Key Takeaways
| Stair Type | Cost per Step | 13-Step Total |
|---|---|---|
| Straight stairs, budget carpet | $10–$15 | $130–$195 |
| Straight stairs, mid-grade | $15–$20 | $195–$260 |
| Straight stairs, premium | $20–$25 | $260–$325 |
| L-shaped or winder stairs | Add 20–30% | $156–$422 |
| Curved or spiral stairs | Add 40–60% | $182–$520 |
Additional costs: Runners with exposed wood edges ($12–$30/step), nosing/edging ($5–$10/step), old carpet removal ($3–$7/step).
Why Stairs Cost More per Square Foot
Stairs cost $10 to $25 per step, which translates to roughly $3 to $5 per square foot when you account for risers and treads. That’s double the rate for flat floors.
Each step requires individual cutting, wrapping, tucking, and securing. The installer cuts the carpet to fit the tread, wraps it over the nosing, tucks it into the crotch between tread and riser, then stretches and staples it in place. Multiply that by 13 steps and the labor hours stack up.
Seams on stairs show more than seams on floors. A bad stair seam catches your eye every time you walk up or down. Installers take extra time to match patterns and hide joints.
Stairs flex underfoot. The carpet needs to be stretched tighter than on a flat floor to prevent buckling. That requires more precise work and better materials.
For a full overview of stair carpet installation, see our stair carpet service page.
Cost Breakdown: Material vs. Labor
Material for stairs runs $3 to $8 per step depending on carpet grade. A builder-grade polyester costs $3 to $4 per step. Mid-grade nylon costs $5 to $6 per step. Wool or high-end nylon costs $7 to $10 per step.
Labor runs $7 to $17 per step depending on stair complexity. Straight stairs with no turns sit at the low end. L-shaped stairs with landings or winders add 20% to 30% to the labor rate. Curved or spiral stairs add 40% to 60%.
Padding for stairs is denser than padding for floors. Standard 6-pound foam won’t hold up. Installers use 8-pound or higher density padding, which costs $1 to $2 per step.
A 13-step straight staircase with mid-grade nylon and standard padding costs roughly $195 to $260 installed. That assumes no old carpet removal and no fancy edging.
Straight Stairs vs. Complex Stairs
Straight stairs run from one floor to another without turns. They’re the simplest to carpet and cost the least per step. Expect $10 to $20 per step for straight stairs with standard carpet.
L-shaped stairs include a 90-degree turn, usually at a landing or with winder steps. Winders are triangular steps that turn the corner. Cutting carpet for winders requires precision—each step is a different shape. Add 20% to 30% to the base per-step rate.
U-shaped stairs include a 180-degree turn with a landing. The labor is similar to L-shaped stairs because the landing itself is flat and easy to carpet. The extra steps add to the total, but the per-step rate stays in the L-shaped range.
Curved or spiral stairs have no straight edges. Each step is a wedge. Seaming and tucking curved steps takes twice as long as straight steps. Add 40% to 60% to the base per-step rate.
Floating stairs—where you can see under the treads—aren’t candidates for carpet. You’d carpet the tread tops only, which looks unfinished and peels up quickly.
Carpet Runners vs. Full Coverage
Full coverage means the carpet runs wall-to-wall on each step. It’s the standard approach and the pricing above reflects it.
Runners leave the edges of the stair treads exposed. The carpet runs down the center, typically 24 to 36 inches wide. Wood or painted edges show on both sides.
Runners cost more per step because they require custom cutting and hardware. Stair rods or clips hold the runner in place. Hardware costs $5 to $15 per step depending on finish—brass costs more than steel.
A runner installation costs $12 to $30 per step including hardware. For 13 steps, that’s $156 to $390. The higher cost comes from the extra labor and hardware, not from material savings. Runners use less carpet, but the cutting and securing process takes longer.
Runners work well on hardwood stairs where you want to show the wood. They’re less practical on painted or particle-board stairs where the edges don’t look good exposed.
Padding and Underlay for Stairs
Stairs need denser padding than flat floors. Standard 6-pound foam compresses under foot traffic and wears out within two years. Installers use 8-pound or 10-pound padding for stairs, which costs $1 to $2 per step.
Some installers skip padding on stairs to save money. This is a mistake. Padding cushions each footfall, reduces noise, and extends carpet life. Without it, the carpet wears through faster at the nosing—the part of the tread that wraps over the edge.
Rubber padding works better than foam on stairs because it doesn’t compress as much. Memory foam padding is overkill for stairs—it’s thick and spongy, which creates a tripping hazard.
Padding should stop at the back of the tread. If it wraps over the nosing, it creates a bulge that shows through the carpet. Installers tack the padding to the tread, cut it flush with the nosing, then lay the carpet over it.
Add-On Costs for Stair Carpeting
Old carpet removal costs $3 to $7 per step depending on how it’s secured. Tack-stripped carpet pulls up easily—expect the low end. Stapled or glued carpet takes time—expect the high end. For 13 steps, removal costs $39 to $91.
Nosing repair or replacement costs $5 to $15 per step if the wood is damaged. Installers fill cracks, sand rough edges, and secure loose nosings before carpeting. Skipping this step creates lumps and creaks under the new carpet.
Stair rods or decorative hardware cost $5 to $15 per step. Brass or bronze rods cost more than steel. The rods screw into the riser just below the nosing. They hold the runner in place and add a finished look.
