Hardwood and luxury vinyl plank dominate the flooring world. However, 40% of the flooring market is soft, indicating that many homes prefer warm, fuzzy carpets for living rooms. How much does it cost to carpet a 10×12 room? depending on the type of carpet.
This carpet guide gathers price estimates from throughout the web, outlines your primary cost considerations for a 0.50 to carpet a 10 12 room, and provides budgeting tools for a quick yet impactful carpet replacement in your home. It’s affordable, too. And in a place this small, you can refresh your carpet on the cheap, including the cost of old carpet removal.
Carpet installation cost breakdown – Install a Carpet
The correct carpeting can give cosiness, comfort, and a little warmth under the feet. Fresh carpeting of a trendy style will help improve a room made dismal by unclean, years-old fibres.
You can expect to pay between $3.50 – $11 per square foot for the luxury of enjoying fresh new carpet in your house. In a 10 12 size, or 120 square feet, the carpet, padding, and installation cost $420 to $1,320.
Carpet
Your budget is dominated by carpeting. Carpet type determines price. Builder grade carpet costs range from $.65 to $12 per square foot. Carpet material costs $78 to $1,440 for a 10×12 room.
Factors that affect the total cost of the carpet include material, cut style or construction, and pile height. However, to fully grasp the financial implications of carpet installation, it’s essential to consider all elements involved in the process.
Carpet Material
The carpet itself is the most significant expense. Prices can vary drastically depending on the type of fiber, ranging from as low as $0.65 to as high as $12 per square foot. This means carpeting a standard 10×12 room (120 square feet) could cost between $78 and $1,440 just for the carpet.
Padding
Often overlooked but crucial, padding plays a major role in comfort and longevity. It ranges from $0.25 to $1.20 per square foot, adding $30 to $144 to your budget for a 10×12 room. Quality padding not only makes a carpet feel plush but also provides insulation, reduces allergens, and dampens sound.
Installation Costs
Labor is another significant factor. While DIY installations can save money, professional installation typically costs between $1 and $2 per square foot, amounting to $120 to $240 for a 10×12 room. It’s important to clarify whether services like furniture removal are included in the quoted rate, as this can affect the overall cost.
In summary, the total cost to carpet a 10×12 room can range from $228 to over $1,800, depending on the choices made at each step. Understanding these components helps in planning and budgeting effectively for your carpet installation project.
Padding
Don’t skimp on carpet cushioning because you’ll never see it. Pad. It feels so pleasant to walk on a big, thick pad with bare feet, so it’s worth it to pay on decent padding.
Walking on a carpet on concrete without padding is uncomfortable on your feet and knees. Padding isn’t only comfortable to walk on it insulates the floor, dampens sound, and minimises allergies. Carpet padding costs $.25 to $1.20 per square foot, or $30 to $144 for your 10×12 project.
Installation
Carpet installation labour must be included. Buying carpet and padding from Home Depot includes free installation. Other firms charge installation per project, room, or square foot. Installation costs $1–2 per square foot. Carpeting a 10 12 room costs $120 to $240.
How to Save Money by Installing Carpet Yourself
Saving money on carpeting isn’t just about choosing budget-friendly materials; it’s also about tackling the installation yourself.
Cost-Effective Carpet Choices
Opt for Budget-Friendly Materials:
- Choose materials like medium pile Berber or nylon carpeting. These options are often more affordable while still providing quality and durability.
DIY Installation Benefits
- Labor Cost Savings:
- By handling the installation on your own, you effectively eliminate labor costs.
- Control Over Timeline:
- You can work at your own pace, completing the project over weekends or evenings without incurring extra charges.
- Customization:
- Doing it yourself allows you to customize the fit and feel to your preferences without additional expenses.
Steps to DIY Carpet Installation
- Preparation:
- Measure your space accurately to buy the right amount of carpet. Purchase a little extra to account for mistakes.
- Gather Supplies:
- Get all necessary tools. Essential items include a carpet knife, a knee kicker, tack strips, and a seam roller.
- Remove Old Flooring:
- Prepping the area by removing any existing carpet or flooring saves you from paying for this service.
- Install Padding:
- Carpet padding is crucial for comfort and extends the life of your carpet. Lay it down carefully to avoid any wrinkles or bumps.
- Lay the Carpet:
- Use the knee kicker to stretch the carpet and attach it securely over the tack strips. Trim excess material at the edges.
By investing time to learn the process and putting your skills to the test, you’ll not only feel a sense of accomplishment but also keep more money in your pocket. Remember, practice makes perfect, and there are plenty of resources available to guide you through each step of the installation process.
Depending on the installers, paying for installation may be worth it:
Always ask questions before dealing with a carpet provider, because they don’t all offer the same services. One may have the lowest price, but they ask you to thoroughly empty the room before they arrive. Another may charge more, but they move and replace furniture.
Selecting a fabric for your 10×12 space
As said, carpet installation costs vary greatly according to carpet cost considerations. Carpet fabric, construction, and pile height are examples.
Rugs
Carpet fibre is its material. Every fibre has pros and cons, including durability and cost.
