Blog>Cost Guides>How much does carpet replacement cost in 2025?
Last updated: 13 December 2024
How much does carpet replacement cost in 2025?
Upgrading your carpets can improve your home’s curb appeal, increase your insulation and even add value to your home. But how much does carpet replacement cost?
Carpets come with so many benefits – they retain heat better than other flooring types, absorb sound, can make a room feel warm and comfortable, and can even be safer for kids and pets.
With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that carpets are so popular with UK homeowners.
However, carpets will typically need to be replaced roughly every 5 to 15 years. So, if it’s time to replace yours, you’ll probably be wondering how much it’ll cost.
Here, we’ll reveal the typical carpet replacement cost and look at the different factors to help you budget.
How much does carpet replacement cost?
The average cost to replace carpet is £58 per m².
This includes the cost of removing your old carpet as well as fitting your new one.
| Cost provided item | Cost + VAT (Range low - high) | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet replacement cost (per m2) | £29.50 - £66.50 | £48 |
| Cost to remove old carpet | £10 | |
| Carpet fitting cost (per day) | £200 - £280 | £240 |
| Carpet replacement cost (one room) | £200 - £2,000 | £1,100 |
| Cost to replace carpet on stairs with wood (per m2) | £92.50 - £227.50 | £160 |
| Cost to replace carpet with hardwood - materials only (per m2) | £50 - £80 | £65 |
| Last updated: December 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
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How much does carpet replacement cost per square metre?
The cost to replace the carpet in your home can range from around £39.50 - £76.50 per m².
This includes the cost of supplying and fitting your replacement carpet – between £29.50 - £66.50 per m² – as well as the cost of removing your old carpet.
How much does carpet removal cost?
The cost to remove and dispose of old carpet is roughly £10 per m².
Usually, this will be included in your overall quote for the job – but it’s always worth asking your carpet fitter to make sure.
What are the average carpet fitting costs?
Carpet fitters will usually charge around £240 per day for labour.
Again, this will usually be included in your overall quote.
However, if you supply your carpet yourself, you may be charged a day rate for carpet fitting.
Head over to our carpet fitting cost guide to learn more.
How much does it cost to carpet a room?
Replacing the carpet in a single room can cost anywhere between £200 - £2,000.
It’ll all depend on factors such as the size of the room and the type and quality of the carpet.
How much does it cost to re-carpet a house?
The average cost to replace carpet in an entire house is £58 per m².
However, if you’re looking to completely re-carpet your home, you may be able to get discounted carpet prices due to your large order.
How much does it cost to replace carpet with hardwood?
The average cost to replace carpet with hardwood is £65 per m², for materials only.
You’ll also need to factor in the cost of labour. Natural wood flooring installation costs are typically in the region of £35 per m².
Read our wood flooring cost guide for more details.
How much does it cost to replace carpet on stairs with wood?
The average cost to replace carpet on stairs with wood is £160 per m².
This is higher than the cost of replacing carpet with wood in other rooms, as replacing flooring on stairs can be tricky.
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Factors affecting carpet replacement costs
As we’ve touched upon already, there are lots of different factors that can affect the cost of changing your carpet.
Here are the main ones:
Size of the area to be carpeted
The bigger the area of flooring that needs to be carpeted, the higher your carpet replacement cost will be.
This is because bigger areas will call for more materials, including carpet and underlay.
Plus, they’ll take longer to complete, pushing up labour costs.
Type and quality of carpet
Carpets can be made of natural or synthetic materials, with natural materials typically costing more.
Budget carpet types include polypropylene, which can cost as little as £5 per m², and polyester, which can cost as little as £8.
Meanwhile, mid-range carpets like nylon and wool blends might cost somewhere in the region of £25 per m².
Luxury materials such as wool, jute and seagrass could range between £30-£100 per m².
Other factors that will affect the cost of the carpet itself include pile type, pile height and the quality of the carpet.
Location and accessibility
Prices for labour can vary up and down the country.
Generally speaking, prices tend to skew higher in London and the south of the UK.
You can also expect your costs to climb if accessibility is a challenge – for instance, if your home is on a busy road without parking, or you’re looking to fit carpet in rooms with narrow and hard-to-access spaces.
In particular, prices per m² tend to be higher if you’re re-carpeting stairs, which can be particularly challenging.
