Carpet Installation Cost Calculator (2026)
By Dan Whitlock, Home Projects Editor · Updated July 2026
Carpet is priced by the square foot, with the total covering the carpet, the pad underneath, and labor to install it. In 2026, that bundle runs about $3.50 to $11 per square foot installed, so a typical room or two lands somewhere around $1,200 to $3,800. Carpet grade is the biggest lever — builder-grade olefin sits at the bottom and wool at the top — followed by padding, stairs, and hauling away the old carpet. Enter your area below to build a grounded estimate.
Estimate your cost
Square feet to carpet. A typical bedroom is ~150–200 sq ft; a living room ~300–400.
Cushion under the carpet, priced across your whole area.
Labor and materials swing with local cost of living.
Estimated carpet installation cost
$1,150 – $3,625
Most homeowners pay around $1,975
Cost breakdown
- 330 × ~$6$1,980
Planning estimate based on 2026 national price data — not a quote. Get local quotes to confirm.
Free, no obligation. We may earn a commission if you request quotes — it never changes your price.
What drives your carpet installation cost
- Area: carpet, pad, and labor all scale with square footage, so the size of the job is the dominant cost.
- Carpet grade: builder-grade olefin runs $1–$3 per square foot in material, mid-grade nylon $2–$5, and wool $4–$20.
- Padding: a standard pad is usually bundled in; upgrading to a denser rubber pad adds roughly $1 per square foot.
- Stairs: carpeting a staircase is labor-intensive at about $11–$26 per step on top of the flat-area price.
- Old-carpet removal: tearing out and hauling the old carpet and pad adds roughly $1–$2 per square foot if it isn’t included.
Ready for real numbers?
A calculator gets you the fair range. Local quotes confirm it for your exact home. Comparing 2–3 pros is the single best way to avoid overpaying on a carpet installation.
Free, no obligation. We may earn a commission if you request quotes — it never changes your price.
Ways to save
- Choose a quality mid-grade nylon over premium wool unless a specific room demands it — the durability gap is smaller than the price gap.
- Buy carpet during retailer sale events, which often bundle free basic pad or install.
- Move your own furniture and pull up the old carpet yourself to cut labor charges.
- Carpet several rooms in one visit to spread the installer’s trip and minimum charges.
- Ask whether removal and haul-away are included before assuming it’s a separate line item.
Helpful products
Doing part of this yourself? These are the product categories most people buy for this job. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases — it never changes your price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does carpet installation cost per square foot in 2026?
Carpet, pad, and labor together run about $3.50 to $11 per square foot installed. Builder-grade carpet sits near the bottom, while premium nylon and wool push toward the top.
How much does it cost to carpet a room?
A typical bedroom or living room lands around $900 to $2,800 installed depending on size and carpet grade. A standard living room often runs $1,500–$4,000.
How much does carpeting stairs cost?
Carpeting a staircase runs about $11 to $26 per step on top of the flat-area price, because stairs take far more cutting, fitting, and labor than open floor.
Does carpet installation include removing the old carpet?
Sometimes, but not always. Removing and hauling away old carpet and pad typically adds about $1–$2 per square foot, so confirm whether it’s bundled into your quote.
Sources
Price ranges cross-referenced against these 2026 cost guides and contractor databases:
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