How much does carpet laying cost per m2? [2024]

Carpet is a great flooring choice – it’s relatively inexpensive, can be long-lasting and feels wonderful underfoot. It’s well suited to bedrooms, especially during those cold winters, and with the right type of weave and pile it can also hold its own in high-traffic areas.

But how much should you spend on a new carpet? And how much does carpet laying cost? We’ve collected everything you’ll need to know about the cost of carpet installation in this article, including:

• How much carpeting costs

• How much carpet laying costs

• How to choose the right carpet

• Carpet material options

• Carpet weaves and styles

• Questions to ask your carpet installer

How much does carpeting cost?

Carpeting can vary dramatically in price. Some ballpark prices for different materials are as follows: 

• Inexpensive polypropylene carpeting: can cost around $20 per square metre
• Dyed nylon carpeting: starts at about $40 per square metre
• Wool carpeting: starts at about $50-$60 per square metre
• A high-quality nylon/wool blend: can cost $125 to $150 per square metre
• Alpaca wool carpeting: can cost as much as $275 per square metre

Most carpet suppliers will have a full range for you to choose from. Whether you're on a tight or limitless budget, they will be happy to help you select the best carpet for your needs and budget. 

You can also use a flooring cost calculator to gain a ballpark estimate on the pricing of your next carpet project, based on its square meterage. 

How much does carpet laying cost?

In most cases, your carpet supplier will also install your carpet for you, meaning less work for you. After you've discussed carpet prices with them, they will come to your home and give you a free measure and quote. This helps them give you a more accurate quote and helps you decide which type of carpeting is best for your home.

Since carpet layers charge by the square metre and not by the hour, you should be able to get an exact quote from your installer. Per square metre rates will vary depending on the:

• Scope of the job
• Type of underlay 
• Carpet you choose 

If you’ve bought carpet and just need someone to install it, the cost of carpet installation in Australia is between $55 - $75 per square metre. This means that you could be paying: 

• Average bedroom (10 m2): $650
• Average Aussie home (190 m2 ): $12,000 

These prices will vary from state to state, but on average you can expect to pay the following amounts in different cities:

• Sydney: $35/hour or $45/m2 
• Melbourne: $20/hour or $35/m2 
• Brisbane: $25/hour or $25/m2 

It’s important to note that price you are quoted from your professional carpet installer will generally include installation and underlay, but often will not cover:

• Moving your furniture
• Removal and disposal of old carpet
• Floor preparation
• Installing borders
• Stairs are often quoted separately

For this reason, we recommend clarifying what’s included in your quote before you hire a carpet layer.

How to choose the right carpet

Whether you’re building, renovating or simply want to change your flooring, carpet adds function and flair. Modern carpets are incredibly low maintenance, requiring a thorough clean just once or twice a year. 

They’re available in a wide range of materials and colours to suit every budget and style. Many varieties are now eco-friendly and low-allergen, making carpet a safe choice for asthmatics or people with allergies.

There are also practical aspects to choosing your carpet. Things like stain resistance, durability and sound dampening. Some carpets stand up to wear and tear better than others and these might be better for areas that see a lot of use. 

With so many carpeting options available, picking the right one can easily become overwhelming. To make things easier, it can be useful to think about how your carpet will be used. For example, it can be best to avoid an off-white plush pile carpet in high-traffic areas or if you have small children whereas textured or patterned loop carpet with more durability won’t show signs of wear, even after some heavy use.

What are the different carpet material options?

There are so many different types of carpet available these days that we can get decision paralysis when we shop. Once you start your research, you’ll quickly see that every carpeting material comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Factors like cost, use and design may all come into play. 

Polypropylene

This is basically a plastic and it’s the cheapest synthetic carpet material that you’re likely to find. It’s great for high-traffic areas, particularly if you don’t want to spend too much on your flooring.

Nylon

Nylon is one of the most popular fibres for carpets in Australia right now, and for good reason. It’s tough and hard wearing, making it a great all-around option for your home. It’s able to take a lot of abuse from UV rays, pets and children.

Sisal

Sisal carpeting is a range of natural fibre carpets that are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, primarily for their green credentials and hard-wearing nature. 

You’re likely to come across a range of names when it comes to natural carpets. Though they’re often lumped under the name of sisal, there are distinct differences between them. 

Classic sisal 

Classic sisal is a durable carpeting material with muted blends and lots of designs but it can be coarse and doesn’t hold up well in wet areas.

Seagrass 

Seagrass comes as a green-coloured carpet and will age into a beautiful toasty brown. It’s the most budget-friendly natural option but it doesn’t have as many options for styling. It shouldn’t be used in any areas prone to moisture as mildew and mould will likely grow.

Coir

Coir is great for high-traffic areas. It’s incredibly tough and can even be bought in easy-to-install tiles. Its strength comes with more coarseness though, so it may not be suitable for bedrooms or those with sensitive feet. 

Jute 

Is the softest of all the natural fibres. It’s more commonly used in rugs and it can give your home a rustic feel. Jute does require some maintenance and it can be prone to shedding, so it may not be the best option for large spaces. 

Wool

Wool is one of the more expensive carpet options, but it does feel fantastic underfoot. On top of that, it’s durable and resistant to dirt and liquids, though it does need regular TLC to maintain its looks.

Blends

Many carpet manufacturers can give you the best of both worlds through a blend. Providing the luxury of wool and the durability of nylon. A good option for carpet blends is 80/20 wool/nylon for a durable and soft carpet underfoot.

What are the different carpet weaves and styles?

Thought every carpet was created the same? Think again, there are subtle though noticeable differences in the way carpets are made, specifically the way the yarn or fibre is woven. These are called the pile and there are three main varieties.

Cut pile

This style has an upright pile that is the result of the yarn being cut at the loop ends. Soft and easy to clean, cut pile carpets can have a range of styles depending on the angle that it has been cut. Thickness and length can all be customised to create a carpet that suits your home. 

Cut pile carpets tend to leave footprints and vacuum tracks a little easier than loop piles but this can be countered by getting a heavier twist on the fibres.

There is a range of cut pile styles that include

• Plush pile
• Saxony cut
• Textured cut
• Frieze cut
• Sculpted cut

Loop pile

Loop pile carpets are highly durable, easy to clean and resistant to stains, loop pile carpet is great for high-traffic areas. It’s generally not as soft as other piles though and can be a snagging hazard for pets and small children. 

Combination pile

Using the best of the two other styles, combination pile is often used more aesthetically to create patterns by putting cut and loop piles side by side.

Questions to ask your carpet installer

Take the time to ask your installer a few questions before you hire them. This will make sure they are right for your job. Questions include: 

• How long have you been operating?
• Are you insured?
• Do you have references I can follow up?
• Are you a member of an association?
• Are you able to provide a written itemised quote?
• How long will my job take?
• When can you start?

You should look to get at least three quotes from local carpet layers to get a sense of what market rates currently are for carpet laying.

Oddly shaped rooms and awkward areas will cost more to lay carpet onto, so aside from giving them the size of your room or rooms, let them know about any difficulties they may face. Also, tell them if you want them to remove your old carpet or move your furniture for you. The more details you give them, the more accurate your online quotes will be.