The Real Cost of Carpet Installation

There are few things more satisfying during a renovation than a freshly laid carpet. After all the preparation work – measuring, ordering and delivery – it’s great to see your project finally taking place.

Carpet installation costs in Australia come down to a few factors, such your carpet’s size, the room’s complexity, preparation required, underlay and your chosen service provider. We’ll take you through a quick guide on all these topics so that you can get the best bang for your buck.

How much is a carpet installation?

When calculating carpet installation cost, it really boils down to square meterage. Carpet installation costs in Australia can range from $25 to $100 per square metre, with cheaper materials on the lower end and luxurious options such as blend carpets costing closer to $100. 

Premium carpet materials such as wool are also on the pricier side, averaging around $60 per square metre. This is because your carpet installer will need to take extra care when handling and installing wool carpets.

On average, Australians spend between $50 and $70 per square metre to get their carpet installed.

Of course, there are other considerations that can affect the carpet installation prices such as:

• prep-work (removing old flooring, furniture, etc.),
• the room’s complexity (stairs, tricky corners, etc.),
• underlay, and the chosen provider.

Carpet laying hourly rates in different cities

Although professional carpet installers charge by square metre, most take a similar amount of time to install a standard-sized carpet. Here are the average hourly rates you can expect to pay for in different Australian cities:

• Sydney: – $35 per hour
• Perth – $27.5
• Adelaide – $25.49
• Melbourne – $20 per hour
• Brisbane – $25 per hour

Carpet installation costs for different materials

We’ve already mentioned that wool carpets tend to be more expensive than synthetic varieties. This is because wool is a natural fibre and needs to be treated with extra care during installation. But what about other carpet materials?

Below is a list of different carpet materials and their overall carpet installation cost per square metre:

Polyester

Polyester carpets is a synthetic fabric and one of the most budget-friendly options today. As this material doesn’t soak stains, it’s a good choice for families with pets or small children. Polyester is also very durable – perfect for high-traffic areas in your home.

Carpet cost : $25 – $35 per square metre

Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic fibre that’s renowned for its enhanced durability. As such, it’s commonly installed in high-traffic areas like your staircase, living room or hallway. It also maintains its shape well, meaning it can keep its original shape longer.

Carpet cost: $40-$50 per square metre

Wool

Wool is a luxurious material that’s perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. As it’s a natural fibre, wool is also environmentally friendly. However, it’s important to note that wool is also one of the most expensive materials on the market.

Carpet cost: $50-$60 per square metre

Blends 

If you’re looking for a durable option that offers a similar kind of luxury as wool, then a wool blend might be the perfect solution. As the name suggests, these carpets are made from a mix of different fibres – usually wool and synthetic. Opt for a 80/20 wool to synthetic ratio for the best results.

Carpet cost: $30-$100 per square metre

Foam Underlay 

• Add extra for foam underlay: $17 to $20 per m²
• Add extra for rubber underlay: $24 to $26 per m²

Alpaca wool carpet

For a truly luxurious experience, you might want to consider an Alpaca wool carpet. This material originates from llamas and is a more prestigious alternative to regular wool. Of course, this means that it comes with a heftier price tag.

Carpet cost: Up to $275 per square metre

Foam underlay

Bare floors require some kind of insulation to make them more comfortable. Foam underlay is the most recommended option for carpets as it provides a soft cushioning effect. It’s also relatively inexpensive, making it a great choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

Average cost: $17-$20 per square metre

Rubber underlay

Rubber underlay is a fantastic insulator of sound and heat, making it ideal for use in bedrooms. It also increases your carpet’s lifespan.

Average cost: $24 to $26 per square metre

The cost of installing a premium commercial-grade modular carpet

Commercial premises generally have high-traffic areas that require tougher, more stern carpets. This is why many businesses opt for a modular carpet, which is designed to resist shredding, tearing and pulling that can occur in busy environments.

Commercial-grade modular carpets are generally sold in 10 square metre rolls or 15 square metre carpet tiles. Australians can expect to pay $70 per role and an extra $65 to $85 for installation per square metre. This means that the total cost to buy and install a single carpet roll can range from $720 to $920.

Factors that Affect Carpet Installation Price

Creating an accurate estimate for installing carpet can be done by identifying the following variables which will affect your individual project. Here’s a list of the main cost factors:

Carpet material – As mentioned, premium materials like wool will have to be handled with extra care, resulting in more time to conduct the installation. This may be accounted for in your quote as a ‘premium’ or ‘luxury’ surcharge.

Room size and complexity – Larger rooms with awkward corners and stairs will take longer to install and will therefore cost more. When a room has more corners, an installer will have to make more cuts, which takes time.

