Carpet cost by room and home size
Installed prices include pad. Mid-grade nylon runs $4–$6 per sq ft, polyester $3–$5, and wool $9–$15:
| Area | Polyester | Nylon | Wool |
|---|
| 12 × 12 bedroom (144 sq ft) | $430 – $720 | $580 – $860 | $1,300 – $2,160 |
| Living room (~300 sq ft) | $900 – $1,500 | $1,200 – $1,800 | $2,700 – $4,500 |
| 3-bedroom home (~1,000 sq ft) | $3,000 – $5,000 | $6,000 – $10,600 | $9,000 – $15,000 |
Stairs are billed per step ($25–$45), not by the square foot. The 3-bedroom nylon figure is a full-project number that includes tear-out, furniture moving, and an upgraded pad.
The pad matters more than you think
Carpet pad runs from a basic 6-lb ($0.40–$0.70/sq ft) to a premium 10-lb memory pad ($0.85–$1.30), with moisture-barrier pads ($1.10–$1.85) for pets and basements. It's tempting to economize here, but don't: the pad does most of the work absorbing foot traffic, and a quality pad meaningfully extends the carpet's life. Two things people miss — most carpet warranties are voided if you reuse old pad, and skimping on pad makes even an expensive carpet feel cheap and wear out years early. Spend on the pad you walk on, not just the fiber you see.
FAQ
How much does carpet cost per square foot installed in 2026?
Mid-grade nylon carpet runs $4-$6 per sq ft installed including pad. Polyester $3-$5, wool $9-$15, triexta $5-$8.
Should I replace the pad?
Yes. Most carpet warranties are voided if you reuse old pad. A good 8 lb pad is $0.55-$0.90 per sq ft and adds years to the carpet.
Can I install carpet myself?
For a single small room with no seams, possible. Anything with seams or stairs really wants a power-stretcher and seam iron — skill-dependent. Most DIYers do the demo and let a pro install.
How much does it cost to carpet a room?
A 12x12 bedroom (144 sq ft) runs about $430-$720 in polyester, $580-$860 in nylon, and $1,300-$2,160 in wool, installed with pad. Stairs are extra at $25-$45 per step.
What is the most durable carpet fiber?
Nylon is the durability standard for high-traffic areas like stairs and hallways. Triexta (SmartStrand) is close behind with strong built-in stain resistance, and wool is the premium resilient option. Polyester is softer but matts faster under heavy use.
How much does it cost to carpet a 3-bedroom house?
About 1,000-1,200 sq ft of carpet: roughly $3,000-$5,000 in polyester and $9,000-$15,000 in wool, installed with pad; removing old carpet and pad adds $0.40-$0.85 per sq ft. In mid-grade nylon, a whole-house project runs about $7,000-$12,400 with old-carpet removal, furniture moving, and an upgraded pad included.
More questions
How long does carpet installation take?
Single room: 2-4 hours. Whole house: 1-2 days for most homes; bigger homes with stairs or seam matching take 2-3 days.
Do I need to be home during install?
For at least the start (decisions about seam placement, transitions, threshold heights). Most installers are fine to work unattended after that.
Can I install over existing carpet?
No. The pad compresses unevenly, seams telegraph through, and warranty is void. Always rip up the old carpet and pad first.
Does carpet off-gas?
Yes — VOCs from new carpet and adhesives outgas for 24-72 hours. Open windows after install; consider Green Label Plus certified products if VOC-sensitive.
How long does carpet last?
Polyester 5-8 years, nylon 8-15 years, wool 20+ years — assuming a quality pad and normal residential traffic.