Nylon ($2.69–$8.49/sqft)
Nylon is the most used synthetic carpet material due to its durability and adaptability. Nylon fibres have practically any texture, colour, pile, or pattern. It’s soft, washable, and durable. But it stains. If the room requires it, pick a stain-resistant kind.
Polyester ($.65–$6.59/sq ft)
Polyester, another synthetic carpet, costs less than $1 per square foot. It resists stains and fades. Polyester is weaker than nylon, and brighter colours may fade under direct sunlight.
Olefin or polypropylene ($.65–$8.56/sq ft
Olefin’s colour is built into the fibre, so it doesn’t fade like dyed fabrics. Olefin is less durable than nylon or polyester, therefore utilize it in low-traffic areas.
Wool ($3.59–$12.04/sqft)
Wool is the natural fabric carpet of choice. It is hypoallergenic, flame-resistant, stain-resistant, and soft. Wool is expensive because of its natural, long-lasting qualities.
Triexta ($2.70-$6.59/sf)
Triexta, the newest synthetic carpet fabric, is competing with nylon. Hydrophobic and softer than nylon, its fibre resists stains and moisture damage. Triexta also contains 37% corn, a renewable resource. Triexta’s durability is still unknown.
Carpet fibre prices
Let’s see how numerous online cost estimators compute the cost of carpeting a 10×12 room in these carpet fibres and a few more flooring options.
When looking to carpet a 10×12 room on a budget, choosing a medium pile Berber nylon carpet could be your most economical option. Known for its durability and stylish appearance, Berber nylon combines quality with cost-effectiveness.
Why Berber Nylon for Budget Carpeting?
- Affordable Pricing: Berber nylon offers excellent value without compromising on durability.
- Great for DIY Projects: Save even more by installing the carpet yourself, avoiding professional installation fees.
- Durability: Perfect for high traffic areas, ensuring your investment lasts.
To maximize savings, consider shopping during sales periods or visiting wholesale retailers for further discounts.
Carpet style (construction)
Compare carpet varieties by pile and style (or construction). Pile is the carpet’s height, whereas style is its weave. Pile height is low, medium, or high.
Low-pile carpet
Like commercial office carpets, this pile contains short, flat threads. The short pile makes it easy to clean and tolerate considerable usage without displaying wear. Its low pile makes it excellent for high-traffic areas. The minimal fiber length reduces dust and dirt accumulation, translating to lower maintenance efforts and costs.
Medium-pile carpet
This carpet balances comfort and durability. Medium pile is durable and comfy for bedrooms and living spaces. Its short pile makes it easy to clean. However, it does catch more dust and debris than low pile carpeting, indicating moderate maintenance needs. Its versatility makes it suitable for various settings, providing comfort without significant upkeep.
High-pile carpet
High-pile carpeting is the ultimate in velvety comfort. It’s ideal for soundproofing. High-pile carpet is like walking on air, but it costs more. That huge pile attracts dust, debris, and pet hair, requiring frequent cleaning. It’s also more likely to be crushed underfoot, making foot traffic more visible than lower piles. The luxurious feel comes with increased maintenance demands, making it best suited for areas where comfort is prioritized over practicality, like dens or lofts.
Style/construction
Berber/loop, Frieze/shag, pattern, plush, and textured carpets are the most frequent. Lowe’s carpet guide describes each style well.
Construction will likely affect price:
- Berber or loop carpet ($1.67 to $2.44/sqft)
- Frieze or shag ($2.78–$5)
- Pattern or cut-and-loop ($2.78–$5 per square foot)
- Plush ($1.67–$2.67)
- Textured ($1.67–$2.67)
- Estimating a 10×12 carpeting job
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the quantity of options that could affect your carpet budget. Let’s use nylon’s price average to estimate the cost of carpeting a 10×12 room.
Let’s assume you chose a medium-pile, Berber structure, nylon fibre carpet, mid-thick padding, and $1.50 per square foot installation.
Lightbourne carpet: Color Dove Loop: $3.69/sf
TrafficMaster premium carpet cushion: $.83/sq ft
Installation: $1.50/sqft
Carpet one room at a time?
Now that you know how much it costs to carpet a 10×12 office, den, or guest room, consider how replacing the carpet in just one room could affect the value of your property.
If you have multiple secondary bedrooms, placing new flooring in one may look uneven. Four carpets per bedroom will turn off buyers. A consistent carpet colour and style throughout the house is preferred over a mishmash. In a three-bedroom house, the secondary bedrooms must have the same carpet.
If the carpet in the primary bedroom suite is more luxurious than the secondary bedrooms, you can use it. However, the primary bedroom suite carpet should be in the same colour family as the other bedrooms and have a comparable pattern (if there is one) to hide the variances.
If one room is a guest bedroom and the other has office built-ins, you can use different flooring in each room.
Select carpets carefully.
Carpet selection goes beyond choosing a colour at the flooring store. Consider fibre durability, construction and pile appearance, and how installation prices and services will affect your makeover budget.
While you may have started with a single room remodel project, replacing the carpet throughout the house may be a better option than in a 10×12 room.