Similarly, most carpet companies will ask you to clear rooms of bulky furniture before they arrive and may charge you an additional fee if you need their help.
Underlay and extras
We’d always recommend replacing your underlay when you replace your carpet.
Good underlay can really help to extend your carpet's lifespan.
Plus, it can add insulation, help reduce energy bills, eliminate noise, and enhance the comfort and appearance of your carpet.
The cost of underlay typically ranges from£8 - £12 per m² for supply and installation.
However, prices can vary depending on the quality and quantity of the carpet being fitted.
Other extras might include accessories like grippers and carpet adhesive. Usually, these will be included in your overall quote, but it’s always worth discussing this with your carpet fitter to avoid unexpected costs once the fitting begins.
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Cost of new carpet vs other flooring options
Of course, you don’t have to replace your old carpet with more carpet. Instead, there are several other flooring options that you could choose from.
Here are just a few:
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring is long-lasting, durable and characterful.
It isn’t the most affordable carpet replacement option, but it could be worth making the switch – especially in high-traffic areas.
To give you some idea of pricing, high-end hardwood flooring could cost £80+ per m².
Meanwhile, you’re looking at around £35 per m² for installation.
Laminate and vinyl
If you’re looking for a more affordable carpet replacement option, laminate and vinyl could be right up your street.
These flooring types come in a range of designs that can mimic the look of wood flooring. Plus, they’re cost-effective and easy to maintain.
The cost of laminate flooring is usually between £20 - £60 per m², while fitting costs tend to be around £30 per m².
On the other hand, sheet vinyl flooring costs in the region of £10 - £30 per m², plus around £225 per day for installation.
Tiles and other options
Replacing your carpet with tiles can add value to your home.
Tiling is highly durable, waterproof and has a timeless appearance. It’s particularly well-suited to areas of the home that come into contact with water – such as kitchens and bathrooms.
You’re looking at between £10 - £40 per m² for standard tiles up to £50 - £100+ per m² for premium materials – plus around £35 per m² for installation.
Another option that’s become increasingly popular is concrete, which can be polished or stained and is again very durable.
Polished concrete flooring typically costs around £135 per m² for materials and labour.
Extra costs to consider when replacing carpet
As with most projects, there are extra costs to consider when you’re replacing your carpets.
These include:
Removing and disposing of old carpet
Removing and disposing of your old carpet typically costs around £10 per m².
However, this may already be included in your overall quote – so make sure to check!
Adjusting doors
If your replacement carpet has a deeper pile, your doors may catch on your floor when you open and close them.
In this case, you’ll likely need to shave the bottom off your internal doors. As a rough guide, this could cost around £25 per door.
Floor levelling
Carpet is a good option for uneven floors as it’s naturally flexible.
However, if it’s particularly noticeable or you want to replace your carpets with hard flooring, you may need to level your floors first.
The average liquid screed cost is £21.50 per m², plus £12 - £16 per m² for labour.
Adding underfloor heating
Replacing your carpet can be a great chance to install underfloor heating if you’ve been considering it for your home.
Contrary to what you might think, underfloor heating does work with carpet, as well as with hard flooring options.
Retrofitting underfloor heating in an existing property is typically more expensive than installing it in a new build. You’re looking at around £60 - £85 per m² for an electric system or £95 - £110 per m² for a wet one.
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New carpet cost calculator
If you decide to go for new carpet, our handy online carpet cost calculator can give you a rough idea of what to expect.
That way, you can budget accordingly.
Enter your floor dimensions (m2):
Add item (choose one)
Item | Avg Unit Cost | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|
£35.00 per m² | ||
£80.00 per m² | ||
£8.50 per m² | ||
£12.50 per m² | ||
£10.00 per m² | ||
£10.00 per m² |
Add items (specify quantity of each)
Item | Avg Unit Cost | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|
Staircase levelling / repair | £67.50 each | |
Adjusting doors | £25.00 per door | |
Delivery of carpet | £30.00 each |
Estimated overall cost:
£0.00
Working with professional estimators, we collate cost estimates for the common home improvement and repair jobs in the UK. All the costs are estimates only and for accurate costs for your particular requirements, you are encouraged to reach out to professional tradespeople to receive a quote for your job. Read our disclaimer for more information.
How much does it cost to carpet a 12x12 room in the UK?
To carpet a 12x12 foot room in the UK, you can expect to pay roughly £716.90.
