Carpet Fitting Cost

How Much Does Carpet Fitting Cost?

For a standard-sized room, the cost of carpet fitting can be anywhere between £250 and £2,500, with the average price for carpeting a room being around £400, which includes both materials and installation.

Carpet fitting costs can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including the size of the room and the type of carpet that you want to lay.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know - including the average cost of carpet per square metre in the UK, the cost of laying carpet for different-sized rooms, what affects these costs, and how to keep carpet laying costs down!

Calculate the Cost of Laying a Carpet

Looking for a quick estimate on carpet fitting prices?

Try our carpet fitting cost calculator or stair carpet cost calculator to get an estimated figure.

All you need to do is enter a few details about the area you want to carpet.

These calculators give you a useful starting point, but the best way to get an accurate price is to request quotes from local carpet fitters.

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How Much Does It Cost to Carpet a Room?

The size of your room and the type of carpet you choose will be the two main factors that affect how much it costs to fit a new carpet.

As well as the price of your carpet, new underlay, gripper rods, and thresholds will be additional costs (more details later), but we've outlined the average total carpet fitting cost (including all materials and fitting) by room below.

The prices below are all based on laying a standard quality carpet, which you should expect to cost around £22 per m² supplied and fitted, but if you're on a budget, or fancy splashing out on a bit of luxury, the table below shows you how these different options might affect your carpet fitting costs by room.

Example Carpet Costs for Common Room Sizes and Homes

To help give a better idea of typical carpet fitting prices for your room or house, here are some common examples based on standard quality carpet supplied and fitted at around £36 per m².

Whole-property examples assume standard carpet in main living areas and bedrooms, excluding kitchens and bathrooms.

How Much to Carpet Stairs & Landing?

Stairs and landings are high-traffic areas in your house, so you want to choose a durable carpet that feels firm underfoot.

Because of the complexity of fitting carpet on stairs and landings, you'll typically need more than the actual square metreage to account for the necessary wastage.

The average price to carpet stairs and landing in the UK is around £360, assuming 10m² of standard quality carpet is needed.

How Much to Carpet a Hall?

Hallways also see a lot of traffic, so you will also want to consider something durable, and most people will choose the same carpet to match their stairs and landing.

A typical hallway will be around 6m², so the cost for laying a standard quality carpet will be around £220.

How Much to Carpet a Bedroom?

For bedrooms, most people opt for a softer, more comfortable carpet that feels nice to walk on with bare feet.

It can be worth paying a bit more for this comfort, but with the typical bedroom around 12m², fitting a standard quality carpet would cost around £430.

How Much to Carpet a Lounge/Living Room?

The average living room is usually the biggest room in the house, and with so much time spent here, it's worth investing in a better-quality carpet.

A standard option will work just as well, and with a typical living room of around 20m², your carpet laying costs would be about £720.

How Much to Carpet a Nursery?

Most people would choose a nursery carpet that's soft and comfortable, but easy to clean and maintain, so it could be worth spending a bit more for that balance of comfort and practicality.

With their usually small size of around 9m², fitting a standard carpet for your nursery should cost around £320.

How Much to Carpet a Home Office?

If you have a dedicated home office, rather than just a spare bedroom, you might want to opt for a carpet that can handle more foot traffic and the wear from office chairs.

With a typical size of around 8m², a standard carpet for your workspace should cost around £290.

Carpet Fitting Costs per M²

As well as the different colours and styles of carpet, there are different types of carpet, using a variety of materials. The carpet you choose to have fitted can have a big impact on how much your new carpet costs.

Below, we break down the different costs per square metre of having some of the most popular carpet types and materials fitted in the UK in 2026.

Carpet Fitting Costs per M² by Type

Carpet Fitting Costs per M² by Material

How Much Do Carpet Fitters Charge?

How much a carpet fitter will charge depends on the size of the room, as well as the complexity of the layout. For a simple rectangular room, you can expect to pay £60 to £80, depending on the size.

The job will usually take 2 to 4 hours. If the room has a lot of alcoves or is an unusual shape, then the cost and the time will go up. Likewise, this may leave you with various offcuts of underlay and excess carpet. Unless you've made any prior arrangements, a fee of around £20 to £30 may apply to dispose of any waste.

