First impressions are extremely important when selling a house. Even minor cosmetic flaws, like marked up walls or a poorly maintained lawn, can drive away potential buyers and lower your home’s potential sale price.
New carpet can make a great impression on home buyers. But the cost can be high, and other home improvements might be a better investment.
If you want advice that's tailored to your unique situation, speak directly with a real estate agent. An agent can provide a free, no-obligation estimate of what your house may be worth on the open market and what improvements, such as new carpet, could potentially increase its value.
Sell your home with Clever, save thousands on commission.
Clever vets agents based on performance from Berkshire Hathaway, Keller Williams, and hundreds of other top brokerages and negotiates lower insider rates on your behalf. When you work with Clever, you can sell for just 1.5%—roughly half the traditional fee.
What condition is your carpet in?
The condition of your carpet is important for determining whether it should be replaced. If there are no visible stains, wrinkles, or tears, then cleaning the carpet may be the most sensible decision. If the carpet is badly damaged, you may want to consider getting it replaced.
Professional cleaning vs. replacement
Not surprisingly, having your carpet professionally cleaned is cheaper than replacing it. While the cost for cleaning carpet depends on the cleaning method, type of carpet, and the total area being treated, generally you should expect to pay between $0.25 and $0.50 per square foot.[1]
In comparison, carpet installation costs $2 to $8 per square foot.[2] While a single room would cost around $40 to $90 to clean, new carpet installation in that room would be $200 to $900.
Does new carpet increase home value?
Carpet has a relatively low return on investment (ROI), especially compared to other types of flooring, like hardwood. You should only expect to get 25% to 40% of the amount back that you spend on new carpet.[3]
When to replace your carpet
Despite its low ROI, it may still make sense to replace your carpet before selling. For example, selling a house with bad carpet may scare buyers away, even if the house itself is otherwise in good condition. This is especially true if you’re trying to sell a house in a market where demand is low and buyers have more homes to choose from.
If your carpet suffers from any of the following conditions, your best option may be to replace it:
- Visible wear and tear: Carpet that has become wrinkled or has visible holes isn’t just unsightly, it can also create tripping hazards.
- Stubborn stains: Stains that can’t be removed with a deep clean can make a bad first impression on buyers, especially if they’re in highly visible areas.
- Lingering odors: A bad smell is likely to turn away many potential buyers who will worry about the cost and work involved with removing these odors.
- Outdated style: While not the most serious issue, carpet that looks like it belongs in another decade will make your house less appealing, especially in a slow market.
Consider other flooring options besides carpet
While carpet is generally cheaper than many other types of flooring, its low return on investment may not make it worthwhile. Buyers often prefer other flooring types, especially hardwood, and may plan on removing any carpeting anyway.
Other flooring options you may want to consider are hardwood, laminate, and vinyl. Each option has its pros and cons compared to carpet.
Pros and cons of hardwood, laminate, and vinyl
Hardwood
Pros
- Can have a significant positive effect on your home’s value
- Highly sought after by buyers for its look and durability
- Fairly easy to maintain and refinish
Cons
- Much more expensive than laminate or vinyl
- Prone to scratches and moisture damage
Laminate
Pros
- Generally the most affordable option of the three
- Can be installed without professional assistance
- More scratch resistant than other floor types
Cons
- Has a short lifespan without diligent maintenance
- Can be easily damaged by water
- Cannot be refinished
- Unlikely to add resale value to your home
Vinyl
Pros
- Price is lower than hardwood, comparable to laminate
- Easy to install and maintain
- Waterproof and resistant to stains
Cons
- Any damage requires the entire floor to be replaced
- Doesn’t tend to improve a home’s resale value
- Some vinyl surfaces are susceptible to UV damage
Replacing carpet only in high-traffic areas
Another solution is to only replace carpet in high-traffic areas where it has suffered from significant wear and tear. For example, you could replace carpet in a high-traffic hallway with hardwood, but keep the carpet in less-trafficked bedrooms.
Mixing floor types allows you to take advantage of the increased value that hardwood provides, while not having to invest a large amount of money replacing carpet throughout your entire house.
When is the best time to replace your carpet?
Late fall to early spring is your best bet to get a deal on replacing your carpet. Most people focus on home renovation projects during the summer, so manufacturers and carpet installers run promotions outside of that busy season. That being said, carpet prices don’t fluctuate too dramatically, so you won’t save that much by replacing your carpet in the winter instead of the summer.
You’ll also need to time your new carpet with your house sale and other home improvements. Carpet can usually be installed in just a day or two, but you’ll want it done after other major renovations to avoid damage to the carpet. If your home is being staged for sale, you’ll also need the carpet installed beforehand.
Get advice from a professional
You should talk to a real estate agent to decide whether you should get new carpet. An experienced real estate agent will know whether new carpet is likely to attract buyers in your area or if other home improvements may be a better investment.
With Clever, you can compare multiple real estate agents and get free, no-obligation consultations with them. By comparing agents, you’ll be able to choose the one who is right for your particular situation and get the best advice for improving your home’s appeal to buyers.
Sell your home with a top Clever agent, save thousands on commission.
Clever vets agents based on performance from Berkshire Hathaway, Keller Williams, and hundreds of other top brokerages and negotiates lower insider rates on your behalf. When you work with Clever, you can sell for just 1.5%—roughly half the traditional fee.
If you decide that replacing your carpet is a home upgrade worth doing, speak to multiple professionals to see how much it will cost. Consult with multiple flooring experts to get a fair quote—you’d be surprised how much quotes from different vendors can differ.