Are you in need of a new carpet? Are you at a loss of where to start with the process of installing a new carpet in your home? Do you need some information regarding the cost of installing a new carpet?
The average cost of installing a new carpet is $65 per square meter for the materials and labour. The price will vary depending on carpet material, underlay material if furniture needs to be moved if old carpet needs to be removed, and how large the space is that needs to be carpeted.
If you are finding yourself in a similar situation like this one, this article can help you learn about the average cost of installing a new carpet in your home. To learn more about installing new carpets in a home, keep reading.
What’s Included in the Cost?
The majority of carpet installation companies won’t include the price for every service involved in carpet installation because it adds up quickly. When they come to your house to measure and quote, clarify what’s included in the cost, and make sure it matches what you’re intending to pay for.
Installing a new carpet has various steps. First, the room needs to be empty, then the old flooring needs to be taken up, then the underlay, and then the new carpet and underlay will be installed. Some of these things can be done beforehand to save on costs, but by asking for an itemized list of what you’ll be paying for, you’ll know what you need to do beforehand and what your installer will do for you.
Here’s an idea of some potential costs involved in carpet installation.
Furniture removal
Whatever room needs the new carpet has to be empty before the new carpet can be installed. This means moving all furniture, decorations, plants, wall hangings, storage items, and everything in between to another area of the house or out of the house altogether.
Oftentimes, installation companies will be able to move heavier items like sofas, chairs, dressers, and tables for an extra fee. However, they won’t move extremely heavy objects, like pianos or safes, or really delicate items, like china or curio cabinets. These need to be moved beforehand by you or by an independent party.
You can save on some costs by removing the furniture yourself
Old Carpet Removal
Again, installers are often able to do this for you. Ask about it when they come to measure and quote because it might cost extra.
If installers are able to do it for you, ask about the disposal of the removed carpet. Sometimes it will be included in their service and sometimes it won’t, just make sure you have a plan for how to get rid of it (that follows your communities’ guidelines on carpet disposal) so it doesn’t sit in front of your house for days on end.
Moulding and baseboards removal and replacement
Another thing to consider in this vein is the moulding and trim around your floor. The carpet has to fit under the moulding and baseboards, so check beforehand whether or not your moulding should be removed before the installers come. If it needs to be removed while they’re installing, they’ll do so, but the more delicate wood of the moulding could get broken or damaged in the process and you’ll be the one financing that repair, too.
Subfloor Preparation
To ensure a quality installation, your subfloor needs to be clean and flat. Oftentimes subfloor preparation is already included in the installation quote. However, you have to clarify as some companies charge this separately.
Underlay
Every carpeted floor needs an underlay or padding of some kind. Again, some companies don’t include the price of an underlay with their carpet costs, so ask about it when you contact your installer.
Underlay installation is generally included as part of the carpet installation itself, but ask your installer before you agree to anything. If it’s more cost-effective to purchase an underlay from another supplier, make sure they’ll still install it with your carpet.
Carpet
The price for carpet itself can cost anywhere between $20 to $200 per square meter depending on the material. Make sure the quote you have been given matches your calculations for how much carpet you’ll need. Check to see if the overage is included in the cost and whether you’ll be able to keep the remnants if you are charged.
Installation
The final cost of your installation is the labour itself. This will account for workers, materials like tack strips and staples, tools, and planning. Again, when installers come to measure and quote, they’ll be able to tell you how much the installation itself will cost. Take note that if you are having carpet installed on the stairs, they are quoted separately.
Carpet Installation costs an average of $35. If the installers are to lay more delicate carpets, they will charge you more for the installation.
Which Type of Carpet Should You Choose?
Not all carpets are created equal. There are a variety of different carpet types that differ because of material and pile. All of these will impact how satisfied you’ll be with your final product and should be carefully considered before you contact a carpet supplier.
