New carpet is one of those jobs that sounds simple until you start getting quotes. There is the carpet itself to buy, the underlay to source, old carpet to dispose of, grippers to lay, and then the actual fitting. Prices vary enormously depending on where you live, how awkward your rooms are, and whether you go to a retailer for a supply and fit deal or hire an independent fitter separately.
This guide cuts through the confusion with real numbers so you know what to budget before you pick up the phone.
Professional carpet fitting costs £3 to £6 per square metre in the UK. This is the labour charge only — the carpet and underlay are bought separately on top of this. For a typical double bedroom of around 12 square metres, expect to pay £36 to £72 just for fitting.
Carpet Fitting Costs at a Glance
These figures cover fitting labour only. The carpet and underlay costs are separate and covered in detail below.
| Room Type | Approximate Size | Fitting Cost (Labour Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom | 8 to 10 sq metres | £24 to £60 |
| Double bedroom | 12 to 16 sq metres | £36 to £96 |
| Living room | 18 to 25 sq metres | £54 to £150 |
| Stairs and landing | 10 to 16 sq metres | £80 to £200 |
| Full 3 bed house (all rooms) | 60 to 90 sq metres | £250 to £500 |
Stairs and landings cost more per square metre than flat rooms because fitting carpet on stairs is more time consuming. Each tread and riser requires individual cuts and securing. Curved stairs or unusual configurations push the cost higher still.
Carpet Cost vs Fitting Cost: What You Are Actually Paying For
This confuses a lot of people, so it is worth being clear about it. When you buy new carpet, you pay for three separate things:
- The carpet itself: priced per square metre, varies enormously by quality and fibre type
- The underlay: the cushioned layer that goes underneath, also priced per square metre
- The fitting: the labour charge to install everything correctly
Some retailers offer a supply and fit package that bundles all three together, which makes it harder to see what you are paying for each element. Buying the carpet and underlay separately and hiring an independent fitter is often cheaper — but it requires more organisation on your part.
The fitting charge is not optional. Even if you buy the best carpet in the world, poor installation ruins it. Carpet that is not stretched correctly buckles and wrinkles. Joins that are not properly blended are obvious. Edges that are not neatly trimmed look shoddy. A professional fitter typically charges £3 to £6 per square metre for labour, though complex rooms or stairs can push this higher.
What Affects the Fitting Price?
- Room shape. Square and rectangular rooms are quick to fit. Bay windows, alcoves, and awkward corners all add time. An L shaped room requires additional cuts and joins that a standard rectangular room does not.
- Furniture removal. Most fitters expect rooms to be cleared. If you need them to move furniture, expect to pay an extra £20 to £50 per room. Heavy items like wardrobes, pianos, and sofas take time and sometimes two people.
- Grippers and underlay. If the room has no existing grippers, new ones need to be laid around the perimeter. This adds £1 to £2 per square metre to the job. Many fitters quote fitting only and assume grippers and underlay are already in place — always ask what is included.
- Old carpet removal. Ripping up and disposing of old carpet costs £30 to £60 per room on top of the fitting charge. Alternatively, remove it yourself and save the money — it is a straightforward job.
- Stairs. Fitting carpet on a staircase is significantly more involved than flat rooms. Budget £80 to £200 for a standard straight flight depending on the number of stairs and whether you are using a runner or fitted carpet.
- Subfloor preparation. If the floor underneath is uneven, has loose boards, or has old adhesive that needs removing, the fitter will charge extra. Subfloor prep can add £50 to £200 to the job in a worst case.
Underlay Costs
Underlay is the layer between the floor and the carpet. It makes the carpet feel better underfoot, extends its life, improves thermal and acoustic insulation, and makes the room more comfortable. Skimping on underlay is a false economy — cheap underlay accelerates carpet wear and you will feel the difference every time you walk on it.
| Underlay Type | Cost per Square Metre | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (crumb rubber or thin foam) | £2 to £4 | Low traffic rooms, rental properties |
| Mid range (bonded foam or felt) | £4 to £8 | Most rooms in a family home |
| Premium (high tog felt or wool felt) | £8 to £12 | Lounges, master bedrooms, areas with heavy use |
For a living room of 20 square metres, the difference between budget and premium underlay is around £80 to £160. Given that it will be under your feet for the next 10 to 15 years, spending an extra £100 on better underlay is usually worth it. The exception is rental properties where a functional but not luxurious finish is the goal.
