How Much Does Carpet Cost?
Firstly, let's look at the average cost to carpet a room or house. The easiest way to do this is to look at carpet costs per square metre.
Refreshing your old carpet with a new one is a great and fast way to improve your home decor immediately.
The average installation cost for carpets can range from £3-£100 per square metre. This drastic price difference is due to the fact that there are many different types of carpet, and each one comes with its own price point.
For a standard mid-range carpet, you should expect to pay around £16.50 per square metre. For an average-sized bedroom of 15m2, this would cost £247.50.
So how long does it take to fit?
An experienced carpet fitter shouldn't take longer than a day to install this, so expect to pay around £100 to £200 in labour. Add on underlay and waste removal, and you're looking at an average cost of £450 to fit a carpet in a bedroom.
If you're looking to get a more accurate price for carpet installation, we can help connect you with local carpet fitters.
But what else can affect the cost of carpets?
Some other things that can affect the job's overall cost include the size of the room that you are installing a new carpet in, the awkwardness of the room (bathrooms for example), the location of your property, and any additional work that you may want to go with the carpet installation.
What additional costs do you need to budget for?
As well as the cost of the carpet itself, you will also need to consider the costs of carpet underlay. This is usually priced at around £2-£15 per square metre.
A budget carpet is an average of around £6 per square metre, a mid-range carpet is an average of around £16.50 per square metre, and a luxury carpet is priced at an average of £60 per square metre.
Fitting Carpet Prices
These average prices are reflected in the table below and indicate the average carpet fitting prices for different jobs in various-sized rooms:
| Job Description | Room Size | Budget Carpet | Mid-Range Carpet | Luxury Carpet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underlay only | Small room (7m2) | £70 | £70 | £70 |
| Carpet only | Small room (7m2) | £42 | £115.50 | £420 |
| Underlay and carpet | Small room (7m2) | £112 | £175.50 | £490 |
| Underlay only | Medium room (15m2) | £150 | £150 | £150 |
| Carpet only | Medium room (15m2) | £90 | £247.50 | £900 |
| Underlay and carpet | Medium room (15m2) | £260 | £397.50 | £1050 |
| Underlay only | Large room (25m2) | £250 | £250 | £250 |
| Carpet only | Large room (25m2) | £150 | £412.50 | £1500 |
| Underlay and carpet | Large room (25m2) | £400 | £662.50 | £1750 |
What are the Supply Costs of Carpet Fitting?
The cost of carpet fitting supplies can vary greatly depending on the type of carpet and materials you use to complete the job. The tables below highlight the average costs for different types of carpet as well as the average costs for different types of underlay.
Different Carpet Types
| Carpet Type | Cost Per Square Metre |
|---|---|
| Berber | £5-£30 |
| Saxony | £8-£20 |
| Shag | £20-£30 |
| Frieze | £20-£30 |
| Level Loop | £5-£30 |
| Woven | £50-£70 |
Different Underlay Types
| Underlay Type | Cost Per Square Metre |
|---|---|
| PU Foam | £4-£8 |
| Sponge Rubber | £3-£11 |
| Crumb Rubber | £6-£10 |
| Felt | £2-£7 |
| Combination | £7-£9 |
What are the Additional Costs of Fitting a Carpet?
You may need to consider several additional costs when installing a new carpet in your home. Below is a list of some additional costs that you may wish to consider for this type of work:
- Adjusting doors - £10-£15 per door
- Underfloor heating - £1000-£1500
- Plastering - £300-£900
- Painting a room - £200-£500
How Much are Carpet Fitters?
If you already have all of the supplies for your new carpet fitting job, then you may be curious as to what you can expect to pay for the labour costs alone. This section will go over the costs you can expect to pay for labour when having your new carpet installed.
The cost for labour will depend on various factors, including the size of the room, the difficulty of the job, and your location in the UK.
The average price you can expect to pay for labour is around £50-£70 for a small room, £70-£90 for a medium-sized room, and £80-£150 for a large room.
Those based in London can expect to pay around £20-£50 more for the overall cost of carpet fitting labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
How Long Does It Take to Fit Carpet?
