Short answer: the cost of a new carpet comes down to four things: the carpet itself, the underlay, the fitting and the size and shape of your rooms. Polypropylene sits at the budget end, polyester in the middle and wool and woven carpets at the top. The only way to get an accurate figure is a proper measure and a quote.
Carpet prices vary hugely, and online prices rarely tell the whole story. Here is what actually goes into the cost of a new carpet, so you know what you are paying for before you start shopping.
1. The carpet
| Fibre or type | Where it sits on cost |
|---|---|
| Polypropylene | Budget |
| Polyester | Budget to mid |
| Wool and wool rich | Mid to high |
| Woven (Axminster or Wilton) | Premium |
Within each fibre, a denser, heavier pile costs more and wears better. That is why it can be worth spending more on the stairs and hall and less on a spare bedroom.
2. Underlay
Underlay is a smaller part of the cost, but it is tempting to save here. Good underlay makes a carpet feel better, keeps it warmer and quieter, and helps it last longer.
3. Fitting and extras
Gripper rods and door bars, trimming doors, moving furniture and taking away old carpet can all add to the price depending on who you use. Which? recommends checking whether your quote includes door trimming, furniture moving and uplift. At RedRose your quote spells all of this out.
4. Stairs
Stairs take more carpet and more fitting time than a flat room of the same size. Winders, a landing and a Hollywood fit all add to the cost. Our guide to the best carpet for stairs explains the options.
Carpeting a whole house
When you carpet several rooms at once, a good way to balance cost and wear is to choose a hard wearing twist or wool rich carpet for the stairs and landing and a softer, more affordable carpet for spare rooms. See how long each type is likely to last in our guide to how long carpet lasts, and browse our carpets.
Why room shape matters
Carpet usually comes in 4 or 5 metre wide rolls. An awkward shaped room, a bay window or a hall that runs into stairs can mean extra carpet is needed to avoid seams in the wrong place. This is why a proper measure is the only way to get an accurate price.
Getting an accurate quote
Choose your carpet in the showroom, then we will measure every room for free, plan the layout to keep waste down, and give you a fixed quote that includes carpet, underlay, fitting and uplift if you want it. Plan your visit.