How much does carpet fitting cost in the UK?
Carpet fitting costs £15 to £40 in the UK, typically around £25 per m². What moves the price most is carpet grade and quality, so a simpler job sits near the bottom of that range and a larger or higher-spec one near the top. Prices reviewed June 2026.
Carpet is priced by the square metre supplied and fitted, with the underlay, grippers and any stairs adding to the labour. Fitting-only rates are lower if you supply the carpet.
Carpet fitting cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your carpet fitting in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Carpet fitting cost breakdown
Typical carpet fitting costs, by the unit:
| What | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Per m², supplied and fitted | £15 to £40 per m² |
| + Underlay and grippers | add £4 to £8 per m² |
| + Uplift and dispose of old carpet | add £2 to £5 per m² |
| + Stairs (per flight) | add £40 to £120 |
| 10 m² | £150 to £400 |
| 20 m² (typical) | £300 to £800 |
| 40 m² | £600 to £1,600 |
What's included in the price?
Typical carpet fitting prices include:
- Carpet, supplied and laid
- Underlay and gripper rods
- Trimming and finishing
- Doorway edging
What changes the price?
The things that move carpet fitting prices most:
Carpet grade and quality
Underlay type
Stairs, which are charged separately
Uplifting and disposing of the old carpet
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, carpet fitting typically costs around £35 per m², about 30% above the UK average of £25. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £25.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| London | £20 | £35 | £50 |
| South East / South West | £15 | £30 | £45 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £15 | £25 | £35 |
Guide prices per m², scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Carpet fitting cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £15 | £20 | £35 |
| Birmingham | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| Bristol | £15 | £30 | £45 |
| Cardiff | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| Edinburgh | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| Glasgow | £15 | £25 | £35 |
| Leeds | £15 | £25 | £35 |
| Liverpool | £15 | £25 | £35 |
| London | £20 | £35 | £50 |
| Manchester | £15 | £25 | £40 |
| Newcastle | £15 | £25 | £35 |
| Sheffield | £15 | £25 | £35 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for carpet fitting, not quotes.
Fairly consistent nationally, with London and the South East a little higher on labour.
Common questions
How much does carpet fitting cost?
Carpet fitting costs roughly £15 to £40 per m² supplied and fitted in the UK, typically around £25, so a 20 square metre lounge is about £300 to £800. Fitting-only labour, where you supply the carpet, is nearer £3 to £6 per m². Underlay and grippers add £4 to £8 per m², and stairs are charged separately at £40 to £120 a flight.
How much does it cost to carpet a 3-bed house?
Carpeting a typical 3-bed house, say the lounge, three bedrooms, stairs and landing, usually comes to £1,500 to £4,000 supplied and fitted, depending on the carpet grade. Budget carpet with standard underlay sits at the lower end; a wool or heavy-domestic carpet with good underlay reaches the top. Get the quote to separate the carpet, the underlay and the fitting.
How much does it cost to carpet stairs?
Carpeting a straight flight of about 13 to 14 stairs typically costs £40 to £120 in fitting on top of the carpet, because stairs are fiddly and slow compared with a flat room. Winding or turned staircases cost more. If you are carpeting the stairs and landing together, ask for them priced as one job.
Is it cheaper to fit carpet yourself?
Fitting a simple room yourself saves the £3 to £6 per m² labour, and for a small square room with no awkward edges it is doable with hired tools. The catch is stairs, doorways and stretching the carpet tight, which is where DIY jobs go wrong and look loose or rippled within weeks. For anything beyond one simple room, a fitter is usually worth it.
Does the price include underlay and gripper?
Not always, so check. Some quotes are carpet-only, with underlay (£4 to £8 per m²), gripper rods and door bars added separately. A good underlay makes a cheaper carpet feel better and last longer, so it is worth paying for rather than reusing old underlay. Ask for an itemised quote so you can compare like for like.
Does new carpet add value when selling a house?
Not really as an investment. At £15 to £40 per m² fitted, fresh carpet helps a room show well and can speed up a sale, but buyers rarely pay more than the cost of laying it. Treat it as presentation rather than added value. If carpets are tired and stained, replacing them before selling is worth it mainly for the first impression.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.