Carpet pricing has three parts: the carpet itself, the underlay and gripper beneath it, and the fitting. Material is sold per square metre and varies most by fibre. Underlay typically adds £4–£10/m², and gripper rods and door bars are small extras. Knowing each part stops a single headline price from hiding the real total.
Typical UK prices
| Grade / type | Material (per m²) | Fitting (per m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget polypropylene | £8 – £15 | £4 – £6 |
| Mid-range polyamide (nylon) | £15 – £28 | £5 – £7 |
| Wool-mix (80/20) | £20 – £35 | £5 – £8 |
| Premium wool | £35 – £60+ | £6 – £8 |
Remember: material and fitting are separate costs. A low material price with high fitting can total more than a mid-range product fitted simply.
What changes the price
- Fibre is the biggest factor — wool costs several times more than budget polypropylene.
- Stairs cost more to fit per square metre than open rooms because of the labour involved.
- Underlay quality affects both price and how long the carpet lasts.
- Removing and disposing of old carpet adds a small charge.
- Room shape — lots of doorways, bays or alcoves increases wastage and fitting time.
A worked example
For a 20m² living room in mid-range nylon at £22/m², the carpet is about £440. Add underlay at £6/m² (£120), gripper and bars (around £40), and fitting at £6/m² (£120). The total comes to roughly £720, or about £36/m² all-in. A wool-mix would push the same room past £900.
Estimate your project: Use the matching calculator to turn your room size into a materials estimate, then request a quote to get real local prices.