How Much Does It Cost to Carpet Stairs? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to carpet stairs is $400. Most homeowners spend between $300 and $650, with your total shaped by carpet fiber, padding thickness, and the number of steps you're covering.

Cost to Carpet Stairs Factors: What Affects the Price?

Stair carpeting costs break down into two main categories: materials and labor. Beyond those core expenses, a few additional factors can affect your final total depending on your staircase and project scope.

Number of Stairs

Carpeting stairs costs $14 to $36 per step, which runs $11 to $26 more than the cost of carpeting floors due to the extra cutting, tack strips, and shape configuration required. Most homes have between 13 to 16 steps per staircase, so your total will scale with staircase length. 

Here's a breakdown of the cost to carpet stairs by the number of steps:

Type of Carpet Material

The type of carpet material you choose is a key cost driver, with options ranging from $1 to $20 per square foot depending on whether you go with budget synthetics or premium natural fibers. Your decision should reflect both your budget and how the carpet will feel underfoot, since some materials are rougher while others are soft and cushioned. 

Here's how much you can expect to pay for carpeting based on your choice of material:

• Cotton: A great carpet option for your stairs at $2–$7 per square foot if you want minimal volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), though light colors show stains easily with kids, pets, or direct sunlight.

• Nylon: This $2–$5 per square foot material is a durable and budget-friendly option for families and pets, but it has a rougher texture and can create static electricity.

• Polyester: At $1–$3 per square foot, this is the most cost-friendly choice that improves the aesthetics of your stairway and won’t fade, but it's less durable and not ideal for high-traffic areas.

• Olefin: Costing $1–$3 per square foot, this durable synthetic material is stain, moisture, and UV-resistant, but it doesn't hold its shape as well and is prone to friction damage.

• Sisal: This high-end sustainable option costs $5–$15 per square foot and is ideal for people with asthma and allergies, but it has a rough texture, which makes it good for high-traffic areas but possibly a little uncomfortable.

• Wool: At $4–$20 per square foot, this premium eco-friendly material is soft, beautiful, and durable, but prone to fading, moisture damage, and static electricity.

How Much Does Carpeting Cost by Type of Stairs?

The type of staircase you have directly affects carpeting costs, since more complex shapes require additional cutting, fitting, and labor. Straight staircases are the most affordable to carpet, while spiral and curved designs demand more skilled work and drive costs higher. 

Here's what you can expect to pay based on the type of staircase you have:

• Straight: The easiest form of stairs to carpet at $150–$650 because there aren't any turns or odd angles to contend with when cutting carpet, depending on size and material choice.

• L-Shaped and U-Shaped: These slightly more complicated staircases cost $300–$1,000 to carpet because you have to install a landing where the stairs take a 90-degree or 180-degree turn.

• Spiral: The most challenging staircases to carpet at $700–$1,500 because you're working on a constant curve, tightly wound around a single pole. However, adding carpet may make them safer and easier to maneuver.

• Curved: These staircases cost $500–$1,250 to carpet and aren't as tight as spirals but still require higher-end pricing due to the tricky nature of cutting carpet for curves.

What Are the Additional Costs for Carpeting Stairs?

Beyond carpet and basic installation, several additional factors can increase your total project cost. Labor, disposal fees, spindle work, and staircase condition are all worth factoring into your budget before work begins.

Labor

Hiring a local carpet installer for stair carpeting costs $1 to $2 per square foot, meaning the majority of your total project cost comes from materials rather than labor. Even so, this is a tricky installation that's worth leaving to a professional to avoid loose edges, uneven treads, and premature wear. Get at least three quotes from local carpet installers to find the best deal for your project.

Cleaning and Disposal

If you're replacing existing stair carpet, disposing of the old material costs around $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot. Once your new carpet is installed, the cost to professionally clean carpets falls between $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot, which is worth budgeting for periodically to keep your stairs looking their best.

On top of the typical costs of installing carpet on staircases, there are other factors that could add to the cost of your project. Keep these potential expenses in mind when budgeting for this project.

Removing Old Carpet or Existing Coverings

Removing existing carpet before installing new stair carpet adds carpet removal costs of $1 to $5 per square foot to your budget. If your stairs are currently covered with laminate instead, removing laminate flooring costs $1 to $3 per square foot.

Landing Carpet Cost

Budget around $50 extra to cover the cost of carpeting a landing. A landing increases your staircase's total surface area, which adds to your material and labor costs. 

Spindles

Spindles—the vertical rods connecting the base of your stairway to the handrail—add complexity to carpet installation and cost $2 to $15 more per spindle. The added expense reflects the extra care required to fit and secure carpet cleanly around each rod.

Carpet Runner Installation Costs

Stair runners cost $0.50 to $1 extra per square foot due to the precise cutting required to fit the runner to your stairway's dimensions. A carpet runner covers only the center of each stair rather than the full surface, making it a practical option if you want a partial carpet look.

Custom Cuts

Uniquely shaped stairs that require custom cuts can double, triple, or even quadruple your total carpeting cost, depending on the number of cuts needed. If your staircase requires this level of precision work, choosing a lower-cost carpet material is the most effective way to keep the overall project affordable.

Staircase Conditions

Repairing stairs or railings runs $4.50 to $8 per square foot, while the cost to install a stair banister is $300 to $450. If your staircase needs repair or refinishing before carpet installation can begin, plan for those costs up front. 

Carpet Maintenance

Carpet cleaning costs $0.30 per square foot on average, making routine professional cleaning a worthwhile investment for heavily used staircases. Stairs are one of the highest-traffic areas in any home, which means carpeted stairs require consistent upkeep to stay clean and safe. Hiring a carpet cleaning professional a few times a year helps extend the life of your carpet and keeps it looking its best.

3 Ways to Save Money While Carpeting Stairs

If you're on a limited budget, there are a few simple ways you could save money on this project.

1. Remove existing carpet: Cut down on labor costs by ripping out your existing carpet before the pro arrives to install the new one. This is a DIY-friendly task that shouldn’t take very long.

2. Choose a less expensive material: Polyester or nylon are budget-friendly choices that won’t break the bank. Choosing a less expensive carpet material will drastically lower the overall cost of this project.

3. Carpet a smaller area: Instead of carpeting the entire surface area of the stairs, you can carpet the top of each stair (i.e., treads) or install a runner. Since you're only carpeting half the area, this will cut your material costs in half.

Why You Should Hire a Stair Carpeting Pro

Hiring a pro for stair carpet installation adds only $1 to $2 per square foot when you use carpet installation services near you, making DIY savings minimal for most homeowners. A smarter way to cut costs is to remove the existing carpet yourself before the pro arrives, saving $1 to $5 per square foot in removal costs. You can also save an additional $0.40 to $0.50 per square foot by handling disposal on your own.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a stair carpeting pro

Carpeting your stairs is a job best left to the pros. Here’s why:

• Professionals know how to securely carpet your stairs while preventing loose edges, wrinkles, and uneven installation.

• Experienced pros have the tools to carpet unique stair shapes, corners, and tight spaces.

• DIY installation can lead to uneven treads, premature wear, and stair damage.

• Reputable pros offer insurance and warranties for added peace of mind.

• Professionally installed stair carpet enhances your home’s appearance and resale value.

If you want to DIY stair carpet installation

To assist your pro, consider helping out with the following tasks:

• Remove furniture, rugs, and decor from the work area

• Vacuum and wipe down your stairs before your pro arrives

• Remove and dispose of the existing carpet yourself

• Paint or stain railings after the job is complete

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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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