Carpet installation cost usually lands between $2 and $9 per square foot installed, with the carpet itself setting most of that number and labor adding roughly $0.50 to $1.50 of it. For a 12 by 12 bedroom, that works out to about $290 to $1,300 before furniture moving and old carpet removal. Below, you’ll find the price by room, what each carpet type does to the total, what the extras cost, and what California requires of whoever lays the floor. Use the ranges to check a quote before you sign it.
Key Takeaways
- Installed carpet runs about $2 to $9 per square foot, and labor is only $0.50 to $1.50 of that.
- A 12 by 12 bedroom runs about $290 to $1,300, and a 1,000 square foot floor runs $2,000 to $9,000.
- Wool and sisal start around $3 per square foot for the material alone, so fiber choice moves the total more than any other line.
- Padding, furniture moving, and old carpet removal are often separate lines, so ask what a quote leaves out.
- In California, a contractor bidding more than $1,000 on a job must hold a license, so check it before you sign.
On This Page
- How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost per Square Foot?
- Carpet Installation Cost by Room
- What Else Changes Your Carpet Replacement Cost?
- Who Can Install Your Carpet in California?
- Carpet Installation Cost FAQs
- Next Steps for Your Carpet Project
How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost per Square Foot?
Most quotes for new carpet land between $2 and $9 per square foot installed, according to HGTV’s cost guide. That figure covers the carpet and the labor to put it down. The labor share is small, since professional installation adds $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. The carpet you pick decides most of the bill.
National calculators sit higher in the middle of the market. Homewyse put the national average to install carpet at $5.27 to $7.72 per square foot in May 2026, so use it as a check on the middle of the range rather than a floor.
The table below shows material cost only, with a 12 by 12 bedroom (144 square feet) as the example. Labor adds $72 to $216 on top for that room.
| Carpet Type | Material Cost per Sq Ft | Material for a 144 Sq Ft Bedroom |
|---|---|---|
| Budget synthetic (olefin, acrylic) | Under $1 | Under about $144 |
| Synthetic range (nylon, polyester, olefin, triexta) | $0.50 to $9 | $72 to $1,296 |
| Good-quality synthetic | $1.50 and up | $216 and up |
| Natural fiber (sisal, wool) | $3 to $21 | $432 to $3,024 |
Wool sits at the top of that last range, and it earns the price with deep color and long wear. Budget olefin from online discount suppliers can come in under $1 per square foot, so ask for a sample before you order and compare the stain and wear warranties. Reputable manufacturers offer 10 to 25 years on both.
If you’re still deciding between carpet, hardwood, laminate, or tile, our flooring installation and repair page covers the floor types we handle across San Jose and nearby cities.
Carpet Installation Cost by Room
To work out the cost to carpet a room, multiply its square footage by the $2 to $9 installed range. The table below does that for common room sizes. Your own measurements will differ, so treat the sizes as examples.
| Room | Typical Size | Square Feet | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom or office | 10 x 10 ft | 100 | $200 to $900 |
| Standard bedroom | 12 x 12 ft | 144 | $288 to $1,296 |
| Primary bedroom | 14 x 16 ft | 224 | $448 to $2,016 |
| Living room | 15 x 20 ft | 300 | $600 to $2,700 |
| Large family room | 16 x 20 ft | 320 | $640 to $2,880 |
| Whole floor | Varies | 1,000 | $2,000 to $9,000 |
HGTV runs the same math for a 16 by 20 foot room and gets $640 to $2,880. Once prep is done, a pro installer can usually finish an average room in 4 to 8 hours, so most single rooms fit inside one day.
If the room is getting a refresh, finish any painting and drywall patching before the carpet goes down, so nothing drips or scuffs the new floor. Bedroom and living room updates like that fall under our remodeling and finishing services.
What Else Changes Your Carpet Replacement Cost?
Carpet replacement cost is more than the carpet and the labor. Padding, moving furniture, and hauling out the old carpet are often their own lines, and two quotes for the same room can differ by a few hundred dollars just because one includes them and the other doesn’t.
| Cost Item | Typical Cost | What to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Installation labor | $0.50 to $1.50 per sq ft | Is it per square foot or a flat room price? |
| Padding, if not included | $80 to $960 for a 320 sq ft room | What pad type and thickness is quoted? |
| Moving furniture | $25 to $75 per room | Who moves it, and is it priced per room? |
| Removing old carpet | Up to $1.60 per sq ft | Does it include hauling and disposal? |
At the top of that removal range, a 12 by 12 bedroom adds about $230. Padding works out to roughly $0.25 to $3 per square foot, depending on type and quality, and it also cuts noise between rooms.
The subfloor matters as much as the carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute’s residential installation standard, CRI 105, was updated in 2015 to address planning and subfloor preparation. Ask whether the quote includes checking the subfloor, and what happens to the price if it needs work.
Small problems tend to show up once the old carpet is out, like a door that rubs or a nick in the wall. Door repair, drywall patching, and similar jobs fall under general household fixes and repairs, and it’s easier to handle them before the new carpet goes down.
Who Can Install Your Carpet in California?
California draws its line at $1,000. Under Assembly Bill 2622, effective January 1, 2025, an unlicensed person can take a project up to $1,000, labor and materials included, only if they don’t hire workers and no building permits are needed. Above that, the person bidding the work needs a contractor’s license. Many whole-room carpet jobs cross that line.
The state licensing board also cautions that a down payment shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of the contract price. Ask any installer for their license number and look it up on the CSLB website before you sign anything.
Carpet Installation Cost FAQs
How Much Does Carpet Installation Cost?
Carpet installation costs about $2 to $9 per square foot installed, including the carpet and labor. A 12 by 12 bedroom runs roughly $290 to $1,300, and a 1,000 square foot floor runs $2,000 to $9,000. Padding, furniture moving, and removing old carpet can add to those totals.
How Much Does Installation Alone Cost per Square Foot?
Professional labor adds $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot on top of the carpet. For a 144 square foot bedroom, that’s $72 to $216. The carpet and padding set the rest of the bill, so a cheaper installer saves far less than a cheaper carpet does.
What Is the Cost to Carpet a Room?
To find the cost to carpet a room, multiply its square footage by $2 to $9. A 10 by 10 room comes to $200 to $900, and a 16 by 20 room comes to $640 to $2,880. Add padding, furniture moving, and removal if the quote leaves them out.
What Does Carpet Replacement Cost Beyond the Carpet?
Carpet replacement cost includes new carpet, installation, padding, furniture moving, and removal of the old carpet. Moving furniture runs $25 to $75 per room, removal runs up to $1.60 per square foot, and padding adds $80 to $960 for a 320 square foot room when it isn’t included.
Does Carpet Type Change the Installation Price?
Yes, mostly through the material price. Synthetic carpet runs $0.50 to $9 per square foot, while wool and sisal run $3 to $21. Labor is generally quoted at $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, so the fiber you choose drives most of the gap between two quotes.
Do I Need a Licensed Contractor to Install Carpet in California?
Often, yes. California lets an unlicensed person take a project only up to $1,000, labor and materials included, and only if they hire no workers and need no permits. Above that, the contractor must be licensed. Ask for the license number and look it up with the CSLB before you sign.
Next Steps for Your Carpet Project
Carpet installation cost comes down to square footage, fiber, and the extras around the install. Multiply your room by the per square foot range, add padding, moving, and removal, and you’ll know whether a quote is in line.
If you’d like a second set of eyes on a quote or a room, schedule a visit with Proper Hour Home Service. We’re a licensed contractor, CSLB #1131330, working across San Jose and the surrounding Bay Area.