This includes underlay and standard carpet, as well as fitting costs. However, it doesn’t include other additional items, such as the cost of removing your old carpet.
How much does it cost to do 1,000 square feet of carpet?
Based on 1,000 square feet of carpet (roughly 93 m²), average costs will be in the region of £4,964.80.
Again, this includes underlay, standard carpet and fitting costs.
What’s the average cost to carpet a 3-bedroom house?
The average 3-bedroom house in the UK has a floor area of 88 square meters.
With that in mind, you can expect to pay roughly £4,708 to carpet your whole home.
With the removal of your old carpet, this figure will rise to around £5,588.
But remember, this is just a rough guide!
The best way to get an accurate cost for your carpet replacement is to reach out to carpet fitters in your area.
We always recommend getting at least three quotes to get a feel for a range of companies and check you’re getting a fair and competitive price for the work.
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Can I replace a carpet myself, or should I hire a professional?
You might be tempted to save money by replacing a carpet yourself.
This can be a great idea if you have the skills and experience to complete the job. But if you’re a complete beginner, it could spell disaster.
We always recommend hiring a professional with the skills, tools and knowledge needed to complete the job to a high standard. Here are a few reasons why.
Measurements
It sounds simple, but any little mistake can be a big problem when it comes to measuring.
If your measurements aren’t accurate, you could end up with a carpet that is too small for your space with no refunds!
In addition, even if you do order the right size of carpet, you may accidentally cut off too much during fitting – in which case, the carpet is ruined.
Safety
It can become a tripping hazard if you don’t lay your carpet correctly.
In particular, stairs are very difficult to carpet. Plus, it can also be tricky to fit underlay, grippers and to lay carpet around pipes or doorways.
Quality
Finally, it can be very difficult to achieve a professional finish and you may be unhappy with the end result.
In contrast, a reputable professional who knows what they’re doing will get things right first time round – producing an end result that you can be proud of and potentially saving you money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes.
Find a carpet fitter near you
Ready to find a reliable flooring expert to replace your old carpets?
You’re in the right place!
At Checkatrade, all our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and are regularly reviewed on everything from punctuality to professionalism.
We even check all the reviews they receive to make sure they’re written by real people!
In fact, we’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000 (guaranteed for 12 months – eligibility and T&Cs apply).
Request a quote for carpet fitting services, or enter your postcode into the box below to browse trusted carpet fitters near you.
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FAQs
How long does it take to replace a carpet?
It usually takes less than a day to replace a carpet, depending on how big the carpet is, how many rooms are being re-carpeted and how accessible the carpet is.
What are the most durable carpet materials?
The most durable carpet material is nylon.
Is underlay necessary for all carpets?
No, underlay isn’t necessary for all carpets, although it’s usually recommended.
Generally, if your carpet has a textile or latex backing, underlay is a must. But if it has a felt, rubber felt or foam backing, it may not be necessary.
Can old carpets be recycled?
Yes, nearly all carpet types can be recycled. However, not all out-of-home recycling points will accept them.
What is the cost to carpet stairs?
The cost to carpet a straight, single staircase will usually be around £150 - £250 + VAT. However, this doesn’t include the cost of underlay.
Bear in mind that staircases with multiple changes in direction will generally cost more to carpet.
What is the average cost of carpet replacement in the UK?
The average cost of carpet replacement in the UK is £1,100 for one room.
How much does carpet fitting cost per square metre?
The average carpet fitting cost per square metre is £8.50.
What is the difference between wool and synthetic carpets?
Synthetic carpets are very popular. They tend to be more affordable than wool and are also durable, easy to clean and great for high traffic areas.
On the other hand, wool carpets tend to be more expensive. They’re usually soft and luxurious and can be durable too – however, they’re harder to clean.
Are there eco-friendly carpet options available?
Yes, there are plenty of options available if you’re looking for an eco-friendly carpet. Eco-friendly carpet options come from renewable resources and can include 100% wool carpets as well as carpets made from 100% plant based organic fibre, like sisal.
How often should a carpet be replaced?
Carpets typically need to be replaced roughly every 5 to 15 years.
What is the cost difference between carpet and hardwood flooring?
The cost of a standard carpet per m² will typically be around£35 (not including installation). Meanwhile, high-end hardwood flooring could cost£80+ per m².
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