Carpet Installation Cost in Metro Detroit: What You'll Actually Pay

The Short Answer

For most Metro Detroit homes, expect to pay somewhere between $2.50 and $8.00 per square foot installed, including carpet, padding, and labor. A typical 12x15 bedroom (180 square feet) runs roughly $450 to $1,440 total.

That's a wide range, I know. The price depends on the carpet quality you choose, your home's specific situation, and who you hire. Let me explain what pushes the price up or down.

What's Actually Included in "Installation Cost"?

This is where comparison shopping gets tricky. When one company says "$2.99 installed," ask what's included:

• The carpet itself — Different qualities at different price points
• Padding/cushion — Sometimes quoted separately
• Labor — The actual installation work
• Old carpet removal — Some charge extra, some include it
• Furniture moving — Often an additional fee
• Transitions and trim — Where carpet meets other flooring
• Disposal fees — Getting rid of old carpet

A low quote that excludes several of these can end up costing more than a higher all-inclusive price. We've had customers come to us after getting surprised by add-ons that doubled their "bargain" quote.

What Affects Your Price

1. Carpet Quality and Fiber Type

The carpet you choose is the biggest variable. Entry-level polyester carpet costs less than premium nylon. Within each fiber type, there's also a range based on density, pile height, and brand.

For rentals or budget projects, lower-cost options make sense. For your forever home's living room? A denser, more durable carpet might be worth the extra cost over time.

2. Square Footage (But Not How You'd Think)

Larger jobs have lower per-square-foot costs because setup time and travel are spread across more area. A single bedroom costs more per square foot than carpeting an entire house.

Also, carpet comes in standard widths (typically 12 or 15 feet). Odd-shaped rooms or narrow hallways mean more waste and more seams, which affects the total price.

3. Floor Condition

If your subfloor needs repair — squeaky boards, uneven sections, damaged plywood — that adds time and cost. Most floors are fine, but older homes sometimes have surprises under the old carpet.

4. Stairs

Stairs are priced separately from regular floor area. They require more labor-intensive work — wrapping each step, creating clean edges, working in a confined space. Expect stairs to add meaningfully to the total.

5. Furniture Moving

Some installers include moving basic furniture. Others charge extra. Heavy items like pianos, pool tables, or wall units usually require special handling or need to be moved by others beforehand.

Price Ranges by Carpet Type

Here's roughly what you can expect for installed carpet in Metro Detroit, including standard padding:

Budget-Friendly Options ($2.50-$4.00/sq ft installed)

Basic polyester or olefin carpet. Good for rentals, basements, or areas where durability isn't the top priority. Gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Mid-Range ($4.00-$6.00/sq ft installed)

Where most homeowners land. Better quality polyester or entry-level nylon. Good balance of comfort, durability, and appearance. Should hold up well for years in normal household use.

Premium ($6.00-$8.00+ sq ft installed)

Higher-quality nylon, dense construction, better warranties. Feels nicer underfoot, holds up better to heavy traffic, shows wear less quickly. Worth considering for high-use areas or if you're planning to stay in your home long-term.

The Big Box Store Question

"Can I get it cheaper at Home Depot or Lowe's?" It's a fair question. Here's what to know:

Big box stores advertise aggressive per-square-foot prices. Those prices often exclude padding, removal, furniture moving, and sometimes even the installation labor itself. By the time you add everything, the total may not be as different as the ads suggest.

The bigger difference is often service. Big box stores use contracted installers who might be juggling multiple jobs. If something goes wrong, you're dealing with a corporate customer service line rather than the person who did the work.

We're not saying big box stores are bad — they serve a purpose. Just make sure you're comparing total costs, not just the headline number.

Getting an Accurate Quote

The only way to know what your project will cost is to have someone measure your specific space and discuss your needs. Online calculators and phone estimates are rough guides at best.

When getting quotes, ask these questions:

• Is this price all-inclusive? What's extra?
• What padding is included? Can I upgrade?
• Do you charge separately for old carpet removal?
• What about furniture moving?
• Are there any potential add-ons I should know about?

A good installer will be upfront about all costs. If you're getting vague answers or lots of "it depends" without specifics, that's a yellow flag.

How We Price Our Work

At Metro Detroit Carpet, we quote all-inclusive prices. The number we give you covers carpet, padding, installation, removal of your old carpet, and basic furniture moving. No surprises.

We bring samples to your home so you can see colors in your actual lighting. We measure the space accurately. Then we give you a written quote that covers everything.

If something unexpected comes up during installation — like subfloor damage we couldn't see before — we talk to you before doing any additional work.