Carpet replacement costs $600 to $2,805 per room in 2026
Carpet replacement costs $600 to $2,805 for one room in 2026. Bob Vila puts the national average at $1,772, with most jobs from $785 to $2,805. NerdWallet says $3 to $11 per square foot, so a 1,000 square foot area runs $3,000 to $11,000. The carpet type, the pad, and the size of the space move the price most. Removal and floor repairs cost extra.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeServe | HomeServe says carpet installation runs $800 to $2,000 for a 200 square foot room and $2 to $8 per square foot overall. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists a national average of $1,772 with a typical range of $785 to $2,805, and $3.50 to $11 per square foot installed. |
| NerdWallet | NerdWallet says $3 to $11 per square foot, with $600 to $2,200 for 200 square feet and $3,000 to $11,000 for 1,000 square feet. |
Carpet replacement cost by size and type
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 200 square feet | $600 to $2,200 | NerdWallet |
| 500 square feet | $1,500 to $5,500 | NerdWallet |
| 1,000 square feet | $3,000 to $11,000 | NerdWallet |
| Installed carpet per square foot | $3.50 to $11 | Bob Vila |
| Installation labor per square foot | $0.50 to $1 | Bob Vila |
| Carpet removal per square foot | $2 to $3 | Bob Vila |
| 200 square foot room, installed | $800 to $2,000 | HomeServe |
| Stair installation per step | $12 to $45 | HomeServe |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size of the space | Cost grows with square feet. NerdWallet lists $600 to $2,200 for 200 square feet and $3,000 to $11,000 for 1,000 square feet. |
| Carpet material | Polyester costs $1 to $3 per square foot, while wool runs $4 to $20, so your pick can double the bill. |
| Pad quality | Padding adds $0.75 to $2 per square foot, and a better pad can help the new carpet last longer. |
| Old carpet removal | Bob Vila lists $2 to $3 per square foot for carpet removal and $1.50 to $2 for pad removal, if not in the quote. |
| Floor condition | If the subfloor needs repair, Bob Vila says it can add $600 or more, and NerdWallet lists $3 to $10 per square foot. |
What the price includes
A quote often covers the carpet, the pad, and the labor to lay it. Some quotes include moving light furniture and hauling away the old carpet, but many do not. Removal, subfloor repair, stairs, and stain treatment are often extra. Ask for a line-by-line quote so you can compare bids. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Laying carpet takes tools and skill. A pro uses a power stretcher and a seam iron to pull the carpet tight, so it does not ripple. Labor is only $0.50 to $1 per square foot at Bob Vila, so doing it yourself saves little in a small room. NerdWallet says carpet tiles at $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot are a friendlier DIY choice. You can also pull up the old carpet yourself and skip the removal fee. Leave stairs and large rooms to a pro.
How to tell you need it
Look for worn paths, deep stains that do not clean out, or matted pile that springs back no more. Ripples, loose seams, and a musty smell point to a bad pad or damp floor. If a deep clean does not fix these, it is time to price a new carpet.
How to judge your quote
- Get the price per square foot in writing, split into carpet, pad, and labor.
- Ask if old carpet removal and haul away are in the quote.
- Ask who pays if the subfloor needs repair once the old carpet is up.
- Check the carpet name and pad grade on the quote match what you picked.
- Compare the total with the range above: $600 to $2,805 per room for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Pick a lower-cost fiber such as polyester or olefin. NerdWallet lists these at $1 to $3 per square foot, much less than wool.
- Ask if removal and pad are in the price. Bob Vila lists removal at $2 to $3 per square foot, which adds up fast.
- Move small furniture yourself. Bob Vila lists furniture moving at $25 to $75 per room, which you can skip.
- Get at least three written quotes. Installed prices run from $2 to $8 per square foot at HomeServe, so bids can differ a lot.
- Do all rooms in one visit. HomeServe lists a call-out fee of $75 to $150, so one trip costs less than several small jobs.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Labor is billed by the square foot and wool runs up to $20 per square foot at Bob Vila and NerdWallet, so a pricey fiber lifts a 2026 bill fast.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeServe, Bob Vila and NerdWallet. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace carpet in one room?
Bob Vila puts the national average at $1,772, with most jobs from $785 to $2,805. HomeServe lists $800 to $2,000 for a 200 square foot room.
What is the cost per square foot?
NerdWallet says $3 to $11 per square foot installed. Bob Vila lists $3.50 to $11, and HomeServe lists $2 to $8.
How much does carpet removal cost?
Bob Vila lists carpet removal at $2 to $3 per square foot. HomeServe lists $0.70 to $1.80 per square foot. Ask if removal is already in your quote.
How much does labor cost alone?
Bob Vila says installation labor runs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. HomeServe lists $0.50 to $1.50 plus a call-out fee of $75 to $150.
What costs extra besides the carpet?
Pad adds $0.75 to $2 per square foot, per NerdWallet. Stairs cost $12 to $45 per step at HomeServe, and subfloor repair can add $250 to $750 or more.