If you have stairs in your home, you know that safety is a huge issue.
Having a second or third floor is great but making sure the stairs are safe can be a hassle. This is especially true if they are wood and tend to be slippery.
If you have been considering making your stairs safer, carpeting them can be a great option.
Carpeted stairs are much safer and add a lot of grip. They also offer a softer cushion and can look fantastic.
If you are working on a budget, you probably want to know how much it would cost to carpet stairs. The truth is, it depends on a lot of different factors.
Key Takeaways
The cost of carpeting 13 stairs will vary depending on your needs and the brand you buy from. To work out the cost of carpeting 13 stairs, you’ll need to consider the following:
- How much you need (by square footage).
- How much labor and installation support you need.
- If your staircase is complex (and may cost more to carpet).
- What type of carpet you’d like to buy.
Calculating the Cost to Carpet 13 Stairs: Basic Idea
There are a few things you will need to take into consideration when carpeting stairs. These include:
- Stair square footage
- Labor cost
- Stair type
- Carpet type
Why Carpet Your Stairs?
The number one reason you will want to carpet your stairs is safety.
If you or your family are consistently going up and down the stairs, they can become a safety hazard. This is especially true if they are wood and have a sleek finish.
By carpeting the stairs, you can get a little bit of extra grip. This decreases the chance that someone will slip and fall down the stairs by accident.
There are many different colors and styles for your carpet and the stairs can act as an accent piece.
If you have been looking for a change for your home, carpeting your stairs is a great option.
Square Footage
The number one thing that will determine how much your carpeted stairs will cost is square footage.
You will want to figure out the square footage of your stairs before you do anything else. This can give you a number to work with as you start to budget.
To figure out the square footage, measure each section of one stair.
This includes the tread, which is the top horizontal part, and the riser, which is the vertical part. Measure both areas’ length and width.
Then, multiply the length and width together for each section. Add the two sections’ square footage together to get the measurement for each stair.
Then, simply multiply that number by 13. This will give you your square footage plus a little extra.
Labor
The other important consideration when carpeting stairs is the labor involved.
Most contractors will either charge a flat rate or use a base rate plus stair rate.
For the base rate, the contractor will charge somewhere between $75 and $150 depending on the area.
Then, they will charge a rate per stair. This is usually between $5 and $15 for each stair.
In general, labor will cost somewhere between $250 and $350 for 13 stairs. However, depending on the circumstances, it might be more.
Type of Stairs
The type of stairs you have will also determine the cost.
If you just have a straight staircase that goes all the way up, the contractor will charge you less.
If you have a landing or pie turns in your staircase, this will cost more.
Depending on what type of staircase you have, you may need more or fewer materials. Each type also carries its own set of labor requirements.
Generally, the more complicated a staircase is, the more it will cost to install carpet.
Type of Carpet
The type of carpet you buy will also play a major part in the cost of carpeting the stairs.
Carpeting can cost anywhere from $9 to $180 per square yard. This is why it is so important to know the square footage of your stairs.
If you are trying to match other carpeting in your home, it is best to get an exact match. However, if the rest of your home is hardwood, you can experiment a little with carpet types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I pay for carpet?
There are a lot of different varieties of carpeting. There is a wide range of prices you can pay for it.
Generally, if you want premium carpeting, you should expect to pay around $100 per square yard.
How often should you replace carpet?
You should replace carpet every six to seven years. However, this number depends on a few different factors.
If the carpet is not in a high-traffic area, it can generally last a lot longer. If it has holes or worn spots, it might be time to replace it.
Does mold grow under carpet?
Mold can easily grow under carpet. This is especially true if you live in a humid area with a lot of moisture in the air.
Mold is one of the main reasons you should replace carpet once it gets older.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about carpeting your stairs, it is important to manage your expectations. If you want the carpeting to last a long time, you will need to spend a little bit more.
By knowing what factors go into the carpet cost, you can be prepared and get the best possible results.
