The average cost to carpet stairs runs between $400 and $800, with most people paying $650. A pro will factor in the number of steps, and materials like sisal and wool can drive up costs.
The average cost to carpet stairs is $650, with a typical range of $400 to $800. This cost data is based on an average set of stairs that require 60 square feet of carpeting. The price of more complicated stairs—like spiral staircases—will be on the higher end of the cost range.
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.
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.
| Number of Stairs | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 | $150–$400 |
| 12 | $170–$430 |
| 13 | $180–$470 |
| 14 | $200–$500 |
| 15 | $210–$540 |
| 16 | $225–$580 |
| 17 | $240–$610 |
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:
| Material | Average Cost per sq. ft |
|---|---|
| Cotton | $2–$7 |
| Nylon | $2–$5 |
| Polyester | $1–$3 |
| Polypropylene or olefin | $1–$3 |
| Sisal | $5–$15 |
| Wool | $4–$20 |
Cotton carpeting costs between $2 and $7 per square foot on average. Cotton is a great carpet option for your stairs if you want a product that contains minimal volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). However, be prepared to address stains quickly, especially if you choose a light-colored carpet and have children, pets, or generous amounts of direct sunlight in your home.
Nylon carpeting costs between $2 and $5 per square foot. This carpeting material is durable, great for families and pets, and budget-friendly. However, nylon doesn’t have the softest texture, and, come winter, you might find you’re more likely to get shocked from static electricity when you grab the door to leave the house.
Polyester is one of the most cost-friendly carpeting options, costing an average of $1 to $3 per square foot. This synthetic material can enhance the aesthetics of your stairway and won’t fade over time. At the same time, polyester is less durable than other options and isn’t ideal for high-traffic zones.
High-traffic areas require flooring that can withstand frequent use, children’s shoes, scurrying paws, and dirt or stains. Installing an easy-to-clean floor that will last on stairs, hallways, or in the kitchen may be worth the long-term investment.
Also called polypropylene, olefin carpeting costs between $1 to $3 per square foot. As another synthetic carpet material, olefin is durable, stain-resistant, moisture-resistant, and UV-resistant, making it a great option for homes. This carpet, however, doesn’t hold its shape as well as nylon and is susceptible to friction damage.
Sisal carpeting costs between $5 and $15 per square foot. As a high-end material, sisal offers the benefits of a sustainable carpet type that’s ideal for people with asthma and allergies. One of the major downsides to sisal is its texture, which can feel rough on your feet. However, sisal carpets are suitable for high-traffic, sunny areas.
At the top of the price range is wool carpeting, which costs between $4 and $20 per square foot on average. This eco-friendly carpet material is made of premium fabric that’s soft, beautiful, and durable. At the same time, it’s prone to fading, moisture damage, and static electricity.
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.
| Stairway Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Straight | $150–$650 |
| L-shaped and U-shaped | $300–$1,000 |
| Spiral | $700–$1,500 |
| Curved | $500–$1,250 |
This is the easiest form of stairs to install carpet because there aren't any turns or odd angles to contend with when you're cutting carpet. As a result, your price range is a bit lower than other types of staircases at $150 to $650, depending on its size and the carpet material you choose.
These are slightly more complicated types of staircases to carpet because you have to install a landing where the stairs take a 90-degree or 180-degree turn. You can expect to pay between $300 and $1,000 to add carpet to this type of staircase.
Spiral staircases are challenging to carpet because you're working on a constant curve, and it's tightly wound around a single pole. However, adding carpet to spiral staircases may make them safer and easier to maneuver. Carpet installation for this stairway type will cost more than average, about $700 to $1,500.
Curved staircases aren't as tight as spirals and aren't quite as challenging to carpet. However, you will pay on the higher end to get the job done due to the tricky nature of cutting carpet for curves. Expect to pay $500 to $1,250 for this type of installation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 a 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.
Trying to install carpet on stairs without prior experience is not the way to go. This installation is challenging, which is why it’s best left to a professional. Instead of doing it yourself, consider saving money by removing the existing carpet on your stairs yourself. 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.
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—but you could definitely save a lot of time.
Installing carpeting on stairs by yourself could result in incorrect measurements and mistakes that will cost you more in replacement materials. For these reasons, we recommend working with a local carpet installer to get the job done the first time around.
If you're on a limited budget, there are a few simple ways you could save money on this project.
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.
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.
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.
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If you're looking to update your stairway by replacing your carpet, the cost to change carpet stairs to hardwood stairs is between $75 and $200 per stair if you’re installing brand-new wood flooring. If you already have usable wood underneath your carpets, expect to pay between $100 and $300 to remove the carpet. However, even with existing wood on your staircase, your overall costs will increase if you need to refinish and stain the wood.
It’s a good idea to install a rug pad under the carpet for your stairs. To make the pad fit, you’ll need to cut one section for each stair tread that’s about one inch narrower than the stair runner so that it won’t be visible once the carpet is installed on top.
In most cases, carpeting isn’t kind to the wood that it’s attached to. Most carpet installation uses adhesive or nailing strips, both of which will damage wood. Conversely, you can choose to use an adhesive designed to be removed from wood, in which case carpeting can actually protect your hardwood stairs.
If you don’t want to use carpet as a covering for your stairs, you have several alternatives. A few popular choices include hardwood, laminate, and rubber flooring.
Yes, carpeted stairs are safer because carpet helps reduce the chances of slips and falls compared to harder materials like wood, vinyl, tile, or steel staircases, which lack the friction needed for a secure tread. And, if you do happen to fall, carpeted stairs also have more cushioning in the case of an accident.
