how much does carpet cost?

[Grumpy's Gal]

I know -- it depends on so many things.

I have a livingroom and I want new, good carpet. We have the original builder's grade carpet that's about 15 years over due for being replaced.

Can anyone give me an idea on how much good carpet costs ( per square yard or foot?) I just am blind going into trying to figure this out.

I don't want to ask them to come and give an estimate if we can't even come close to knowing what it might cost first.

 

[ceecee]

Ask friends, who may know. We have a carpet place that beats the others hands down. Also avoid places that sell by the foot, it seems cheaper by it's not. Have several estimates. Lowes was $3000 more than what we paid and we got a thicker pad and better carpet. We did large living/dining area, hallway, steps and 3 bedrooms with carpet. Duraceramic tile in the small entry way. Upgraded linoleum in the kitchen and 3 baths (with rements of linoleum) for $5000. This was 4 years ago in our old house. Another carpet place gave us an estimate that was $9000.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Avoid the big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot if you can. The prices are usually higher and the people they have installing carpet don't always know how to seam it properly. I have a 1600 sq ft home. We put nice mid grade pile carpet in every room except the kitchen and bathrooms for $1700 about three years ago. I don't remember how much it was per square foot.

 

[we3travellers]

My DH is feeding me this info as he has been a flooring installer for 35 yrs!

We are in Canada, so these figures are all relative. He says for a decent grade carpet and good underpad, you shouldn't have to spend more than $25-$30 per sq yd., including installation and 8lb. underpad. He says the thickness of the underpad is not what makes it better, but the density. Also, don't splurge on good carpet and cheap out on the underpad. You will only be wasting your money. Buy a good nylon carpet. If you can find a good independant installer that has access to a distributor, you will save a ton! Figure out your yardage and multiply by $25 (minimum) and you'll have your figure. As PP said, don't get sucked in by a "per foot" price that sounds too good! Hope this helps. Any other questions, please feel free to pm me. Also, your prices in the US are always lower, so take that in to consideration. Not sure where you live, but Georgia is the carpet capital of the world! Even most of ours is shipped from there. Just telling you this as you may have direct access to a manufacturer.

 

[LJSquishy]

We are also looking at having our carpet replaced, roughly 450-500sq ft of it. Luckily our downstairs is hardwoods. I did recently check out Home Depot and Lowes, and it was around $3.75/sq ft or so including their most "premium" pad. That was for the better tiered carpet they offer, not the cheapest. Installation at both big box stores is usually either Free as a promotion, or $99 as a different promotion. Stairs almost always cost extra, about $7 per stair I think...it can add up...but you just need your living room carpeted so that is irrelevant!

I didn't know to stay away from Home Depot & Lowes, so that is great info! I will definitely check out local, independent carpet stores when we're closer to replacing it.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

thank you everyone for your thoughts. I really appreciate it! I know this is not an exciting topic but one that's causing me a little stress.