If you need the old carpet taken up and disposed of, then expect an additional £1 to £3 per m².

What about carpeting staircases?

Staircases are tricky and will take more time, which means they can cost more. The more turns in the staircase, the higher the cost will be.

You can expect to pay £75 to £120. Fitting carpet to a staircase will usually take around half a day.

How Much Do Carpet Fitters Cost By Region?

There are a variety of factors that will affect how much it costs to lay your new carpet, and one that can have a significant impact on how much your carpet fitter charges is your location in the UK.

As with most jobs, you're likely to pay more for labour, and possibly materials, if you live in London, compared to elsewhere in the UK.

But just how much could your location affect the cost of fitting your new carpet? We look at how much average carpet fitting prices vary by region below.

Within each region, prices can also vary between cities. For example, carpet fitting in London and Brighton is often at the higher end of the range, while cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and Glasgow are usually closer to the national average unless labour demand is particularly high.

Carpet fitting labour costs can rise during busy periods such as late summer and autumn, when many people book flooring work before winter or after home renovations. In larger cities, labour costs may also be higher where parking, access, or disposal are more difficult, while quieter periods and smaller towns can sometimes offer more competitive fitting rates.

Factors That Impact Carpet Laying Costs

There are a lot of factors that can affect the final cost of laying carpets. Some are unavoidable, while for others, the choices you make will affect the final price.

• Size and Shape of Area - Larger areas cost more to carpet, but any unconventional layouts may require unconventional cuts and mean more wastage, so you will need more carpet to make up for this.
• Material and Style of Carpet - Thicker piles and mixed cut-and-loop styles tend to cost more, with natural materials, including wool and sisal, having a higher price than synthetic materials.
• Width of the Roll - Carpet comes in 4m or 5m roll widths, and you pay for the full width, not just what you need. If your room is 4.1m wide and you don't want joins, the wastage could add 20% to 25% to the cost.
• Pattern Matching - If your carpet has a pattern, you'll probably need extra carpet to make sure the pattern matches properly along joins and edges, which can increase the cost and carpet needed by 10%-20%.
• Carpet Backing - While you might be more concerned with the topside of your carpet, the backing can affect its performance, and opting for more expensive felt or woven backings will increase the price.
• Carpet Underlay - The type of underlay you choose can have a big impact on how good your new carpet feels, and it can also affect how much it costs, which is worth looking at in more detail.

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Additional Carpet Fitting Costs

The figures quoted above are typical of what you can expect to pay for the supply and fitting of new carpet in your home. But there are some additional costs you might want to consider, which we look at in more detail below.

Gripper Rods & Thresholds

Typical cost - £10 to £15 for an average 12m² room

When fitting a new or replacement carpet, you will most likely also need to budget for gripper rods to secure the carpet at the edges, and thresholds (door bars) for the doorways between rooms.

Delivery Costs

Typical cost - £30

Don't assume your new carpet will be delivered for free, even if you're spending quite a bit or having everything supplied and fitted by the same company.

Rolls of carpet are heavy and bulky, and many suppliers will use 3rd party delivery companies, all of which may mean an additional delivery charge, so this is something you definitely want to check when you place your order.

Removal & Disposal of Old Carpet

Typical cost - £20

If you're having a room recarpeted, your fitter might include the lifting and disposal of your old carpet and underlay in their quote, but this might not always be the case.

With disposal fees at most trade waste and recycling facilities, not to mention the time taken to lift up the old carpet, remove broken gripper rods, etc., you should expect an additional cost if you're not prepared to remove your old carpet yourself. Carpet fitters will usually charge around £1 per m² to take it up and around another £2 to £3 per m² to take it away. Some fitters choose to charge a flat rate of around £20 to dispose of your old carpet.

If you're replacing old carpet with new carpet rather than changing the flooring type, the total carpet replacement cost usually includes lifting and disposing of the existing carpet, new underlay, gripper rods, and fitting. For an average bedroom, this typically costs £430 to £500, depending on the carpet chosen and whether any floor repairs are needed first.