Material
| Material | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Nylon | Soft and durable. Resistant to stains, wear, mould, mildew, and rot. Less expensive than wool but more expensive than other synthetic fibres. Can last for 12 to 15 years if well taken care of. |
| Polypropylene | Soft often used as a synthetic wool substitute. Stain resistant holds onto oils and dirt but is easy to clean. Less expensive than nylon but more expensive than polyester |
| Polyester | Holds dye well and keeps colors from fading. More hypoallergenic than other alternatives. Often is made of recycled materials Prone to flattening underweight and staining from oils. |
| Triexta | Soft, wear-resistant, stain-resistant. Less expensive than nylon. |
| Wool | Soft, long-lasting, luxurious. Low-grade wool can be prone to staining. Pure wool is susceptible to moth. Wool is naturally flame-resistant. Most expensive. |
| Wool Blend | Wool combined with a synthetic fibre Less expensive than pure wool. |
Pile
Carpet pile refers to the visible surface of the carpet. The look and texture of the pile will depend on how it is constructed or woven, how long or short the fibres are, and how densely packed they are. Piles can be cut, loop, or cut and loop.
When Should I Install New Carpet?
| Pile | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Cut Pile-Plush | Exposed fibres are sheared off. Fibres are densely packed. The resulting carpet is soft and lush. Footprints and vacuum marks are easy to see. Not as durable as other piles. |
| Cut Pile-Twist | Exposed fibres are sheared off. All strands end in a twist which creates a thick, durable texture that can withstand heavy traffic areas. |
| Level Loop | The height of pile is uniform with low and tight loops. Does not show footprints. |
| Patterned Loop | Has two or three different loop heights to create a pattern and more texture which can easily hide dirt and footprints making it an ideal option for high-traffic areas. |
| Cut and Loop | The pile has both cut and loop fibres that result to a patterned carpet. |
There are several signs and indicators that it is time to install a new carpet. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether or not your carpet is ready to be replaced, especially if its appearance is looking just fine, there can be other indicators that can tell you when it’s time for a new carpet. It is important to replace your carpet fairly often both for home quality purposes and health purposes.
The first indicator is if you try to clean out the stains in the carpet several times and they just won’t come out. If you have tried many at-home stain removers, expensive cleaners, and professional carpet cleaning companies, and nothing will work, that is a good sign that it’s time to take the stained carpet out and replace it with new, fresh carpet.
The second indicator is if foul odors are sticking around on the carpet after several cleanings. This could also be tied to the first indicator of not being able to remove tough stains. If you have both stains and odors that won’t come out, that is a sure sign that you should replace the damaged carpet with a new one. Before laying the new carpet, make sure that the odor isn’t also coming from the padding or floorboards underneath so you can determine whether or not you need to replace the whole thing.
The third indicator is if there is visible damage. If the carpet is torn up from wear and tear from foot traffic or more serious accidents like burn marks or scratches from animals, that is an obvious indication that it is time for the carpet to be replaced. It is important you also check and make sure you know what the condition of the mat and floorboards are underneath the actual carpet. Even if the carpet is fine, if there is damage underneath the carpet you can’t see, you should take that into consideration as far as replacing the carpet as well.
The fourth indicator is if you begin to develop allergy-like symptoms. If the carpet is old and isn’t cleaned very often, things like dust, pollen, and pet dander can collect and become irritants to your eyes, nose, and throat. If you are experiencing and quickly on-set of these symptoms and you have an older carpet that has been collecting these irritants for an extended period of time, it is definitely a good idea to consider ditching the old carpet and replacing it.
What to Do Beforehand
1. Remove all the furniture.
You cannot install new carpets and maneuver around furniture. You will need to remove all the furniture out of the room so you can rip out the old carpet without anything in the way. If you are replacing the pad underneath, you will need to pull that out as well.
2. Take down wall decorations.
You will want to remove all the wall decorations if you have any to avoid any of them falling on the workers or falling and breaking. While the majority of the work will be completed on the floor, the work can shake the walls and cause decor or other things hung on the wall to fall off so it is better to take them off just in case.
3. Remove old carpet and underlay.
Carpet removal encompasses more than just pulling up the old material. You will need to take out the carpet as well as the pad underneath if that needs to be replaced as well. It is not typical that you only replace one section of carpet in a room, but replace the whole room so everything matches and looks cohesive.
What else to think about
When you’re choosing carpet for your own home or investment property, one of the most important things to weigh up in your decision is the type and quality of warranties available. Carpeting any property is a big investment so when it comes to product warranties, it always pays to read the small print and to be sure that the carpet you choose is backed by good warranties appropriate for its use. These are some common warranties available for carpets and a guide to which warranties you should look for for your needs.
For more information contact one of our stores.
