How Much Does Carpet Repair Cost? [2025 Data]

 If you accidentally matted your carpet with your couch, or you’re dealing with water damage, it’s time to look at carpet repair options. Carpet repair costs average $207 and range from $85 to $465, depending on the repair method and damage. The good news is that it’s almost always less expensive to repair a damaged carpet than to replace the whole thing, and patching or stretching your carpet may give it several more years. 

Understanding your options and the associated cost factors is important before making a budget and finalizing a plan to refresh your carpet.

Carpet Repair Cost Factors

From room size to the type of damage your carpet has, your individual project cost can vary greatly. When assessing the damage, keep these carpet repair cost factors in mind.

Type of Repair

Your carpet experiences a lot of wear and tear, from minor rips to pet stains, and the nature of the repair may impact the price you pay. Here are some common types of carpet repairs and how much they cost.

• Burn damage: A pro will repair a carpet burn using a carpet patch, which costs $150–$250. The larger the burn, the more it will cost. If a large section is burned or the padding is destroyed, you may need to replace the whole carpet.

• Water damage: You’ll pay $300–$1,000 to repair water damage in a basement or three-bedroom area. However, severe damage might require replacing the carpet or subfloor repairs. Floor repair costs add $400 but can reach into the thousands if the floor joists are compromised.

• Tears: You can use a DIY patch to repair a small section of torn carpet. Larger carpet patches for repairing tears cost $100–$250. 

• Snags: You can fix carpet snags caused by pets, furniture, or heavy foot traffic with patches or carpet treatments that help the existing fibers sit back into the carpet. You’ll likely pay $150–$250 for snag repair.

• Loose carpet: Carpet stretching tightens loose carpet, secures it acbk to the floor, and costs about $100–$300. Loose carpet can pose a safety hazard, so look into this common treatment sooner than later. 

• Stains, bleaching, or sun damage: Prolonged sun exposure can lighten or bleach your carpet, but a carpet pro can clean and dye it to match. Removing stains or discoloration from your carpet will cost about $125–$250.

• Pet damage: Our pets can do a number on our carpets, from digging holes to urine stains. Depending on the severity and range of issues, repairing pet damage costs $150–$1,000.

Cost to Repair Carpet by Method

There are several ways to revitalize or rejuvenate your carpet. Here’s a short breakdown of each, plus the average cost for a pro to do the job.

• Stretching: Pros use special tools to stretch your carpet and then secure it with tack strips. This one-time job works best on loose or wrinkled carpet and costs $100–$300. Some pros charge $100–$140 per room, depending on room size. 

• Patch repair: The cost to patch a carpet is $150–$250 and it’s most effective on areas of 1 square foot or less. Your pro will cut out the damaged carpet and install a matching piece. Costs range with the patch size and the needed carpet material. 

• Carpet cleaning: A stained or old carpet may simply need a deep clean. On average, carpet cleaning costs $185. You can rent a professional-level steam cleaner for as little as $30 per day. However, carpet cleaning pros have industry-grade tools and supplies and can take additional steps to eradicate mold or mildew. 

• Carpet dyeing: Stained, bleached, or sun-damaged carpet can benefit from dye, which rejuvenates the fiber and helps give it a uniform color. On average, carpet dyeing costs $1.50–$2.50 per square foot. 

Cost per Square Foot 

The larger the carpet or section that needs repair, the more expensive the carpet repair will be. Most local carpet repair companies charge either by the hour ($60 per hour) or per square foot (around $0.35 per square foot). 

These amounts can depend on the type of carpet you have. If you need to replace the subfloor or carpet pad as well, you’ll pay more for repairs.

Carpet Material

Higher-end carpet materials like wool, acrylic, and nylon may cost $1.25 to $3 per square foot during carpet repair. Polyester starts at around $1 per square foot. Here’s a list of other common carpet repair costs by material:

Labor 

Labor accounts for a significant portion of carpet repair costs. Depending on the specialist and the type of repair, your carpet repair technician may charge by the hour or square foot. Carpet repair specialists charge around $60 per hour or $0.35 per square foot, though you may pay more or less than the average, depending on your location.

Furniture Removal

Before you can repair your carpet, you’ll need to remove the furniture from the room. Depending on the amount and weight of the furniture, you may be able to move it yourself to save on labor costs. However, your carpet repair professional can help for an additional cost. Expect to pay around $60 per hour in additional labor charges.

Carpet Accessibility 

If your carpet is in a difficult-to-reach area, you’ll likely pay more for repairs. Pros charge around 15% more to repair a spot that’s tough to reach than an easy-to-reach area. More complicated jobs require more measuring, cutting, and differently shaped patches. 

Padding Replacement 

Underneath your carpet sits the carpet padding, which is important for comfort, insulation, and noise reduction, as well as carpet maintenance. Carpet padding costs $0.75 to $3.75 per square foot on average. For a 10-by-10-foot-room, a new carpet pad costs around $75 to $375.

Moving Furniture

Certain carpet repair methods, like stretching the carpet or performing a deep clean, will require you to move all the furniture from the room. (By the way, moving furniture around regularly is one of the keys to extending your carpet’s life.)

Some carpet companies may help you move furniture, but you’ll incur greater labor costs, which average around $60 per hour.

Carpet Disposal 

Most carpet removal pros include carpet disposal in the quote you receive for replacement or repair. It costs about $140 to dispose of an old carpet.

DIY carpet disposal costs between $0.40 and $0.50 per square foot, and you’ll save about 50% in terms of labor costs if you get rid of the carpet yourself.

When to Repair vs. Replace Your Carpet

Repair is often the best option if your carpet is less than 10 years old and otherwise in decent shape. In many cases, it is the most cost-effective choice, at an average of $210. Most pros can repair the following damage without needing to replace the carpet:

• Minor burns

• Tears and snags

• Loose areas of carpet

• Pet damage

• Minor stains and bleaching

Replacing your carpet may be the better option if you notice any of the following signs:

• Stains that won’t come out

• Lingering odors that remain even after carpet cleaning

• Worn-out padding

• Excessive damage

• Increased allergy symptoms

Replacing may also be best if your carpet is over 20 years old. Depending on the type, carpets can last between five and 15 years. Carpet replacement costs an average of $1,700, though it can cost as little as $750 or as much as $2,700, depending on the carpet type and the square footage of the installation area.

Cost to Repair Carpet Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro 

With the average job costing slightly over $200 for materials and labor, you could save a large portion (70% or more) by repairing a carpet yourself. That said, carpet repair can be tricky and time-intensive. Research the repairs you need to ensure your skills are up to snuff. If they’re not, you may spend more money trying to fix DIY mistakes or hiring a local carpet installer to do so.

For example, you might save up to $600 by steam cleaning a carpet yourself. But if in a few months you discover mold has seeped into other areas of your home, that job will be much more costly to repair.

Everyone loves saving money, but carpet repair can be challenging. In some instances, it’s a job best left to a carpet cleaning pro in your area or a mold remediation specialist. If your subfloor is damaged, you may also want to consider outsourcing the job.

How to Save on Carpet Repair Costs

Fixing your carpet on a budget? No problem. Here are some ways to keep cash in your pocket while you repair your carpet:

• Clean mildly damaged areas yourself: If you’re comfortable, rent a steam cleaner from a home improvement store or buy a carpet patch repair kit and do the work yourself.

• Move furniture by yourself: Save on labor costs by moving furniture to another room or the hallway. Make sure you have a buddy to help you, especially with heavy items.

• Get multiple quotes: As always, it’s a good idea to shop around when looking for carpet repair. You may be able to save hundreds simply by talking to multiple companies.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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