Floor Repairs

Typical cost - £100 to £400+

There's no point spending hundreds or thousands of pounds on new carpet and underlay if the floor you're laying them on is substandard or damaged.

Getting broken or creaky floorboards fixed, repairing damaged chipboard panels, or dealing with any moisture issues, should all be sorted before your new carpet goes down.

Refitting Doors

Typical cost - £20 to £50 per door

If you've opted for a new deep and luxurious pile, or are carpeting a floor where there used to be laminate or vinyl, there's a good chance your doors will be too low for the new carpet.

Once your new carpet has been laid, you might need your doors refitting or shortening so they open and close properly. Most carpet fitters will include this in their quote, but it's always a good idea to check.

How Much Does Carpet Underlay Cost?

Underlay is an important part of your carpet, acting as a shock absorber as you walk. The higher the tog rating can also provide extra insulation to your property and prolong the overall lifespan of your carpet.

You might be tempted to save on the cost of carpet fitting by not replacing your existing underlay or choosing a cheap option. However, it should not be skimped on as it will impact the feel and the lifespan of the carpet.

If your underlay is past its best or you need new underlay, here's how the different types and quality of underlay could affect your carpet laying costs, and more information on the pros and cons of each type to help you decide which to fit.

Carpet Underlay Costs

PU Foam Underlay Cost

PU foam is a very popular choice for carpet underlay in the UK.

It gives a very soft feeling underfoot. It is made from recycled furniture foam, so it is an environmentally friendly choice. The average cost is £3 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Soft underfoot
• ✔ High insulating effect
• ✔ Environmentally friendly

Cons

• ✖ Flattens over time
• ✖ Susceptible to denting by heavy furniture

Crumb Rubber Underlay Cost

This underlay is made from recycled car tyres. It gives a firm feeling underfoot and is very supportive.

It can be a good choice for high-traffic areas like stairs. The average cost is £5 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Excellent soundproofing
• ✔ Resistant to denting by furniture
• ✔ Environmentally friendly

Cons

• ✖ Can feel hard underfoot

Sponge Rubber Underlay Cost

Sponge rubber can come in two forms — either waffle or flat. The waffle type has air pockets that will flatten out faster over time.

Waffle is better for low-traffic areas, while flat performs well in high-traffic areas. The average cost is £5 per m².

Pros

• ✔ Soft underfoot

Cons

• ✖ Flattens over time

Felt Underlay Cost

Felt underlay is a very traditional choice. It works best with woven carpets. It has a high wool content, so it is a good insulator. The average cost is £4 per m²

Pros

• ✔ High insulating effect
• ✔ Resistant to denting by furniture

Cons

• ✖ Feels firm underfoot

Combination Underlay Cost

Combination underlay has both layers of crumb rubber and felt. It combines the features of both types of underlay to create a good quality option.

The average cost is £5 per m².

Pros

• ✔ High insulating effect
• ✔ Excellent soundproofing
• ✔ Resistant to denting by furniture

Cons

• ✖ Feels firm underfoot

Carpet Costs per M² by Material (Supply Only)

Once you have chosen the type of carpet that you want, you then need to decide what material you want it to be made from. The average price of carpet per m² varies widely depending on the material:

Most materials can be used for most types of carpets.

Polypropylene Carpet Cost (Olefin)

This is one of the most common materials for carpets.

It's cheap to make and very durable. It is easy to clean and does not tend to produce static. The average cost per m² is £3 to £50.

Pros

• ✔ Low cost and maintenance
• ✔ A cheap option

Cons

• ✖ The pile flattens more quickly than other options

Polyester Carpet Cost (PET)

Polyester is a more environmentally friendly alternative to polypropylene, and it has a very similar feel. It resists staining well but can wear out in high-traffic areas.

The average cost per m² is around £30.

Pros

• ✔ Soft feel
• ✔ Stain-resistant

Cons

• ✖ Low durability

Wool Carpet Cost

Wool is a natural fibre. It does feel very soft and luxurious and is quite durable.

However, cleaning it requires specialist knowledge.

The average cost per m² is between £15 and £60.

Pros

• ✔ Soft and luxurious
• ✔ Strong

Cons

• ✖ Difficult to clean and maintain

Sisal Carpet Cost

Sisal is another natural material. It is very durable and hardwearing. It's an environmentally friendly option that will last a long time. It is made from the fibres of the sisal plant.

