Recarpeting an apartment typically costs $1,200-$5,600, with many projects landing near $3,000-$3,800 for carpet, padding, and professional installation. The final price depends on carpeted square footage, carpet and padding quality, labor rates, furniture moving, and whether old flooring needs removal.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio or small one-bedroom | $900 | $1,800 | $3,000 | About 300-500 carpeted sq ft |
| One-bedroom | $1,300 | $2,600 | $4,300 | About 450-700 carpeted sq ft |
| Two-bedroom | $2,000 | $3,800 | $6,000 | About 650-950 carpeted sq ft |
| Three-bedroom | $2,800 | $5,200 | $8,000 | About 900-1,300 carpeted sq ft |
Assumptions: Typical U.S. apartment, standard residential carpet and padding, accessible rooms, and professional installation; kitchen and bathrooms are excluded.
What apartment carpet replacement usually costs
Installed carpet generally runs $3-$8 per sq ft, including carpet, padding, and basic labor. A budget polyester carpet with standard padding may cost $3-$5 per sq ft, while denser nylon or stain-resistant styles can reach $6-$8 per sq ft. Premium materials and complicated layouts can exceed that range.
Apartment floor area is not the same as carpet area. Kitchens, bathrooms, closets with hard flooring, and entry areas may not be included. A 750-sq-ft apartment might need carpet in only 500-650 sq ft of rooms and hallways. Measure the areas receiving carpet rather than multiplying the apartment’s advertised square footage by an installed rate.
How carpet, padding, and installation shape the quote
Quotes may bundle materials and labor or list each charge separately. The table shows common components for a roughly 700-sq-ft job; prices vary with product choices and local labor.
| Quote component | Typical range | Pricing basis | What can change it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet | $1,050-$3,500 | $1.50-$5 per sq ft | Fiber, pile, wear rating, and pattern |
| Padding | $210-$700 | $0.30-$1 per sq ft | Thickness, density, and moisture barrier |
| Installation labor | $560-$1,260 | $0.80-$1.80 per sq ft | Room shape, stairs, and seam placement |
| Removal and disposal | $140-$490 | $0.20-$0.70 per sq ft | Old carpet condition and disposal rules |
| Transitions and supplies | $50-$250 | Per job | Doorways, tack strips, and floor repairs |
A written quote should specify carpet, pad, installation, removal, and any floor preparation as separate inclusions or charges.
Why room area and carpet grade change the price
Carpet quantity is usually based on measured room dimensions, with extra material needed for cuts and seams. A project with 400 sq ft of simple rectangular rooms may use material efficiently; narrow hallways, alcoves, and irregular corners increase waste and labor. Ask whether the estimate includes material overage.
Carpet grade also matters. At around $1.50-$2.50 per sq ft for carpet alone, entry-level polyester can suit light-use rooms but may show wear sooner. Nylon commonly costs about $2.50-$5 per sq ft and is often selected for higher-traffic living areas. For a 700-sq-ft job, moving from $2 to $4 carpet adds about $1,400 in material before waste and installation.
Padding specifications affect both cost and feel. Many apartments use 6-8 lb density padding, while heavier traffic or manufacturer requirements may call for denser padding. Confirm that the selected pad matches the carpet warranty; an unsuitable pad can invalidate coverage.
Where apartment owners can trim carpet spending
Keeping sound carpet in closets or low-use rooms can reduce the measured area, provided the remaining floors and transitions can be finished cleanly. Choosing a durable mid-grade carpet instead of a premium pattern can also lower the material bill without cutting padding quality.
Compare at least three quotes using the same carpet type, pad density, room measurements, removal scope, and furniture-moving terms. Ask about remnants for a small bedroom, but verify that the color and quantity match and that the installer can complete seams properly. Comparing equivalent written scopes is more useful than choosing the lowest headline rate.
Regional labor rates shift apartment carpet prices
Labor and disposal charges tend to run higher in major coastal cities and dense metro areas than in smaller markets. As a rough budgeting adjustment, urban quotes may be 10%-25% above national midrange pricing, while rural areas can be 5%-15% lower when travel and minimum charges are modest. Local material availability can offset some of the difference.
Apartment buildings may impose delivery windows, elevator reservations, insurance documentation, or work-hour limits. These requirements can add scheduling time or a service fee, even when the carpeted area is unchanged. For a local estimate, confirm building rules before scheduling and ask whether fees are included in the quote.
How long installation takes and what labor includes
A straightforward one-bedroom apartment often takes a two-person crew about 4-8 hours; a larger two-bedroom may take 6-10 hours, especially when old carpet must be removed. Installers generally cut and stretch carpet, secure edges, and fit transitions, but minor subfloor work may be billed separately.
Some companies price labor by the square foot, while others apply a minimum charge for small jobs. A minimum can make a single-room replacement cost more per sq ft than a full-apartment project. Confirm whether furniture moving, closet work, and stairs are included rather than assuming they are part of installation.
Removal, furniture moving, and floor repairs add charges
Removing old carpet and hauling it away commonly adds $0.20-$0.70 per sq ft. Moving furniture may cost $50-$200 for a small apartment or more if heavy items, packed rooms, or special handling are involved. Some installers require residents to empty rooms instead of moving belongings.
Subfloor patching, squeak repair, or leveling is commonly quoted after inspection, often adding $100-$500 for limited repairs. Water damage or a large uneven area can cost more and may require separate flooring work. Request an inspection before accepting a quote that assumes the subfloor is ready.
Three apartment quotes at different carpet grades
A studio with 350 sq ft of carpet, basic polyester, standard padding, and no removal might total $1,200-$1,800 at roughly $3.40-$5.15 per sq ft installed. A typical two-bedroom with 700 sq ft, mid-grade nylon, old-carpet removal, and basic furniture moving might total $3,200-$4,600, or about $4.60-$6.60 per sq ft.
A three-bedroom with 1,050 sq ft, premium stain-resistant carpet, upgraded pad, removal, and several irregular rooms might cost $6,000-$8,500, about $5.70-$8.10 per sq ft. These examples assume ordinary access and no major subfloor repairs; written local bids can differ with waste, building rules, and labor availability.