How much does carpet removal cost?
How much does carpet removal cost?
$0.70 – $1.60 cost per square foot
$140 – $320 average cost per room (200 SF)
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.
| 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.
Cost to remove carpet by type
The cost to remove carpet depends on the carpet type and how it was installed.
| 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.
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.
Applying glue-dissolving chemicals is sometimes also necessary. Talk to the contractor about non-toxic removal methods if you have allergies.
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.
Use carpet tiles for basements that are easy to replace when needed. Most basement carpets are glued down for durability and moisture resistance.
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:
New carpet installation costs $2 to $8 per square foot.
Hardwood flooring costs $7 to $25 per square foot.
Vinyl flooring costs $2 to $12 per square foot.
Tile flooring costs $10 to $50 per square foot.
Laminate flooring costs $4 to $14 per square foot.
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.
| Factor | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing carpet |
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| Cleaning carpet |
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| Replacing carpet |
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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
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?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.