The average cost per m² is around £45.

Pros

• ✔ Very hard-wearing
• ✔ Natural material

Cons

• ✖ Rough feel underfoot
• ✖ Requires regular vacuuming

Nylon Carpet Cost (Polyamide)

This is a very popular choice.

Nylon is very long-lasting and easy to maintain. In terms of price, it is a mid-range option and offers good value for money.

The average cost per m² is around £30.

Pros

• ✔ Long-lasting
• ✔ Easy to clean

Cons

• ✖ Can produce more static when walked on

What's Involved in Getting a Carpet Fitted?

Here's what to expect when you get your carpets fitted by professionals:

Before the Job Starts

• Measuring the Area — Your fitter or carpet supplier will accurately measure the area to be carpeted, to calculate how much carpet you need.
• Preparing the Space — Any furniture is removed or pushed to one side of the room.
• Preparing the Subfloor — Any old carpet, underlay, and grippers are removed, and loose boards, nails, and any other issues are fixed so the floor is ready for carpeting.
• Carpet Delivery — If your fitter isn't also delivering your carpet, you'll need to make sure all the above is complete before your new carpet is delivered.

During the Job

• Fitting the Grippers — If needed, new gripper rods are fitted all around the room to hold the new carpet securely in place.
• Laying the Underlay — Any new underlay is cut to size and stapled or glued to the subfloor to create a smooth, cushioned base for the carpet.
• Positioning & Cutting the Carpet — The carpet is cut to size, with a small allowance at the edges for trimming.
• Creating Carpet Joins — If required, the fitter will join pieces of carpet to cover the entire floor, using tools to create a strong, virtually invisible join.
• Stretching the Carpet — The carpet is then stretched tightly across the room to prevent any sagging or bumps, and hooked onto the gripper rods to secure it in place.
• Trimming & Finishing — The edges are trimmed and tucked into the gap between the gripper rods and the skirting to give a professional finish.
• Doorway Finishing — The carpet is trimmed to fit under the door bars in the doorway, and any adjustment to the fitting or length of the door is carried out so it opens and closes properly.

After the Job

• Replacing Furniture — If you've asked your fitter to remove and replace your furniture, they'll return your room to how it was laid out before.
• Final Cleaning & Paperwork — The fitter will clean away all excess materials and waste, provide you with any relevant paperwork and guarantees, and then leave you to enjoy your newly carpeted room.

Carpet Alternatives

Carpet is the traditional choice for many rooms, but it is not the only option. There are several other options which can be more practical or aesthetically pleasing.

Let's take a look at how much these alternatives cost:

Checklist: Hiring a Carpet Fitter in the UK

When you are choosing a carpet fitter to lay your new carpet, here's a checklist of what you need to consider:

• Can your carpet supplier recommend a fitter? Most carpet retailers will be able to recommend a carpet fitter. However, you'll probably get a better carpet fitting quote if you find someone in your local area yourself.
• Are you getting the best price? Even if a fitter is recommended, you should get quotes from at least three fitters to make sure you get the best price and service possible.
• Are they an industry-approved carpet fitter? It is a good sign if your chosen fitter is approved or endorsed by a trustworthy organisation - for example, the National Institute of Carpet and Floor Layers (NICF).
• Are they insured? Carpet installers should have public liability insurance to cover injuries to themselves, or damage to your property during installation.
• What's their previous work like? Industry associations are a positive, but don't guarantee the quality of their work, so ask for references or check online for reviews of their most recent jobs.
• Is waste removal included in the quote? If you're recarpeting a room, there will be old carpet and possibly underlay and other materials to get rid of, so check if your fitter includes this in their price.
• What else is included? Check who will be responsible for removing and replacing the furniture, or adjusting the doors, if required, and what the additional costs of these jobs might be.
• How will they lay the carpet? Check that they will lay the carpet exactly how you want it, paying particular attention to where any joins will be.

MyJobQuote can help you find local carpet fitters (free, no obligation). Try to get at least 3 quotes from tradespeople, as how much a carpet fitter charges can vary significantly.

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