What carpet costs, installed
Carpet is priced by the square yard in the store and by the square foot in a quote, which is how people get confused. The pad is a separate line and it decides how long the carpet looks new. Installation is the cheapest of any floor here; the fiber is where the money goes.
$3.50–$18.50 per square foot installed
Full range $2.50–$22. Typical installed cost is the middle half of the national range, materials and labor at average rates. Builder-grade product with the cheapest crew runs under it; premium product with a specialist runs over.
| Material | Installed | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon CarpetThe performance benchmark for cut-pile carpet. | $5.50–$8.50 / sq ft | 10–20 yrs |
| Triexta (PTT) CarpetBuilt-in stain resistance with resilience that closes most of the gap to nylon. | $5.50–$8 / sq ft | 8–18 yrs |
| Polyester / PET CarpetSoftest hand and best value — with a resilience trade-off. | $4–$6.50 / sq ft | 5–12 yrs |
| Olefin (Polypropylene) CarpetThe cheapest fiber that won’t hold water — with a real heat weakness. | $3.50–$5.50 / sq ft | 5–10 yrs |
| Wool CarpetThe natural luxury fiber — beautiful, breathable, expensive. | $11.50–$18.50 / sq ft | 20–40 yrs |
Three things that change the price
- Fiber: polyester and olefin are cheapest, nylon and triexta last, wool is a luxury
- Pad density: a thin rebond under a good carpet halves its life
- Stairs and seams: both are priced separately
Put your own square feet in
National averages: material plus installation per square foot from the same cost tables FlooringFAQ publishes, extras at typical contractor rates. Local labor moves the range; a quote far outside it deserves a question.
Want an actual local price?
Labor rates, removal and prep vary by town and by house. Local professionals can quote the scope above; compare them on the same square feet.
No obligation. You choose whether to contact the professionals who respond.