If your room has stairs, your installer will need to use a specialised method (called the waterfall method) to ensure a neat finish. This too will add to the installation time – and cost.

Prep-work – This involves cleaning and flattening your subfloor, which will ensure an even carpet installation. Underlay removal and furniture removal are two other potential prep-work tasks which could be required – and charged for – as part of the installation process.

Carpet removal and disposal – Many carpet installation companies offer carpet removal as a standalone or bundled service. Carpets need to be safely removed and disposed of, which takes time (and therefore money).

Additional costs – These might include GST, travel charges and call-out fees. These additional costs are typically included in the final quote provided by your chosen installer. Just ensure this is included in writing before you proceed with any job.

Discounts – Some companies offer discounts if you require multiple rooms to be carpeted. This is because they can ‘bulk install’ – meaning the job can be done in one go, rather than returning to your home multiple times.

Supplier – Different suppliers offer different rates for installation and the material itself. It’s important to shop around before making your final decision.

How much are different carpet styles 

Besides carpet materials, there are many different carpet styles that affect installation price. Here are the three main types of carpet:

Loop pile carpet

This type of carpet is made up of pieces of yarn that form loops. The yarn used can be nylon, wool or a blend and known for their sleek finish.

Cut pile carpet

This type of carpet is made up of individual strands of yarn that have been cut. The result is a plush and luxurious feel underfoot. Textured carpet is a popular variation of this style.

Combination pile carpet

This type of carpet is a mix of both loop and cut pile carpets. It’s a popular choice for high traffic areas as it’s durable and can hide dirt and stains well. This option is generally the most expensive out of the three styles since you’re getting the benefits of both materials.

How much does a carpet installation cost for a whole house?

Now that we’ve established that the average carpet installation cost is $50-$70 per square metre, let’s look at some real-world examples.

From 2019-2020, newly-built homes were averaging 235.8 square metres in size. This would give you an installation cost of $11,790 – $16,506 for the entire house. This includes the staircase, carpet removal and other variables unique to your property.

How much does it cost to carpet different rooms?

Your average-sized bedroom measures 14 square metres. At $50-$70 per m2, this would give you a total cost of $700 – $980 for the entire room. A living room, meanwhile, averages at 25 square metres. This would give you a total cost of $1,250 – $1,750.

Take these figures as a guide only, as the final cost will be determined by your project’s variables.

How to find a reputable carpet installer

While carpet installers generally charge a certain price based on their location, that doesn’t account for the craftsmanship quality. A bad installation job can leave you with lumps, bumps and incorrect measurements that will ruin the look and feel of flooring.

Another aspect to consider during carpet installation is the disposal of old carpets and materials. Proper waste management is crucial to ensure an eco-friendly renovation. For larger projects or if you’re replacing carpets in multiple rooms, it might be wise to hire a skip bin to handle the waste efficiently.

Below are a few tips for finding a reputable installer in your area:

Get quotes from multiple companies – This will give you an idea of the average price in your area. Don’t overpay or underpay for the work to be done.

Read reviews – Use Google and other online platforms to check customer reviews. This is a valuable way to see if past clients have been happy with the service they received.

Get referred – Talk to friends, family and neighbours who have had recent experience with carpet installation. These trusted sources are your best bet for finding a quality installer.

Ask for proof of insurance – Even the most experienced carpet installers can make mistakes. Ask to see proof of insurance in case any accidents or damage occurs during the job.

Check for work warranty – Most reputable installers will offer a workmanship warranty when they install carpet in a home.

Get everything in writing – Before any work begins, make sure you have a detailed contract that outlines the cost, timeline, extra charges and other pertinent information. This will prevent payment disputes once the work is done.

Steps to create your own price estimate

Before you buy carpets, you should create an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to install them in your home:

1. First, measure the room or rooms you want to carpet. Use a standard measuring tool like a tape measure, and be sure to include closets and other spaces in your calculations.

2. Once you know how many square metres are required, decide which carpet style you want. The three main types are loop pile, cut pile and combination pile. The average cost per square metre will differ depending on the style you choose.

3. Afterward, it’s time to account for the extras. These include carpet removal, furniture moving, and the installation itself. You should also factor in underlayment cost, which is a material placed between the carpet and the floor to provide padding and support.

After calculating all project carpet installation costs, you’ll be able to create a realistic budget. This gives you a solid starting point for price comparisons when you’re ready to start shopping for a new carpet.

Get high-quality carpet installation with Sidepost

At Sidepost, we offer high-quality carpet installation services at competitive prices. We understand that a new carpet is a significant investment, which is why we go the extra mile to get it done as efficiently as possible. Contact us on 1300 138 499 or book online today! Meanwhile, you may also check out our carpet removal service.