Painting or staining exposed stair edges costs $10 to $20 per step if you’re installing a runner. This is usually a separate contractor unless your installer offers finishing services.
Transitions at the top and bottom of the stairs cost $15 to $40 each. Metal or wood transitions bridge the gap between carpet and tile, hardwood, or vinyl. Budget $30 to $80 for both ends.
Pricing Examples for Common Stair Scenarios
Scenario 1: Budget straight staircase
- 13 steps, polyester carpet at $10/step: $130
- 8-lb padding at $1/step: $13
- Old carpet removal at $3/step: $39
- Transitions (2): $30
- Total: $212
Scenario 2: Mid-grade L-shaped staircase
- 15 steps (including winders), nylon carpet at $18/step: $270
- 10-lb padding at $1.50/step: $22.50
- Old carpet removal at $5/step: $75
- Nosing repair (3 steps): $30
- Transitions (2): $40
- Total: $437.50
Scenario 3: Premium curved staircase with runner
- 13 steps, wool runner at $28/step: $364
- Dense rubber padding at $2/step: $26
- Brass stair rods at $12/step: $156
- Old carpet removal at $7/step: $91
- Wood staining (both edges, 13 steps): $260
- Transitions (2): $60
- Total: $957
These numbers assume standard residential stairs. Commercial or public stairs with heavy traffic require denser carpet and stronger padding, which increases costs by 20% to 40%.
How to Get an Accurate Stair Quote
Count your steps. Include the top landing if you’re carpeting it. A standard staircase has 13 to 15 steps.
Note stair shape. Straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, or curved. Take a photo from the bottom and top to show the installer.
Measure tread depth and riser height. Tread depth is the horizontal part you step on. Riser height is the vertical part. Standard treads are 10 to 11 inches deep. Standard risers are 7 to 8 inches high. Installers need these measurements to calculate material.
Ask if the quote includes padding and removal. Some quotes bundle everything. Others charge separately for padding, removal, and transitions.
Check if the installer power-stretches stairs. Knee-kicking alone won’t hold carpet tight on stairs. The carpet will buckle within months.
For more on what’s included in professional installation, see our carpet installation service page.
When to Upgrade Stair Carpet
High-traffic stairs need denser carpet. If your stairs connect the main floor to upstairs bedrooms, they’re in use dozens of times per day. Upgrading from polyester to nylon adds $5 to $10 per step but extends life from 5 years to 10 years.
Homes with kids or pets benefit from stain-resistant carpet. Spills and accidents happen on stairs. Treated carpet cleans easier and holds up better. The $1 to $2 per step upcharge is worth it.
Noise reduction matters in multi-story homes. Thick padding and dense carpet muffle footsteps. Upgrading padding from 8-pound to 10-pound foam or switching to rubber padding costs $0.50 to $1 per step and makes a noticeable difference.
Stairs are visible. Unlike a bedroom floor, stairs are on display every day. Skimping on material shows. Mid-grade nylon with good padding looks better and lasts longer than budget polyester.
If you’re carpeting the upstairs hallway too, coordinate materials. Using the same carpet on stairs and hallway creates a cohesive look and reduces seam visibility.
For hallway pricing, see our hallway carpet installation page.
Common Stair Carpet Mistakes
Using flat-floor padding on stairs. Stairs need denser padding or the carpet compresses and wears through at the nosing within two years.
Skipping power stretching. Knee-kicking doesn’t stretch carpet tight enough. Stairs that aren’t power-stretched develop buckles and ripples.
Cutting runners too narrow. A 24-inch runner on a 36-inch stair looks thin and cheap. The runner should cover at least two-thirds of the tread width.
Not securing the nosing. If the wood nosing is loose, it will creak under the carpet. Installers should screw or glue down loose nosings before carpeting.
Using low-quality stair rods. Steel rods rust in humid basements. Brass or bronze rods cost more but last decades.
Ignoring seam placement. Seams should fall at the back of the tread where they’re less visible. Seams in the middle of a tread or on the nosing show every time you walk up the stairs.
FAQ
How much does it cost to carpet a 13-step staircase in Ottawa? $130 to $325 depending on carpet grade and stair complexity. Budget installs start at $130. Premium installs with dense nylon or wool run $260 to $325.
Is it cheaper to install a runner or full carpet on stairs? No. Runners cost more because of the custom cutting and hardware required. Expect $12 to $30 per step for runners vs. $10 to $20 per step for full coverage.
Do I need padding on stairs? Yes. Padding cushions footfalls, reduces noise, and extends carpet life. Use 8-pound or denser padding—never skip it.
How long does it take to carpet stairs? Four to eight hours for a straight 13-step staircase. L-shaped or curved stairs take longer.
Can I carpet stairs myself? Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. Stairs require tight stretching and precise cuts. A DIY job usually ripples or peels within months.
What’s the best carpet for high-traffic stairs? Dense nylon with a low pile height. It resists wear and holds up to daily use.
Do curved stairs cost more than straight stairs? Yes. Add 40% to 60% to the base per-step rate. Curved stairs require custom cuts for each wedge-shaped step.
How much does it cost to remove old carpet from stairs? $3 to $7 per step depending on how it’s secured. For a 13-step staircase, expect $39 to $91.
Can I use the same carpet on stairs and hallway? Yes, and it’s recommended. Using the same carpet creates a cohesive look and reduces visible seams.
How often should I replace stair carpet? Every 8 to 12 years for mid-grade nylon, sooner for budget polyester, later for wool. High-traffic stairs wear faster.