How much does carpet removal cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does carpet removal cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does carpet removal cost?

$0.70 – $1.60 cost per square foot
$140 – $320 average cost per room (200 SF)

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$0.70 – $1.60 cost per square foot

$140 – $320 average cost per room (200 SF)


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Sarah Noel
Written by
Sarah Noel
Edited by
Jennifer Carlson
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Tom Grupa

Carpet removal cost

Carpet removal costs $140 to $320 per room on average or $0.70 to $1.60 per square foot. The cost to remove glued-down carpet is $0.75 to $1.80 per square foot and is the hardest to remove. Carpet removal prices depend on the carpet type, removal method, and room size.

Carpet removal cost
Room size (square feet) Average cost*
100 $70 – $160
200 $140 – $320
400 $280 – $640
600 $420 – $960
800 $560 – $1,280
1,000 $700 – $1,600

*Including disposal . Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Get free estimates from carpet removal services near you.

Cost to remove carpet by type

The cost to remove carpet depends on the carpet type and how it was installed.

Cost to remove carpet by type
Carpet type Average cost to remove per square foot*
Wall-to-wall carpet and pad $0.70 – $1.60
Glued carpet + padding underneath $0.75 – $1.80
Basement carpet $0.95 – $1.55
Stair carpet $7.00 – $10.00 per stair

*Extra fees apply for furniture moving and other prep work.

Wall-to-wall carpet and pad

The cost to remove wall-to-wall carpet and padding is $0.70 to $1.60 per square foot. This price also includes removal of carpeting with built-in padding attached underneath it. Workers pry up staples and perform a thorough floor cleanup. You can reduce costs by reusing tack strips with new carpeting.

Removing tack strips if they have too much rust to be re-usable costs $0.40 to $0.50 per linear foot. Most wall-to-wall carpets require tack strips to install, although some are stapled down as well.

Carpet removal tack padding carpet pulled back
Carpet removal tack padding carpet pulled back

Glued carpet

The cost to remove glued carpet is $0.40 to $0.95 per square foot. If a carpet pad underneath needs to be removed as well, then the price increases by $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot extra.

This process is more time-consuming than removing carpet with staples or tack strips because contractors need to scrape off the floor afterward to remove all the residue, which can damage the subfloor.

Basement carpet

Basement carpet removal costs $0.95 to $1.55 per square foot. The lower end of the price range is for carpet removal in good working conditions. Removing wet carpet from a flooded or moldy basement costs $1.20 to $1.55 per square foot.

Costs to remove carpet glue from concrete are higher than other job types because it includes scraping, softening glue with hot water, using a chemical remover, and sanding.

  • Hiring a professional for mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot.

  • Basement waterproofing costs $6 to $15 per square foot.

  • Replacing the vapor barrier under carpeting costs $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot installed. A vapor barrier is essential when installing carpet over concrete.

Carpet cutting and removal process
Carpet cutting and removal process

Stair carpet

The cost of removing carpet from stairs is $7 to $10 per stair on average, depending on their size. Prices increase up to $25 per step for glued-down carpeting or specially designed staircases like spiral steps that require more careful attention.

This process is time-consuming because stairs have more staples or glue than regular carpet. Fees increase for cleaning and treating the floors afterward if you're restoring wood underneath the carpeting.

Carpet removal cost calculator

Several factors affect the total cost of carpet removal:

  • Room size & shape – Carpet in asymmetrical rooms have higher removal costs for the added labor, and larger room sizes have much more carpet.

  • Carpet type – Thicker carpets made with heavy materials like wool have higher removal fees, but thin carpets are cheaper to remove.

  • Old carpet's installation method – Carpet put in by "tack-less" stretch-in installation is the easiest to pull up. Stapled-down carpet costs slightly more, and glued-down carpet is the most expensive to take out.

  • Prep work – Furniture moving costs $25 to $75 per room. Taking off doors that open into the room also costs extra.

  • Carpet disposal cost – Extra hauling and dump fees cost $0.45 to $0.60 per square foot or $50 to $100 on average depending on the driving distance. Many companies offer discounts or include this fee in their total bid. Alternatively, junk removal prices are $150 to $350 per average load.

  • Flooring repairs – The cost to replace a subfloor is $2.20 to $4.75 per square foot. New trim installation costs $4 to $10 per linear foot.

  • Wet carpet – Higher prices apply for carpets saturated from leaking pipes or floods since they are heavier to move and can contain mold.

  • Carpet padding & tack strips – Removing padding and tack strips while removing the carpet also raises prices.

  • Replacement carpeting offers – Many carpet companies offer lower rates for carpet removal as part of a new carpet installation.

