If you're planning to have a new carpet installed in your home, of course, one of your primary considerations is the cost. It helps to know how much you would need to spend so that you can prepare your budget accordingly. We'll help you with that in this article. We've researched the carpet installation cost, particularly with a room size of 10x12 for your reference, and here's what we've found out.
It'll cost you between $200 and $900 to carpet a 10x12 room. The installation cost would vary depending on the materials used for the carpet and padding, room size, labor cost, and additional services needed to get the job done.
Here is the breakdown of prices per square foot:
- Carpet material: $1 - $4.50
- Carpet padding: $0.25 - $1
- Labor rate: $0.50 - $1.50
- Additional services: $0.25 - $2
Keep on reading so we can tell you more regarding the factors that'll influence the total cost of your carpet installation. We'll also answer if Home Depot charges you for this service, how often you need to have your carpet replaced, and if hardwood flooring is cheaper than a carpet. Let's get started!
Carpet Installation Cost
Carpet is one of the most popular choices for flooring material on the market today. It comes in various colors and designs that can easily enhance the look of a home's interior. It softens your home, literally and figuratively.
It makes your home feel warm and comfortable, and it cushions you when you slip or fall. A carpet also helps reduce noise and improves indoor air quality by trapping dust and other particles.
The carpet installation cost would depend on the material and quality of the carpet, padding, room size, and labor cost. Other factors such as additional work to be done for moving the furniture, removing old flooring, other materials needed, and configuring the carpet to the room's shape also affect the total price.
On average, a new carpet installation will cost you between $2 and $8 per square foot.
Carpets can be made from different materials that influence their quality, sustainability, and price. Olefin is the most affordable carpet material at $1 per square foot, followed by polyester and nylon at around $2 to $3 per square foot. The most expensive material is wool, with an average price of $20 for each square foot.
You also have to buy padding for your carpet, which would cost you between $0.25 to $1. The labor cost is approximately $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. For additional services that you may need, expect the rate to be around $0.25 to $2.
Considering all of these, prepare to shell out between $200 and $900 for the carpet installation of a 10x12 room. You can adjust the rate according to the size of your room or the number of rooms where you will have carpet installed to manage your budget and expectations.
Is Home Depot carpet installation really free?
Home Depot claims in its advertisements that its installation is free when you buy your carpet from them. Naturally, this would entice homeowners to buy from them. After all, who wouldn't want to be rid of labor costs, right?
According to their website, the average rate for the carpet itself is between $1 to $4 per square foot, depending on the chosen carpet type. Meanwhile, you have to purchase this with padding, which will cost you between $0.60 to $1 per square foot.
If you would like to qualify for their free installation service, you have to check their ongoing promotions or deals. They might require a minimum purchase for a specific type of carpet.
Know that Home Depot just coordinates with third-party contractors for their carpet installation services. But they assure buyers that they have done rigorous background checking on their outsourced service providers and these companies are licensed and insured.
So, is there a catch? Is it really free?
Some experts in the carpet industry are quick to remind homeowners to think twice before agreeing to this kind of arrangement. If issues arise later on regarding the installation service, it might be hard for buyers to get in touch with the contractor to make them accountable for the quality of the job.
Buyers should also be aware of what's written on the fine print. Home Depot says that only the basic carpet installation is free. This puts a limit to the free service that they provide.
It means that you won't be charged extra when you already have an existing subflooring, and they will use the current tack strips that you've got. If you don't have these yet, then that's when things can get a little complicated.
They say that this is where the hidden fees and additional costs come in. The use of special tools and items to complete the process will be charged extra as well as other services that you require.
The contractors will also offer add-ons and upgrades which may not be totally necessary for your home carpet needs. In the end, you might end up paying more than those who did not get the free installation promo.
So, make sure you understand the coverage of Home Depot's free installation service before you agree with their terms. You should also ask for free quotations from your local carpet installers for your reference so you can make the best choice.
How often should carpet be replaced?
Carpets have a life expectancy of 5 to 15 years. Of course, it would depend on the quality of the material used, your usage, and the proper maintenance of the carpet.
Wool is said to be the most durable material to use for a home carpet, so you can expect it to last longer. If more people in the household use the carpet, it is supposed to become worn out prematurely. But if the carpet is well-cared for, it can even last for more than 20 years!
Carpet Cleaning & Maintenance
This means that you don't have to change your carpet frequently as long as you take good care of it. Clean your carpet regularly. Remove dirt and stains.
You can also sprinkle it with baking soda before using a vacuum to clean it. This will help you get rid of odors and help remove dirt. This way, your carpet will look clean and fresh all the time, even with the passing of years. This is how you take care of your investment.
- it gets harder to remove foul odors and nasty stains,
- if the carpet already looks old and frayed,
- if it has incurred irreparable damage,
- or it has been triggering your allergies more often,
it must be a sign for you to get a new one.
Is flooring cheaper than carpet?
One of the homeowners' primary considerations when choosing the flooring material for their houses is the cost. Hardwood flooring and carpet are two of the most common choices. Aside from being completely different from each other when it comes to inherent qualities, there's also a huge difference when it comes to their prices.
Hardwood flooring has an average price of $8 per square foot, while a carpet is usually sold at $3 for the same size. Obviously, when we only consider the upfront costs, carpet is significantly cheaper than hardwood flooring.
Final Thoughts
Your budget should be between $200 and $900 for new carpet installation in a 10x12 room. Choose a high-quality carpet material and use it with care so that your investment will go a long way.
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