While it’s possible to install carpet yourself, it’s best to hire a local carpet installer to ensure it’s done correctly and safely. Before installing carpet yourself, check whether the manufacturer’s warranty will remain intact. Many manufacturer’s warranties won’t cover the cost of materials under the warranty if it wasn’t installed by a pro. In addition, you should only install carpet yourself if you’re familiar with the tools required and if the installation is straightforward, not involving things such as floor vents or stairs. 

Keeping your new carpet clean is vital to extending its longevity. Vacuuming regularly—at least once a week—can help remove dirt, debris, and pet hair. Instead of waiting, treating stains as they appear helps keep your carpet fibers looking fresh. Remember to blot rather than rub, rubbing will only make the stain larger. 

It’s ideal to hire a professional carpet cleaning service to conduct a deep cleaning of your carpets a few times per year. The cost of professional carpet cleaning is $180 on average, which can help remove tough stains, draw out hidden dust and allergens, and eliminate odors. 

There are many different types of carpets for you to choose from. When choosing a carpet, it’s essential to consider the following:

• Fiber: Describes what your carpet is made of, such as polyester, wool, nylon, or acrylic. 

• Pile type: Explains how your carpet looks. Your carpet fibers can be looped, twisted, cut, or woven.

• Pile height: Describes the length of your carpet. You can choose a low, medium, or high pile.

• Density: Refers to how close yarn fibers are to each other. 

Carpets can last between five and 15 years. The longevity of your carpet is dependent on a few factors, including its type, cushion, fibers, and amount of foot traffic. The type of carpet you have paired with the material impacts its life span tremendously and the foot traffic it endures.

If your carpet is 20 years or older, replace it soon to avoid potential odors and overly-worn spots. You should consider replacing it sooner if it has stains, water damage, smelly odor, matting, or color loss.

The cost to install carpet is $1,780 on average for 330 square feet, the size of an average living room. This cost could range from $200 to $5,000, depending on the amount of carpet, material, and type of carpet. 

If you need 500 square feet of carpet, it’ll cost $1,500 to $5,500, while 1,000 square feet of carpet costs $3,000 to $11,000. Polyester is one of the more affordable options, ranging from $1 to $3 per square foot. Wool is a more luxurious option, ranging from $4 to $20 per square foot.