Regional Price Differences
Carpet fitting prices follow the same regional pattern as most trades in the UK. Labour is more expensive in London and the South East, with prices tapering off as you move north and into Scotland and Wales.
| Region | Fitting Cost per Sq Metre | Full House (60 sq m) Fitting |
|---|---|---|
| London | £5 to £8 | £300 to £480 |
| South East | £4 to £7 | £240 to £420 |
| Midlands | £3 to £6 | £180 to £360 |
| North of England | £3 to £5 | £180 to £300 |
| Scotland | £3 to £5 | £180 to £300 |
Materials (the carpet and underlay themselves) cost roughly the same across the UK since most is bought from national wholesale suppliers. The regional price difference is almost entirely in the labour element.
Carpet Costs Separately
To give you a complete picture, here is a rough guide to carpet prices per square metre by type. This is separate from the fitting charge above.
| Carpet Type | Cost per Square Metre |
|---|---|
| Budget polypropylene (loop or twist) | £5 to £10 |
| Mid range twist pile (polypropylene or nylon) | £10 to £20 |
| Good quality nylon or wool blend | £20 to £35 |
| Premium pure wool | £35 to £60+ |
For a bedroom renovation on a moderate budget, a decent mid range carpet at £12 to £15 per square metre combined with good underlay at £5 to £7 per square metre and professional fitting at £4 to £5 per square metre gives you a total installed cost of around £21 to £27 per square metre. For that double bedroom at 12 square metres, that is £250 to £320 all in.
How to Save Money on Carpet Fitting
- Get multiple quotes. Fitting prices vary widely between fitters. Getting three quotes for the same job is the single most effective way to ensure you are not being overcharged.
- Clear the rooms yourself. Do the furniture removal before the fitter arrives. It saves time on the day and avoids the additional charge.
- Remove the old carpet yourself. Ripping up and rolling old carpet is straightforward and saves £30 to £60 per room. You will need to dispose of it, but most local tips accept carpet.
- Buy carpet and underlay separately. Independent fitters often have relationships with wholesale suppliers and can tell you exactly where to source good carpet at trade prices. Or you can shop at a carpet warehouse rather than a high street retailer.
- Book multiple rooms together. Fitters prefer to work on several rooms in one visit rather than return trips. You may get a better price per square metre if you are doing the whole house at once.
- Avoid January and December. The quieter months for carpet fitters tend to be late summer and autumn. Booking off peak may save you 10% to 15%.
If you are planning broader renovation work, it is worth looking at our guide to new kitchen costs — another area where knowing what things should cost before you get quotes makes a significant difference. If you are considering redecorating throughout, our guide to UK renovation costs and fees covers other areas of the home.
Carpet fitting costs £3 to £6 per square metre for labour in the UK. Add carpet at £5 to £60 per square metre and underlay at £2 to £12 per square metre, and you have the full picture. For a typical 3 bedroom house, expect to spend £1,500 to £3,500 in total for carpet, underlay, and fitting across all rooms. Get at least three quotes, clear the rooms yourself, and consider separating the supply and fit to get better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does carpet fitting cost per square metre in the UK?
Professional carpet fitting costs £3 to £6 per square metre in the UK in 2026. This is the labour charge only and does not include the carpet itself or underlay. For a standard double bedroom of around 12 square metres, expect to pay £36 to £72 just for fitting.
Do carpet fitters charge for furniture removal?
Most carpet fitters expect the room to be clear when they arrive. Some will move light furniture as a courtesy, but expect to pay an additional £20 to £50 per room if you need heavy items moved. Beds, wardrobes, and large sofas all add time to the job. Clear the rooms yourself to avoid this charge.
How much does it cost to carpet a 3 bedroom house?
Carpeting a 3 bedroom house typically costs £1,500 to £3,500 in total, including carpet, underlay, and fitting. Budget carpet with basic underlay lands at the lower end. Mid range carpet with good underlay sits in the middle. The exact cost depends on room sizes, the quality of carpet chosen, and your location in the UK.
Is it cheaper to fit carpet yourself?
You can save £3 to £6 per square metre by fitting carpet yourself, but professional fitting is harder than it looks. Stretching the carpet correctly, cutting around door frames, and laying grippers neatly all take practice. Poor fitting causes the carpet to wrinkle over time. For most people the cost of professional fitting is worth paying.
Should I buy carpet from the fitter or separately?
Buying the carpet separately from the fitting is often cheaper. Independent fitters charge less for labour than retailers who offer supply and fit packages. You can source carpet from a wholesale supplier or carpet warehouse and hire an independent fitter. Always have the fitter measure up before you order to avoid waste and costly mistakes.