When having a new carpet fitted, you may be curious to know how long you can expect the job to take. This section will go over the timescales that you can expect for different carpet installations.
The time it takes to install a new carpet in your home will depend mostly upon the size of the room in which it is being fitted. Below is a list of the timescales that you can expect for different sized rooms:
| Size | Time |
|---|---|
| Carpet fitting in a small room | 1-2 hours |
| Carpet fitting in a medium room | 2-4 hours |
| Carpet fitting in a large room | 3-5 hours |
| Carpet fitting on a staircase | 4-6 hours |
Cost to Carpet Stairs
So, you've got it in your mind to give your stairs a makeover with some new carpet. If you're wandering through the maze of options in the UK, wondering how much this is going to cost you, let's have a look at what you can expect to shell out.
You can pay anywhere between £100 to £700 for a carpet on your stairs, depending on which carpet you choose, the carpet fitter, size of your stairs and if you add underlay.
Look at the table below for more information:
| Type | Budget Cost | Average Cost | Premium Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staircase Underlay | £50 | £75 | £100 |
| Staircase Carpet Only | £100 | £300 | £600 |
| Staircase Underlay and Carpet | £150 | £375 | £700 |
Types of Carpet
There are many different types of carpet to choose from, and this choice is often the most difficult part when you decide to have a new carpet installed. To help you make the right choice, we have created a list below the different types of carpet and their advantages and disadvantages.
Berber Carpet Cost
Berber is a loop style of carpet. The loops in Berber carpeting aren't cut at all, so their loops stay intact. This type of carpet is very durable and so makes a great choice of carpet for high-traffic areas such as the hallway or your living room.
However, one of the downsides of Berber carpeting is that it may become damaged by things like pet nails which may get caught in the loops and snag them. Berber carpeting tends to cost around £7-£100 per square metre on average.
Pros:
- Durable
- Affordable
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Can be considered outdated
- Limited colours available
- Not as soft as other options
- Difficult to repair
Saxony Carpet Cost
Saxony carpeting is a soft cut pile type of carpet with an even surface. It is typically woven very densely and feels very comfortable under the feet. One of the main disadvantages of Saxony carpeting is that it tends to show vacuum and footprint marks.
Saxony carpet is an elegant style of carpet that goes well in most rooms. The average price per square metre for Saxony carpeting is around £8-£20.
Pros:
- Luxury feel
- Durable
- Classic style
Cons:
- Can show footprints and vacuum marks
- Not the best quality
- Not as soft as other options
Shag Carpet Cost
Shag carpeting is very thick, bulky, and has a much deeper pile than other carpet types. This makes it incredibly comfortable to walk on. The yarn is twisted to give a signature curly look. It is easy to hide the seams on shag carpeting, so it's perfect for larger rooms such as the living room.
A downside of shag carpeting is that stains and dust can sink into the fibres making it very difficult to clean. The long strands on shag carpeting can also make it difficult for people who use wheelchairs or strollers. The average cost of shag carpeting is around £20-£30 per square metre.
Frieze Carpet Cost
Frieze is s style of cut pile carpeting. It is very similar to shag carpeting, but the strands are thinner and have a lower pile. The yarn is twisted to give it a curly look. Frieze carpeting is soft and durable, and it is easy to hide seams which makes it perfect for larger rooms.
One of the downsides of Frieze carpeting is that it can be difficult to clean and stains have a tendency to sink into the backing. On average, Frieze tends to cost around £20-£30 per square metre.
Level Loop Carpet Cost
Level loop carpeting includes loops that are all the same height. This means that the carpet has an even and level surface. This style of carpet is thin and can most often be found in commercial buildings or offices. However, it can also make a good low-maintenance carpet for the home.
This type of carpeting is very durable and good for high-traffic areas. It's also great for people who own pets as their claws are less likely to become caught in the fibres. Level loop carpeting costs around £5-£48 per metre squared on average.
