Key Takeaways
- Budget install: $3,000–$4,500 (polyester, basic pad)
- Mid-grade install: $4,500–$6,500 (nylon, standard pad)
- Premium install: $6,500–$9,000+ (wool or high-end nylon, premium pad)
- Total square footage: 800–1,200 sq ft (3 bedrooms + hallway)
- Labor accounts for: 30–40% of total cost
- Add-ons: Removal ($400–$800), furniture moving ($150–$300), subfloor prep ($200–$600)
Typical 3-Bedroom House Layout
A standard 3-bedroom house in Ottawa includes three bedrooms, a hallway, and sometimes a landing or stair area. Total carpet area runs 800 to 1,200 square feet depending on room sizes.
A master bedroom measures 150 to 200 square feet. Two secondary bedrooms measure 120 to 150 square feet each. Hallways connecting the rooms add 100 to 200 square feet. If you’re carpeting a second-floor landing or stair area, add another 100 to 150 square feet.
This assumes you’re not carpeting the main floor living areas. Most Ottawa homes use hardwood, laminate, or tile downstairs and reserve carpet for upstairs bedrooms and hallways.
The layout matters because open-concept bedrooms with bay windows or angled closets require more cuts and seams. A boxy floor plan with rectangular rooms costs less to install.
Budget Install: $3,000 to $4,500
A budget install uses polyester carpet with foam padding. Material costs $2 to $3 per square foot. Labor costs $1.50 to $2 per square foot. Total installed price: $4 to $5 per square foot.
For 900 square feet, that’s $3,600 to $4,500. This gets the job done but won’t last a decade. Polyester mats down in high-traffic areas within three to five years. Foam padding compresses quickly and offers minimal insulation.
Budget installs work for rental properties, flip houses, or temporary solutions. You’re not investing for the long term—you’re covering floors cheaply.
Expect basic service. The installer measures, cuts, and tacks the carpet down. Furniture moving and old carpet removal usually cost extra. Seams might be visible if the installer doesn’t take time to match patterns.
For more on what to expect from a budget install, check our carpet installation service page.
Mid-Grade Install: $4,500 to $6,500
A mid-grade install uses nylon carpet with standard rubber padding. Material costs $3 to $5 per square foot. Labor costs $2 to $3 per square foot. Total installed price: $6 to $8 per square foot.
For 900 square feet, that’s $5,400 to $7,200. This is the sweet spot for most homeowners. Nylon resists wear, holds color, and bounces back underfoot. Standard rubber padding adds cushion and extends carpet life.
Mid-grade installs include power stretching, seam sealing, and proper trimming. The installer takes time to match patterns and hide seams. