Whenever I try and find information through the internet, I immediately get a case of option paralysis.

Why does it always take an entire day of internet searching to find a good answer to whatever question I have?

It’s ridiculous and it’s stopping right here, right now. I’m going to lay it all out for you so that you can get the best idea about what you might need, how much it will cost and where to find the best answers for your needs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Why Choose Carpet?
2. Don’t Forget About These: Installation and Other Costs
3. Pricing Out Your Carpet
4. Costs of Maintenance

Why Choose Carpet?

Great question! There are great reasons to choose a carpet and there is actually some cool science involved.

First, it is one of the most inexpensive flooring options you could choose. The price range can be anywhere from $1 to $6 per square foot on average. You could get all the way up to $50 or $90 if you want to get outrageous with prices but you can expect it to be consistently under $7 per square foot. No matter how expensive your tastes are or how tight your budget is, the sky’s the limit when it comes to carpet.

Of course, your own tastes are some of the biggest factors in the buying process. You’re not going to buy something you don’t like! So what are your preferences? Do you prefer nylon, soft plush, loop or wool carpets? What’s your favorite color? Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi? These age-old questions are the fun part of choosing your new carpet.

Allergies are another big reason why people opt for carpet. Carpet manufacturers make a carpet that can trap allergens so that they are easier to vacuum. Allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, and even pet hair are easier to vacuum and get out of the air with these types of carpets.

Pricing Out Your Carpet

Carpet sits in the range of $1.50 to $5 per square foot on average.   

You can go more expensive if you're feeling fancy but I wouldn't go much cheaper.  There is carpet that is cheaper than a dollar fifty, I'm sure you could find some for 50 cents a square foot!  Unless it is a sale price, you start risking quality when you go that low.  The point here is to make sure you follow up with the professional you're buying from as to whether or not the carpet you're looking at will suit your needs and your budget.  

Let's lay everything out here.  There are 4 things you are paying for when installing carpet.  

1. Removal and Disposal of current carpet (disposal is off-site) - You can expect to pay about $0.60 per square foot for this process.

2. Cost of the material - I just said it!  $1.50 - $5. But for the sake of this example, let's say the carpet you're buying is $3.50 per square foot. 

3. Carpet pad (the cushion underneath the carpet) - Pads usually range between $0.40 - $1.50 per square foot depending on its quality, thickness and durability.  Let's use $0.80 per square foot for our example.  

4. Cost of installation - Installation usually costs about $1 per square foot.  This includes the installation of the carpet and the pad underneath.  Costs of installation is varies between retailers.  Many local retailers' installations come with a warranty and professional, go-to service whenever you need help.  

Now that we have everything that goes into the overall cost, let's get some average prices down so you can get a more accurate representation of what you could end up paying for your new carpet.  

Cost of Installing Carpet

The hardest part about giving estimates is taking all possible factors into consideration. The remodeling process is a lot to handle. To make it easy, I’m going to lay out some variables to take into consideration when buying a carpet. These variables have their own effect on the final cost of installation:

• The Installation - Carpet is one of the more challenging install jobs for beginners. Many people may prefer the ease and care that comes with a professional installation. Either way, here are some qualities about the room that will affect the price and time of the install process:
  
  • Irregular Shaped Rooms - Rooms that aren’t perfect squares will probably require the installers to cut the carpet and fit it to the size of the room. This will take extra time but it also creates more waste which adds to the final cost.
  • Stairs - If your room has stairs that you want to be done, they too will take extra time and create more waste that adds to the final cost.

• Children and Pets - Your fur babies and actual babies have an enormous effect on what type of carpet you decide to buy. There are great stain proof, allergy absorbing, durable carpets that parents trust. However, it’s easy for these carpets with add-ons to get more expensive.

Maintenance

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to set aside some money for future expenses regarding the maintenance of your new carpet!

We want to keep it looking new, so investing in a vacuum and a steam cleaner would keep it looking fresh. The last thing you want is for your guests to see the tumbleweeds of pet hair rolling across your carpet so getting a good vacuum or steam cleaner will allow for regular upkeep. A stock of spot cleaner is also always good to have on hand for the pet messes or juice spills!

Beyond that, some manufacturer warranties require annual cleaning performed by professionals.

The typical lifespan of a carpet is about 10 years and the routine upkeep by you and the professionals will make sure you get your money’s worth.

When professionals come out to clean your carpet they have to consider travel, cost of materials and the time it takes to complete the job. These factors change on a case by case basis but you can expect $100-$200 per room for professional cleaning.

When you’re buying a carpet, you need to consider the right questions:

• Who is going to be using it?
• Kids? Pets?
• How much do you need?
• Which looks and feels the best for you?

And, as with most flooring investments, be prepared financially for future costs of maintenance. The final cost will reveal itself in the answers to these types of questions.

Enjoy the research because it is where you can spend the time to customize your new look and tailor the carpet to your style and needs.

The links throughout this article can lead you to further research on brands and information as well as the experts you can trust to give you the honest answer.

More Carpet Relevant Research

How Much Does it Cost to Replace Flooring? (A 2019 Comprehensive Guide)

The Cost of a Fresh Carpet: The Price of Maintenance

DIY Flooring Do’s and Don’ts: What You Can and (Shouldn’t) Install By Yourself

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