Whether installed in a brand new home or in an older home with scratched-up wooden floors, new carpet adds aesthetic flavor to any room. Other benefits (besides the variety of colors and styles available) are the ability for carpet to retain heat in the cooler months and stay cooler in warmer months as well as absorbing sound within a room, acting as a sound barrier between different levels of the home.
Carpet is usually very easy to maintain and clean. The four most commonly-used fibers in carpets sold are nylon, olefin, polyester, and wool. Some carpets will actually be a blend of two or more of these carpet fibers. Each type of carpet fiber has its pros and cons, which will affect your overall cost. Be sure to
ask your installer which carpet type is right for you.
Typical Costs for Nylon Carpet Installation Services
- Low-End Estimate: $15 per square yard
- High-End Estimate: $50 per square yard
- These estimates include both the cost of carpet and installation.
- Nylon is used in approximately 65% of the carpet sold in the U.S.
- Nylon is a very durable fiber with excellent performance characteristics. Its strengths include:
Good resiliency
Good stain resistance with stain treatment applied
Good soil hiding ability
Good abrasion resistance
Strong fibers to handle high-traffic areas of homes
Soil and mildew resistant
Typical Costs for Olefin Carpet Installation Services
- Low-End Estimate: $15 per square yard
- High-End Estimate: $50 per square yard
- These estimates include both the cost of carpet and installation.
- Olefin makes up about 30% of the fiber used in U.S. carpet manufacturing today. Its strengths include:
Durability
Superior stain resistance (except for oil-based stains)
Low cost
Superior resistance to bleaches and sunlight fading
Easy to clean
High resistance to moisture and mildew
Low static carpet
Will not shed like other carpets
Typical Costs for Polyester Carpet Installation Services
Typical Costs for Wool Carpet Installation Services
- Low-End Estimate: $50 per square yard
- High-End Estimate: $90 per square yard
- These estimates include both the cost of carpet and installation.
- Wool makes up about 1% of the fiber used in U.S. carpet manufacturing today (as its price is usually too high for most consumers). Its strengths include:
Excellent resilience and durability
Cleans extremely well
Provides beautiful colors
Naturally stain resistant
Additional Costs Related to Carpet Installation Services
- Installing New Padding
Low-End Estimate: $2 per square yard
High-End Estimate: $9 per square yard
Consider upgrading the padding that may come with the carpet, as many carpet companies offer very thin base padding.
- Installing Wooden Tack Strips
Low-End Estimate: $0.25 per yard
High-End Estimate: $1 per yard
Installing tack strips over concrete (instead of over wood floors) often costs more.
- Carpeting Stairs
Low-End Estimate: $4 per step
High-End Estimate: $8 per step
The more stairs you have in your home, the longer it will take to complete this separate carpeting service. Ask your installer what they charge for a specific number of stairs. Usually there are minimum fees.
- Installing Transitions
Low-End Estimate: $1 per square foot
High-End Estimate: $5 per square foot
The carpet will meet other flooring types and must have a transition of some type installed.
Transitions can be made of wood, metal, rubber or plastic.
- Trimming the Bottom of Doors
Roughly $10 per door
New carpet is often thicker than your older carpet, and the doors may drag on the new carpet. Your doors may need to be trimmed at the bottom to ensure they open and close properly.
- Binding
Estimated at $1 to $4 per linear foot, with serge at $4 to $7 per linear foot.
- Installing a New Subfloor
Roughly $3 per square foot, but could vary with the complexity of the job
What to Expect from Carpet Installation Services
Professional Carpet Installers will:
- Remove the old carpet and padding. Some carpet installers recycle the old materials, so you might want to ask.
- Assess the condition of the subfloor and replace (if applicable).
- Install the wooden tack strips.
- Install the carpet padding.
- Measure, cut, and lay the carpet.
- Affix the carpet into corners.
- Use a power stretcher to attach the carpet.
- Trim excess carpet and tidy the edges.
- Secure the carpet in place under transitions and thresholds.
As for which carpet to choose, Bob Rowley of
Restor-It Flooring in Marietta, Ga., suggests homeowners do a little research on the fiber types, the wear you can expect with each type of carpet, and the warranties that come with the carpet.
Do-It-Yourself Tips for Carpet Installation
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