How much does carpet repair cost?
How much does carpet repair cost?
$150 – $300 average repair cost
Average carpet repair cost
Carpet repair costs $150 to $300 on average, with most people spending about $225. Fixing carpet wrinkles costs $100 to $300, while carpet patching costs $125 to $250 per patch. Carpet repair prices depend on the type and extent of the damage and the carpet material, quality, and accessibility.
| National Average Cost | $225 |
| Minimum Cost | $20 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,000 |
| Average Range | $150 to $300 |
High humidity, poor installation, or general shifting over time can lead to carpet problems.
Most carpet repair professionals charge a minimum job fee of $100 to $300+.
Carpet repair cost by problem
Different kinds of carpet damage require different methods of repair at different price points. The table below details the most common damage types and their typical repair costs:
| Damage type | Average repair cost |
|---|---|
| Burns | $100 – $250 |
| Dents | $100 – $300 |
| Loose carpet | $150 – $300 |
| Pet damage | $150 – $1,000+ |
| Snags / tears | $100 – $250 |
| Stains / discoloration | $125 – $600 |
| Water damage | $300 – $2,000 |
Water damage
Repairing a water-damaged carpet costs $300 to $2,000. Depending on the damage size and extent, the repair may involve water extraction, complete drying, subfloor repair, antimicrobial treatments, carpet pad replacement, and stretching or replacing heavily saturated sections.
Water-damaged carpets run the risk of growing mold if not thoroughly cleaned and dried. Replacing the carpet completely may be the best and safest option for a heavily soaked carpet.
Pet damage
Repairing pet damage costs $150 to $1,000+, depending on the type and size of the damaged carpet area. Pet damage may involve urine stains, digging damage, scratches, and chewing damage. Repair methods vary and may include urine enzyme treatments, patching, and potentially subfloor sealing.
Burns
Repairing carpet burns costs $100 to $250 per burn. Price depends mainly on the size of the burn. To repair a burned area, professionals cut out the damaged portion and patch in a replacement piece of carpet.
Snags & tears
Repairing carpet snags and tears costs $100 to $250 per tear on average. Small snags can be smoothed back into place, and minor tears can sometimes be reattached with gluing. More extensive snags and tears often require patching, increasing the material and labor costs.
Stains & discoloration
Carpet surface stain cleaning and removal averages $125 to $250. For bleaching or fading issues across a large area, carpet dyeing costs $125 to $600 per room and creates a uniform color, blending the discolored areas in with the rest of the carpet.
Loose carpet
Repairing a loose or wrinkled carpet costs $100 to $300 per room on average. This repair typically involves stretching the carpet and re-securing it to the tack strips around the edges. In addition to the unsightly appearance, loose carpet poses a tripping hazard. You should address it as soon as possible.
Carpet repair cost by method
The repair method used depends on your carpet material and the size and type of damage. The table below provides average prices for some of the most common repair methods.
| Repair method | Average cost per room* |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | $40 – $60 |
| Stretching | $100 – $300 |
| Dying | $125 – $600 |
| Patching | $125 – $250 per patch |
*Most repair professionals charge a $100 to $300+ minimum job fee.
Carpet cleaning
Professional carpet cleaning costs $0.20 to $0.25 per square foot or $40 to $60 per room. While cleaning cannot repair structural damage, it can be an effective method to remove stains, embedded dirt, and restore a dingy carpet.
Carpet stretching
Carpet stretching costs $100 to $300, depending on the room size, and is the most common solution to fix loose or wrinkling carpet. This method involves removing furniture, pulling the carpet tighter across the tack strips using a knee kicker or power stretcher, cutting away excess material, and re-securing.
Carpet dyeing
Carpet dyeing costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot or $125 to $600 total on average, depending on the room size. Full carpet dyeing aims to adjust the color uniformly across a large area of installed carpet as opposed to patching a small, discolored area.
Carpet patch repair
Carpet patching costs $125 to $250 on average, depending on the size. Patching is the most common method to repair tears, burns, pet damage, and other localized issues. If leftover carpet scraps are not available, patch material can come from closet areas or by stretching the carpet to create excess material.
Carpet repair cost factors
While the type of damage and the method of repair play large roles in determining the cost, many variables affect the final price of carpet repair jobs. Consider these cost factors when budgeting and comparing quotes:
Area size: Labor and materials costs directly correlate to the size of your repair area.
