Hidden Costs in Carpet Installation

Installing carpeting throughout your home is one of the wisest decisions that you could make as a homeowner. Carpet offers a superior look and a fantastic feel underfoot that you’ll be sure to love for months, years and decades to come. While many homeowners are familiar with the material costs of carpet flooring, few are aware of some of the hidden costs that can come with a carpet installation, sometimes leading to a nasty sticker shock when the bill comes due.

Before you begin your carpet installation, you should examine this hidden costs to make sure you’re prepared for the expense of your project. Learn about the hidden costs of carpet installation that you should be aware of before you commit to this home improvement project.

Preparing the Flooring in Your Home

The biggest hidden expense that a homeowner will face over the course of their carpeting project is preparing their existing flooring for a new carpet installation. Virtually every single flooring will have to go through some sort of prep work, making it important that you examine these costs before your project begins.

For starters, the furniture in any area you want carpeting will need to be removed, which can cost between $23 and $53 for every two pieces. After that is done, your old carpeting will need to be removed, along with the carpet padding. Both tasks cost between $0.04 and $1.03 per square foot. Finally, some home will need the subflooring in their home leveled before an installation can begin, which can cost $80 to $150 per hour.

Costs Behind the Scenes

Another factor that many homeowners are not prepared for during the cost of their carpet installation is the costs that come after their flooring is actually installed. For example, as with any flooring project, there will often be material waste left behind once your project is completed that your contractor will have to removal. Waste removal can cost between $0.25 and $0.50 per square foot.

In addition, carpet installation usually requires specialized tools to install effectively. While your contractor will often supply these tools and materials, they will usually charge a few that can cost between $1.00 and $1.75 per square foot.

Installing Carpet on Difficult Areas

Not every carpet installation is the same, and some homeowners choose to install carpeting in their home on more difficult areas, which can tremendously add to your overall installation costs. A perfect example of this is installing carpeting on stairs, which usually costs between $100 and $200 dollars per step. Another example of this would be installing carpets on designed floors, which has a huge price range of $3.00 to $150 per square foot.

Also, depending on your carpet installation project, you may be required to be pay for new moldings at a cost of $5.00 to $10.00 per square feet.

Be Prepared for the Costs of Carpet Installation

When you’re prepared for the total costs of carpet installation, especially the hidden costs, you’ll be fully prepared for your project and will be able to make it as easy and rewarding as possible. While carpet installation costs can add up as your carpet project grows, there is almost no better way to give your home’s flooring a fantastic look that visitors to your home will be sure to appreciate.