Labor

A professional carpet installer costs $40 to $125 hourly to remove carpet, depending on local labor rates and the job type. Average handyman rates are $50 to $80 per hour. Total labor costs to remove carpet vary greatly by location.

Remove and replace flooring

The cost to replace carpet with hardwood is $6.70 to $16.60 per square foot. The cost to remove carpet and install laminate flooring is $4.70 to $15.60 per square foot.

After carpet removal, most new flooring installation costs $4 to $15 per square foot on average, depending on the material. Common new flooring installation costs include:

Get free estimates from carpet removal services near you.

Carpet removal FAQs

Should I repair, clean, or remove and replace my carpeting?

Whether you should repair, clean, or replace carpeting depends on the age and condition of your flooring.

Repair vs. cleaning vs. replacing carpet
Factor Pros Cons
Repairing carpet
  • Repairs save money.
  • Repairs extend the carpet's lifespan.
  • Patches save time compared to a full replacement.
  • Repairing carpet won't hide extensive damage.
  • Patchwork won't perfectly blend with the rest of the carpet.
  • If the carpet is old, it may be more cost-effective to replace it.
Cleaning carpet
  • Cleaning is the cheapest & quickest solution.
  • Regular cleaning extends a carpet's lifespan & keeps it looking new.
  • Cleaning reduces allergens & improves indoor air quality.
  • Some stains or odors may be too deep-set to fully remove.
  • Frequent deep cleaning causes wear & tear over time.
  • Cleaning won't restore very old, worn-out carpets.
Replacing carpet
  • New carpet updates the room design.
  • Removing old carpet eliminates allergens, pests, or mold trapped in old carpeting.
  • New carpet adds value to the home.
  • A replacement is the most expensive option.
  • Replacing carpet is time-consuming.
  • Old carpeting requires proper disposal.

How long does it take to remove carpet?

Removing carpet takes 2.5 to 4.5 hours per room with an average room size of 100 to 150 square feet. Smaller rooms typically take at least 2 hours, including setup and basic cleanup.

Is it worth removing a carpet myself, and is it easy?

Removing an old carpet yourself is sometimes worth it if you have all the tools and basic experience in DIY repairs. Buying the right tools and supplies for the job costs $100 to $150 on average. You'll find it easy to remove stretched-in carpet or tacked-down carpeting.

However, glued-down carpet is much harder to remove without a professional, and old carpets are too heavy to move without help.

The tools needed include:

  • Floor scraper

  • Protective gear like a dust mask, safety glasses, and gloves

  • Pliers 6" to 9" in size with a firm grip

  • Pry bar

  • Utility knife

  • Carpet staple remover

Messy carpet removal project glued down carpet
Messy carpet removal project glued down carpet

What is the fastest way to remove carpet?

The fastest way to remove carpet from a simple stretch-in installation is by prying up the carpet in the corner with pliers and pulling it up and off the tack strips. You can tear up most of the carpet by hand. Wear gloves to protect your hands.

Otherwise, pry up a small corner of carpet, fold it over, and cut it into 2' to 3' wide strips to roll up and tape for quick disposal.

Can I recycle my carpet?

You can recycle your carpet at specialized local recycling centers. Some charge a fee for this because they need to shred, wash, sort, and process the fibers. Another option is calling local carpet manufacturers to see if they take drop-offs.

Alternatively, donate your carpet to Habit for Humanity where they can reuse it when building homes for charity.

Getting estimates from a carpet removal service

Before hiring a carpet removal service near you, be sure to:

  • Compare at least 3 estimates from different businesses and contractors.

  • Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Select licensed, bonded, and insured companies with 5+ years of experience.

  • Avoid selecting the lowest quote that typically indicates lower job standards.

  • Ask for a written contract and warranty before the project starts.

Questions to ask

Talk to contractors about these important job details before they start:

  • How much experience do you have in carpet removal and replacement?

  • If it's possible to recycle the carpet locally, what are my price options?

  • Can I use dumpster disposal for the old carpet in this area, and how much is it?

  • What are your rates for removing glued-down vs. stapled carpets?

  • Is the removal of the carpet pad underneath included in this bid as well?

  • Do you charge extra for carpet disposal and hauling fees?

  • Will you remove and reinstall doors that are in the way of removing the carpet?

  • Can I reduce the total costs if I move all the furniture before your crew arrives?

  • How much do you charge for moving furniture before carpet removal?

  • Can you pull up carpet without damaging it if I want to install it in another room?

  • How many people will come to tear up the old carpet?

  • What will you do to prevent any damage to the walls while working?

  • Do you bill carpet removal as part of the total labor fee for a carpet replacement?

  • Will you charge extra to fix my squeaky floors after carpet removal?

  • Can you protect my baseboards so that I can reuse them with a new carpet?