Carpet Installation Cost in Calgary: 2026 Prices per Square Foot
Carpet installation in Calgary costs $3 to $8 per square foot installed with underpad. Wool and premium carpet are quoted separately once you choose the carpet. A 12 x 12 ft bedroom (144 square feet) comes to $432 to $1,152 at $3 to $8 per square foot, before stairs, old carpet removal and GST. Flooring Experts Calgary installs carpet, underpad and stair carpet across Calgary and nearby towns.
Key takeaways
- The fibre sets most of the price: polyester and olefin cost the least, wool the most.
- Stairs are priced per step, at $15 to $60 a step.
- Removing and disposing of old carpet adds $1 to $3 per square foot.
- Order 10% to 20% more carpet than the room measures, for seams and pattern matching.
- Alberta adds 5% GST and no provincial sales tax.
How much does carpet installation cost per square foot in Calgary?
The carpet you pick sets most of the price. Installed with labour and underpad, we charge:
| Tier | Common fibres | Installed per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | Polyester, olefin | $3 to $5 |
| Mid-range | Nylon, triexta | $6 to $8 |
| Premium | Wool, high-end nylon | Quoted separately |
Nylon and triexta hold up in hallways, family rooms and stairs. Polyester and olefin suit bedrooms, guest rooms and rentals.
What does the carpet itself cost?
Carpet material costs $2 to $12 or more per square foot, depending on the fibre:
- Polyester: $2 to $3 per square foot
- Olefin: $2 to $3.50 per square foot
- Nylon: $3 to $5 per square foot
- Triexta: $4 to $6 per square foot
- Wool: $6 to $12 or more per square foot
Our labour rate is $1.25 to $3.50 per square foot in open rooms and $4 to $6 for complex layouts with closets, angles and many corners. Underpad adds $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. In basements we use a pad with a built-in moisture barrier, which costs $1 to $1.60 per square foot.
How much does it cost to carpet stairs in Calgary?
Stair installation adds $15 to $60 per step on top of the carpet. A 13-step staircase comes to $195 to $780 for the stair work (13 × $15 to $60).
Each tread, riser and nosing is cut and fitted on its own, with the pile running down the stairs, and open-sided or pie-shaped stairs take longer. Our stair flooring page covers the options for carpet, vinyl and hardwood stairs.
What else adds to a carpet installation quote?
Removal, furniture, subfloor repairs and waste are the usual extras:
- Old carpet removal and disposal: $1 to $3 per square foot.
- Furniture moving: a $200 to $600 flat fee applies.
- Subfloor repairs: $1.75 to $4.70 per square foot where the plywood is damaged, loose or uneven.
- Extra carpet: rooms wider than the roll need a seam, and patterns need matching, which is where the 10% to 20% overage goes.
- GST: 5% on the total.
What should a carpet quote include?
A complete carpet quote lists every part of the job, so two quotes can be compared line by line:
- The carpet: brand, fibre and price per square foot
- The underpad: type and thickness
- Labour, including seams, tack strip and transitions to other floors
- Stairs, priced per step
- Removal and disposal of the old carpet and pad
- Furniture moving, if you need it
- GST
A low quote that leaves out removal, pad or stairs ends up at the same price once those lines are added. Ask where the seams will sit, too. A good installer plans them out of the main walkway and away from direct window light before cutting.
How much does it cost to carpet 1,000 square feet?
Carpeting 1,000 square feet in Calgary costs $3,000 to $8,000 installed with underpad (1,000 × $3 to $8). Wool and premium carpet are quoted separately. Removing the old carpet from the same area adds $1,000 to $3,000 (1,000 × $1 to $3), and stairs are priced separately.
Should you replace your carpet or switch to vinyl plank?
Replace carpet with carpet in bedrooms, basements over a dry slab, and rooms where you want warmth and quiet underfoot. Switch to vinyl plank in rooms that see water, pets or heavy traffic. Our guide to replacing carpet with vinyl plank in Calgary covers that cost and timeline, and the luxury vinyl flooring cost guide has prices to compare.
If your carpet is clean and sound but rippling, carpet stretching removes the waves for a fraction of the cost of new carpet.
Carpet installation cost questions
Does carpet installation include underpad?
Our quotes include new underpad with every replacement. Old pad is compressed and often stained, and carpet manufacturers set the cushion their warranty requires.
Is carpet a good choice for a Calgary basement?
Yes, over a dry, sound slab. We check the slab for moisture first and use synthetic carpet with a moisture-barrier pad. If the basement has a history of water, vinyl plank is the safer choice.
Is carpet outdated in 2026?
No. Carpet stays a common choice for bedrooms, basements and stairs because it is warm, quiet and soft underfoot. Hard flooring has taken over kitchens, entries and main living areas.
Flooring Experts Calgary installs and replaces carpet across Calgary, from single bedrooms to full basements and staircases. See our carpet installation and replacement service, or ask for a free written quote.