Accessibility: Repairs in high traffic areas or tight spaces take more time and work, increasing labor fees 10% to 20% in most cases.
Damage extent: Costs increase if the repair requires padding replacement or subfloor repairs.
Replacing carpet padding costs $0.75 to $1.75 per square foot for materials and labor.
Subfloor repair costs $100 to $300 to fix a small area. If the floor joists need replacing, add $350 to $1,000 per joist.
DIY vs. professional: Repairing carpet DIY saves on labor cost but risks costly mistakes that could make the repair more expensive in the long run. Hiring a professional is best for anything more than a tiny patch.
Furniture: Some companies include moving furniture in their repair estimate, while others charge hourly, so any extra time spent moving things to complete the repair will cost you. Always clarify who will handle relocating the furniture before repairs begin.
Carpet material
Your carpet material also impacts the repair cost. More expensive carpeting typically costs more to repair. Wool and acrylic cost more than nylon, polyester, and olefin carpets.
| Material | Average repair cost (per square foot) |
|---|---|
| Polyester | $1.00 – $1.25 |
| Polypropylene / olefin | $1.10 – $1.25 |
| Nylon | $1.25 – $2.00 |
| Acrylic | $1.50 – $3.00 |
| Wool | $2.00 – $3.00 |
Carpet repair vs. carpet replacement
Carpet repair averages $150 to $300, while new carpet installation costs $2 to $8 per square foot installed, or $200 to $900 total for a 10'x12' room. Additional costs when replacing carpet instead of repairing it include moving the furniture, replacing the carpet pad, and disposing of the old carpet.
Repairing a carpet is almost always cheaper than replacing it, provided the damage is not too severe. Some damages, like those incurred from standing water or heavily soaked carpet that has been sitting for more than a day, warrant replacement instead to prevent more serious health and safety issues from developing.
Always get a detailed estimate to avoid any surprises on your bill after the work is finished.
Saving money on carpet repairs
If you're willing to put in some extra effort, you can reduce the cost of carpet repairs by taking these steps:
Move furniture yourself before the repair technicians arrive.
Attempt small DIY repairs first before calling in pros.
Research disposal options if you're replacing carpet.
Call around for the best deals and promotions.
Carpet repair FAQs
How long does it take to repair carpet?
Most minor carpet repairs, like cleaning or fixing a small snag, take 2 to 3 hours. More severe damage like heavy stains, discoloration, or major water damage may take several days or weeks to repair, depending on the damage size, type, and extent.
For an accurate repair timeline, discuss your specific circumstances—your carpet type, the nature of the damage, and the size of the area needing repair—with a local carpet repair professional.
Can you repair carpet yourself?
Small carpet repairs, like fixing a tiny hole or tear, are often DIY-friendly projects. DIY patch kits run from $20 to $50, and doing the job yourself can often save you over 50%, especially since most professionals charge a minimum fee for small jobs just to make it worth their travel time.
However, repairing carpet yourself increases the margin of error. Hire a trained professional for larger or more complicated repair work. The extra money you spend in labor fees will be well worth it to ensure the repair is done correctly and extends the life of your carpet a little while longer.
Can you replace just one section of carpet?
You can replace one section of carpet in many cases if the section is small and you have an extra piece large enough to replace it. After cutting out the damaged section, professionals glue or staple the new piece of carpet and trim it down to blend with the existing carpet fibers.
When you install a new carpet, save any extra pieces or scraps left from the installation to use for future repairs if needed.
Getting estimates for carpet repair service
Pricing and quality can vary significantly between companies. When searching for carpet repair services near you, be sure to:
Get 3+ in-person estimates to compare.
Check out customer reviews for local carpet repair services on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a company that is insured, bonded, and has been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid hiring the company with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Ask for a written contract, warranty, and a full breakdown of all material and labor costs before the work starts.
Don't pay in full until the job is complete.
Questions to ask a carpet repair professional
Consider several factors when hiring a carpet repair service, such as their experience, reputation, reviews, availability, pricing, warranty, and customer service. Ask the following questions to help narrow down your choices:
Is your company licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long have you been repairing carpet?
Can you share a list of references I can contact?
What extra costs might come up during a repair like this one?
Can you do subfloor work if needed?
Does the estimate include moving furniture, all materials and labor, and cleanup afterward?
How long will the repair take?
Will I be able to see evidence of the repair, or will it blend seamlessly into the carpet?
Do you provide a warranty for your repair work, and for how long?
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.