Fitting a new carpet is something best left to professionals, but what does the job entail and how much should carpet fitting cost in the UK?
We’ve compiled this guide to answer these questions, looking into price ranges for carpets, how long a job should take and helpful tips to make the job go smoothly.
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Carpet Fitting Cost — Overview
You could fit a carpet yourself, but it’s a fiddly job that, in my opinion, is best left to professionals. For example, you must cut into corners, ensure the carpet lays flat under doors, and eradicate lumps and bumps.
So how much does carpet fitting cost, and what level of service can you expect from a top-rated carpet fitter?
At the very least, your carpet fitter will fit your new carpet onto your floor, providing fixings such as plates to go under doors to keep the carpet flat.
They can also fit underlay, remove old carpet, level the floor, replace floorboards and even remove furniture. The more your carpet fitter does, the higher the price. In line with this, the larger the room, the higher the price.
To keep costs down, do as much of the preliminary work yourself. Empty the room, make sure the floorboards are in top condition and buy the carpet. We’ve included a carpet price guide in the next section.
What Should I be Paying to Fit Carpet in 2024?
The following chart shows how much carpet fitting costs and how long it will take for various jobs. We’ve also provided costing for optional extras such as screeding and room clearance.
| Job Type/Size | Details | Average Costs | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small room (3.3m x 3m) | Carpet plus underlay and fixings | £350–£450 | 1–2 hours |
| Medium room (4.6m x 3.66m) | Carpet plus underlay and fixings | £410–£550 | 2 hours |
| Large room (5.24m x 5m) | Carpet plus underlay and fixings | £790–£900 | 2–3 hours |
| Large room (30m2) | Remove old carpet, re-carpet plus underlay | £700 | 2–3 hours |
| Medium | Carpeting on a standard staircase | £80–£100 | Not given |
| Small | Door easing | £10–£15 per door | Not given |
| Medium | Lifting old flooring | £1–£2 per m2, plus £15 disposal | Not given |
| Medium | Screeding | £25 per m2 | Not given |
| Medium | Ply boarding | £20 per m2 | Not given |
| Large | Room Clearance | £20 per room | Not given |
Carpet Prices
With carpet, you get what you pay for. A thin carpet that is cheap but not so cheerful can be bought for £5 per m2 or less, but it won’t be comfortable underfoot, and it could wear out quickly.
A better option is to go for a mid-range carpet, which is £15–20 per m2. If you want a thick, luxurious pile, premium carpet costs £30 per m2.
Don’t forget underlay. Underlay costs between £3.50 and £10 per m2, depending on thickness.
Pro Tip: A good quality, thick underlay can make an average carpet feel better underfoot. Underlays rarely need replacing, so it’s worth allocating more of your carpet budget to the underlay. This is particularly true for rental properties, where carpet gets damaged and replaced often. In this case, we recommend buying a high-quality underlay and cheap carpet.
Hiring a Carpet Fitter — Top Tips
- As always, get three quotes from different tradespeople to get a good idea of the price in your area.
- Ask for a fixed price for the whole job, not an hourly rate. This way, you know how much you’ll pay from the start.
- Check reviews and references
- Use trusted sources such as Rated People
Don’t fancy doing this job yourself? Find top-rated carpet fitters in your area by clicking the button below:
Final Thoughts
You should now be aware of average UK costs for various room sizes and have a better idea of how much carpet costs.
To find top-rated carpet fitters in your local area, check out Rated People and receive FREE quotes for carpeting your project.