Installing new carpet costs $2 to $8 per square foot, depending on the carpet quality, fiber material, room size, and prep work needed. Common prep work includes removing the old carpet and replacing the carpet padding for an additional $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. Most carpet manufacturers require new padding of a certain thickness to keep the warranty intact.
Other factors that influence the cost of installing new carpet include the labor rates in your area, the installer's experience, and the installation complexity. Rooms with stairs, corners, or irregular shapes take longer to install and require more carpet due to the higher percentage of waste when cutting to fit the space.