Pros:
- Cheaper than other luxury carpets
- Durable
- Better stain resistance than other carpets
- The pile has bounce back properties
Cons:
- It isn't as soft underfoot
- Can be easily damaged by pets
Woven Carpet Cost
Woven carpets take much longer to manufacture than other types of carpet and so come with a higher price point. On average, it is around £40-£80 per metre squared for a woven carpet. The pile of the carpet is woven into the backing and cut to length, which creates a soft, velvety tuft.
Woven carpets feel very comfortable and luxurious and look great in most rooms. Due to their higher price point and the time it takes to manufacture, woven carpets are much less common than other carpet styles.
Pros:
- The pile has bounce back properties
- Extremely durable
- Stain resistant
Cons:
- Can prove to be expensive
- Not as soft as other options
Benefits of Carpets
Carpets are an incredibly popular choice of flooring in the UK, and there are some good reasons for it. The list below highlights some of the main benefits of having carpet installed in your home:
Appearance
There are so many different styles and colours of carpet available. You'll easily find the right one to suit your taste and go with the aesthetic of the room it's going in. You can easily create the look you want in your home with the right carpet.
Insulation
Carpets contribute to the insulation of your home, and this makes them a great energy-saving option. Carpets are also very cosy, and so can give off the psychological feeling of being warm. This can be especially helpful in the winter months.
Softness
Most types of carpet are usually very soft, which makes them incredibly cosy. This can help to make your space feel homelier. Carpets can also be much easier on the feet than hard floors.
Safety
Hard floors can sometimes be a safety hazard as you are much more prone to slips and falls on a hard floor than a carpet. Since carpets tend to be soft and bouncy, if you were to fall on one, you are much less likely to become badly injured than if you were to fall on a hard floor.
Acoustics
Studies have found that carpeted floors tend to absorb sounds from within the room. Carpets with extra padding can even further enhance this.
Health
Carpets are known to trap allergen, dust, and other contaminants, which hard floors simply can't do. This means that allergens and dirt are held in place until they can be properly cleaned away or removed.
Easy to Maintain
Carpets are easy to maintain. A weekly vacuuming tends to be the trick to keeping your carpet in its best condition. Carpets tend to be much easier to maintain than hard floors.
How much Does It Cost to Remove a Carpet?
You may wish to remove your carpet if you are looking to have new flooring installed in a room. While this can be done as a DIY job, you may feel more comfortable hiring professionals to do the work for you.
If that is the case, you can hire a professional carpet fitter to come and remove your carpet. This will cost around £1-£4 per square metre on average. Some companies will charge per carpet rather than per square metre. In these cases, you can expect to pay around £15-£20 per carpet.
FAQs
Q: How do you measure stairs for carpet?
A: To measure stairs for a carpet installation, you will need to note down the number of stairs. Then, take the measurements of the tread and riser, and the measurement of the stair widths.
These are the measurements that you should give to your carpet supplier so that you can ensure you get the right amount of carpet for the size of your stairs.
Q: How long does carpet last for?
A: On average, carpets tend to last around 5-10 years. This will mainly depend on the amount of foot traffic in the area and the quality of the carpet.
Q: Should I paint or wallpaper my walls before having a new carpet installed?
A: Yes, it is recommended that you take care of any decorating before your new carpet is installed. This means that if there are any accidental spillages, it won't go onto the new carpet.
Q: Is it worth fitting my own carpet?
A: If you have a little experience of fitting carpet you may be able to save yourself some money by installing it yourself. However, if you are unsure then we would recommend paying a professional to fit your carpet. they have the tools, and knowledge and can complete the job quickly.
Q: How often do I need to clean my carpet?
A: You should thoroughly vacuum clean your carpet at least once per week. In higher traffic areas you may prefer to give a light vacuum every couple of days. Carpets should also be steam cleaned occasionally. It is recommended that this is done every 12-18 months.
Sources
- https://housetipster.com/housetips/1786/carpet-styles-pros-cons
- https://theflooringgirl.com/blog/what-is-a-saxony-carpet
- https://www.carpet1st.co.uk/choosing-your-carpet/types-of-carpet/woven
- https://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/10-Benefits-of-Carpet--17047
- https://www.brentcarpets.co.uk/news/when-should-i-replace-my-carpet
- https://www.carpetright.co.uk/advice/planning-guides/budget-planning/
