New carpet -- how much $$$$

[psilverman]

I know I know, it depends on where you live, the type of carpet, etc. But, help me to even start to ballpark it. I'd probably do a mid- to high-level non-wool carpet. I have 3 bedrooms (two are huge), a hallway and foyer, steps, landing, and a medium sized living room.... I have no idea the square footage, but its a lot.

...which leads me to the next question -- is there anyway to "break this up" so it is not the same carpet the whole way through, or will that just look cheap and piecemeal. Currently, this is all the same carpet and it all is continuous. If I think of my parents... they do have rooms that are carpeted and adjacent in different carpets... and it looks ok, but I guess since mine is all the same now (think, new construction beige) I can't picture doing the kids rooms different from the guest/office different from the hallway/stairs different from the living room.

[val36]

well just to give you a starting point to ballpark...

We recarpeted our condo before we sold it. Didn't go with the cheapest stuff, but not the best either-- probably a step or 2 below what you will get.

3 flights of stairs (21 steps), 2 landings, living room, small dining room, and 2 decent size bedrooms. It was about $4500.

As far as breaking it up, I think it probably looks best if it's all the same, but maybe the carpet people will have some sugggestions for you.

Valerie

[SueNJ]

We just moved into a new house this summer and had to rip out and replace all of the carpeting. Previous owners had disgusting carpeting which was filthy and full of pet stains. We did four bedrooms, small office, hallway, stairs and family room, totalling a little over 1500 square feet.

When looking for carpet, we were actually shell shocked to find out how much it cost. We looked around quite a bit and believe it or not, the best price was from Costco. We got a high grade Stainmaster berber carpet (w/ top grade padding included -- very important!!) with installation included for $7,000. Still a ton of money, but it was so worth it to go with a better grade carpeting. I believe the carpet was about $4.50 sq ft, which was very reasonable when we looked around at other places and the Costco pricing included the high grade padding, rip out of existing carpeting and installation.

Be careful of places like Home Depot and Lowes that advertise very low prices for the carpeting -- it doesn't include padding, rip out or installation. That adds up very quickly.

Good luck!
Sue

[fatcat]

I have no idea on cost, but you could probably break it up between rooms by finding a line of carpet with coordinating colors and patterns. Maybe the same color but with a texture in the bedrooms but plain shag in the hall way - or something like that.

[LauraG1]

FYI...we're using Lowes' today for our installation, and have used them many times before. They beat the best price I found anywhere else in town (although I don't have a Costco!).
They're advertised "$39" whole house installation does not include all those things, but price the whole job and see what the cost is. For us, it's the best deal in town on the same brand name carpets. Also, I worked with the same salesperson for a long time. She asked if I had any "coupons" and I didn't, and she gave me an extra %10 off. Really adds up.
Don't count them out!
Laura
ps: also their installers are the same ones they've had for 15 years.

[SueNJ]

I agree Lowe's is also a good choice. Their price didn't compare as well to Costco but wasn't out of the ballpark as compared to local carpet places. Home Depot also had a ton of add on costs so while their "advertised" prices seem fantastic, the true costs were astronomical.

[Kim of VA]

We just carpeted our family room

It's 20 by 20 feet - $1700. It's nice carpeting with best padding, feels and looks great.

Be sure to compare a few places - total job price. Consider hardwood, even though it costs more. I've replaced carpeting so many times, that in the end, I think the hardwood is cheaper (and better for resale).

[psilverman]

Thanks...

I am thinking of hardwood in the living room part... it is really one huge room (dining and living) divided in two by hardwood (dining and some additonal) and carpet (living). If I could continue the hardwood, I would, but not sure about "matching"... I'd probably have to do some transitional inlay type design even if I got the same wood, I doubt it would match enough. So... it may be carpet. The upstairs will be carpet, can't afford hardwood and I think in cold Pittsburgh people want carpet underfoot when they get out of bed.

[psilverman]

Costco's doesn't install in PA

We looked around quite a bit and believe it or not, the best price was from Costco. We got a high grade Stainmaster berber carpet (w/ top grade padding included -- very important!!) with installation included for $7,000.

I was impressed with what you wrote so went to their website... the small print lists about 5 states that they don't install in... they will refer you to a subcontractor... but there is something to be said for accountability and ease of using one vendor for all. I will look at Lowes/Home Depot and also some local places that have a good reputation for price and quality and installation. I don't WANT to do it, I have to. THe prior owners had a dog who must have marked certain places upstairs... because my dog keeps going back and I've tried EVERYTHING to clean and neutralize... and then in my living room, the same darn dog got his mouth on a bottle of Delsym... bright PURPLE Delsym, and cracked it open on my living room carpet. We have it down to light pink... but, there is no pretending it isn't there.

[Jmeck23]

We had a smallish family room done before we sold our house (I think 14X14) and it cost around $1100. Lowes ended up being our best price and I shopped around alot.

[val36]

Not that anyone has mentioned it..

but I don't recommend Smart Carpet. Very high pressure sales-- one of those deals where if you don't sign the papers right now, they can't guarantee you'll ever get such a great deal again. RED FLAG

I got sucked in, but was able to cancel it that night. And found a much better deal at a local carpet store.

Valerie

[bluerose]

Lowes has a special whole house is 39.

but there you have to pay like 40. for them to come measure. Nonrefundable.

[KathyNJ]

What about....

Could you put hardwood on the stairs and in the hallway and carpet the bedrooms to keep the toes warm in the morning? That is what we did when we built our house. That way each bedroom can have its own color/type of carpet and you have some variety.

Good luck whatever you choose.
Kathy

[psilverman]

Don't think I can afford it... but it would be nice.

It is just overwhelming...and I just prepaid for a march vacation, so it may be a while longer.