How much does it cost to carpet a 10x12 room?

When you buy a home, you want to make it your own. After all, one of the most exciting parts of graduating from renting to owning is that you can make dramatic changes to your living space whenever you want — it’s your home.

Of course, you’re also on the financial hook for making those changes. As such, if you want to invest in home improvements, you want to know how much things are going to cost. Many homeowners want to change the flooring in certain parts of their home, and carpeting makes up 40% of the flooring market.

Whether you want to add carpet to a bedroom, den, or office, it’s important to know the costs so you can find the best deal for your budget.

How much is carpeting? Breaking down the cost of carpet installation

There are myriad factors that go into calculating a specific carpeting job. 

HomeGuide’s 2023 carpet installation cost estimates indicate carpeting costs $2 to $8 per square foot installed, $200-900 to replace the carpet in a 10x12 room, and $1,800-$7,500 to carpet 1,000 square feet of a house. Those are enormous ranges.

To get an estimate of how much it costs to carpet a 10x12 room in your home, you need to break parts of the process. 

There are several costs that go into carpet installation that you must consider when estimating the cost of a carpeting project, including how much it costs to carpet a 10x12 room.

Carpet

The most significant cost of a carpeting job is the carpet itself. Retailers like Home Depot may have carpeting available for as little as $0.65 a square foot or as much as $12 a square foot. 

A 10x12 room is 120 square feet, so you’re looking at a range of $78 to $1,440 for the carpet alone. Carpet costs range depending on fiber, cut style or construction, and pile height, which we’ll cover in more detail later.

Padding

You don’t see carpet padding, but you’ll know if it’s missing. Padding is crucial to making the carpet feel comfortable to walk on. After all, that’s the whole point of the carpet, so don’t pinch pennies on padding, especially if you’re carpeting a room with concrete floors. Padding makes the floor softer, but it also insulates your floors and can reduce allergens and dampen sound.

Padding may range from $0.25 per square foot to $1.2 per square foot, making the cost for a 10x12 room between $30 and $144.

Installation

If you can install carpet yourself, that’s a great way to save some money. If you can find a company that offers free installation as a perk of purchasing from them, that’s even better. 

Otherwise, expect between $1 and $2 a square foot for labor costs. That’s a range of $120 and $240 for a 10x12 room.

Installation is tricky because not all companies offer the same services for the same labor cost. The company that charges $1 a square foot might expect you to empty the room of furniture, costing you time and energy. A more expensive company may include the manual labor required to clear the room before installing carpet. Make sure to ask exactly what labor costs are included before hiring a company.

All told, you’re looking at anywhere between $228 at the absolute least to more than $1,800 to carpet a 10x12 room.

Why carpet fibers and styles matter: a cost comparison

The primary reason carpeting costs range so much is because not all carpeting is equal. Carpet fiber matters quite a bit when it comes to maximizing comfort and budget. Let’s break down the differences in terms of fiber, cut style or construction, and pile height.

Carpet fiber

As you could probably guess, carpet fiber is the material carpeting is made out of. Like clothing, material makes a big difference in cost, but it’s not so simple as saying a certain material is “best.” Each type of carpet fiber has different benefits and drawbacks.

• Nylon is the most popular carpeting choice due to its durability and versatility. It’s available in many textures, colors, piles, or patterns, so it’s easy to find nylon that feels right for your specific space. It’s soft, easy to clean, and wear-resistant. It is not, however, stain-resistant unless it is specially treated. Nylon is in the middle of carpet fiber price ranges.
• Polyester starts at less than a dollar per square foot, making it one of the most affordable carpet fibers on the market. Polyester is stain-resistant, but it’s less durable than nylon and may need replacing sooner.‍
• Olefin (polypropylene) also starts at less than a dollar per square foot. This fabric has its color constructed into the fiber, making it less likely than other fabrics to fade or become discolored. It isn’t as tough as nylon or polyester, however, and can tear if used in high-traffic areas.‍
• Triexta is a newer artificial fiber that’s quickly gaining popularity. Made in part from corn, it’s softer and more stain-resistant than nylon thanks to its hydrophobic construction. Despite being more eco-friendly and similarly priced to nylon, triexta hasn’t surpassed nylon’s popularity yet due in part to outstanding questions of its long-term durability.‍
• Wool is soft, durable, flame-resistant, hypoallergenic, and stain-resistant. If you’ve stepped on a wool carpet, you know just how cozy it is. Wool carpeting is synonymous with luxury for a good reason: It’s expensive, starting at more than $3 per square foot.

Carpet cut style or construction

You’ve probably noticed that some carpeting just looks different, and not only because of the fiber. That’s because there are many different carpet cut styles or constructions. The five most common types are: 

• Berber/loop
• Frieze/shag
• Patterned
• Plush
• Textured

You’ve probably heard some of these terms before and might be able to identify some of them. When choosing carpeting, test a few different styles out to see what looks and feels right for your space. Generally, Berber/loop, plush, and textured are on the more affordable side, while Frieze/shag and pattern styles are more expensive.

Pile

Finally, pile refers to the height of the carpet. There are three main pile categories: low, medium, and high.

• Low pile carpeting has very short, flat fibers, as seen in an office building or school. The short pile makes it easier to clean and more durable because it doesn’t catch a lot of dust or become downtrodden by heavy foot traffic.
• Medium pile carpeting balances comfort and durability. It’s comfortable enough for bedrooms and living rooms, and durable enough to withstand the frequent foot traffic of those rooms. It will catch more dust and debris than low pile carpeting, but it’s still pretty easy to clean.
• High pile carpeting is luxuriant, plush, and cozy. It also helps dampen sound and insulate floors. It's also a magnet for dust, debris, hair, and anything you might track in from outside on the bottom of your shoes. It’s best used for dens, lofts, and other areas you want to prioritize comfort, but that you don’t necessarily spend a ton of time.

How to carpet a 10x12 room cheaply

How much it costs to carpet a 10x12 room depends on the price of materials in your area and your decisions. In this guide, you’ve learned the primary factors that impact carpet price, so you should know where to find savings.

For most residential carpeting jobs, medium pile Berber nylon carpeting is the most budget-friendly. You can save more money by installing the carpet yourself.

Spend some time shopping for options at local stores to see what carpeting makes the most sense for your space and your budget.