. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for carpeting based on your choice of material:

• Cotton: A great carpet option for your stairs at $2–$7 per square foot if you want minimal volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), though light colors show stains easily with kids, pets, or direct sunlight.

• Nylon: This $2–$5 per square foot material is a durable and budget-friendly option for families and pets, but it has a rougher texture and can create static electricity.

• Polyester: At $1–$3 per square foot, this is the most cost-friendly choice that improves the aesthetics of your stairway and won’t fade, but it's less durable and not ideal for high-traffic areas.

• Olefin: Costing $1–$3 per square foot, this durable synthetic material is stain, moisture, and UV-resistant, but it doesn't hold its shape as well and is prone to friction damage.

• Sisal: This high-end sustainable option costs $5–$15 per square foot and is ideal for people with asthma and allergies, but it has a rough texture, which makes it good for high-traffic areas but possibly a little uncomfortable.

• Wool: At $4–$20 per square foot, this premium eco-friendly material is soft, beautiful, and durable, but prone to fading, moisture damage, and static electricity.

Type of Staircase

Different types of staircases may be more difficult to carpet, which will increase project costs. Here’s what you can expect to pay based on the type of staircase you have.

• Straight: The easiest form of stairs to carpet at $150–$650 because there aren't any turns or odd angles to contend with when cutting carpet, depending on size and material choice.

• L-Shaped and U-Shaped: These slightly more complicated staircases cost $300–$1,000 to carpet because you have to install a landing where the stairs take a 90-degree or 180-degree turn.

• Spiral: The most challenging staircases to carpet at $700–$1,500 because you're working on a constant curve, tightly wound around a single pole. However, adding carpet may make them safer and easier to maneuver.

• Curved: These staircases cost $500–$1,250 to carpet and aren't as tight as spirals but still require higher-end pricing due to the tricky nature of cutting carpet for curves.

Additional Cost Factors to Consider 

There are a few other factors that could increase the total cost of your project that are not the basic carpet and installation costs. You also likely have to take into account labor costs, disposal fees, spindles, and more.

Labor

The cost to hire a local carpet installer to add carpet to stairs is $1 to $2 per square foot, so the bulk of the project’s cost will be the carpeting materials. However, we recommend hiring a pro to complete this tricky type of installation, so don’t overlook this step of the project process. Compare three price quotes or more from local carpet installers to find the best deal for you.

Cleaning and Disposal 

If you’re replacing the carpet on your staircase, you’ll need to make a plan for getting rid of the old carpet. Disposing of old carpet costs around $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot. Once you have your old carpet removed and your new carpet installed, the cost to professionally clean carpets falls between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot.

On top of the typical costs of installing carpet on staircases, there are other factors that could add to the cost of your project. Keep these potential expenses in mind when budgeting for this project.

Removing Old Carpet or Existing Coverings

If you have to remove existing carpet on your stairs to install new carpet, carpet removal costs between $1 and $5 per square foot. On the other hand, removing laminate flooring costs $1 to $3 per square foot.

Landing Carpet Cost

If your stairs have a landing, this feature increases the surface area of your staircase, meaning you’ll pay more in square feet than stairs that don’t have a landing. Budget around $50 extra to accommodate carpeting a landing.

Spindles 

If your stairs have spindles, anticipate spending anywhere from $2 to $15 more per spindle. This higher cost is due to the difficulty of navigating around spindles, which are vertical rods connecting the base of your stairway to the handrail.

Carpet Runner Installation Costs

If you don’t want to add carpet to the entirety of your stairs, a carpet runner is a great solution because it only covers the center of each stair. Stair runners cost between $0.50 and $1 extra per square foot because of the additional attention that must go into cutting the carpet to fit your stairway.

Custom Cuts

If you have uniquely-shaped stairs and need a custom cut, this feature could double, triple, or even quadruple the cost to carpet your stairs, depending on how many cuts you’ll need to complete the job. Your best bet is to choose a low-cost carpet material if you want to save on the cost of a custom cut.

Staircase Conditions

If you need to repair or refinish your staircase before starting on the installation, factor in these additional costs ahead of time. The cost to repair stairs or railings is $4.50 to $8 per square foot, while the cost to install a stair banister is $300 to $450.

Carpet Maintenance

Your stairs are high-traffic areas where your household walks daily. As a result, it’s important to keep your carpeted stairs clean. Unfortunately, carpet isn’t as easy to clean as other types of flooring, like tile or hardwood. 

You may consider hiring a carpet cleaning pro to keep your carpets looking brand new. Investing in professional cleaning a few times a year can also help your carpet last longer. As mentioned above, carpet cleaning costs $0.30 per square foot on average.

3 Ways to Save Money While Carpeting Stairs

If you're on a limited budget, there are a few simple ways you could save money on this project.

1. Remove existing carpet: Cut down on labor costs by ripping out your existing carpet before the pro arrives to install the new one. This is a DIY-friendly task that shouldn’t take very long.

2. Choose a less expensive material: Polyester or nylon are budget-friendly choices that won’t break the bank. Choosing a less expensive carpet material will drastically lower the overall cost of this project.

3. Carpet a smaller area: Instead of carpeting the entire surface area of the stairs, you can carpet the top of each stair (i.e., treads) or install a runner. Since you're only carpeting half the area, this will cut your material costs in half.

Why You Should Hire a Stair Carpeting Pro

You won’t save much by DIYing this job—installing carpet on stairs only costs an additional $1 to $2 per square foot if you decide to use carpet installation services near you. 

Instead of doing it yourself, consider saving money by removing the existing carpet on your stairs. You’ll save between $1 and $5 per square foot in removal costs and between $0.40 and $0.50 per square foot in disposal costs.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a stair carpeting pro

Carpeting your stairs is a job best left to the pros. Here’s why:

• Professionals know how to securely carpet your stairs while preventing loose edges, wrinkles, and uneven installation.

• Experienced pros have the tools to carpet unique stair shapes, corners, and tight spaces.

• DIY installation can lead to uneven treads, premature wear, and stair damage.

• Reputable pros offer insurance and warranties for added peace of mind.

• Professionally installed stair carpet enhances your home’s appearance and resale value.

If you want to DIY stair carpet installation

To assist your pro, consider helping out with the following tasks:

• Remove furniture, rugs, and decor from the work area

• Vacuum and wipe down your stairs before your pro arrives

• Remove and dispose of the existing carpet yourself

• Paint or stain railings after the job is complete

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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. 

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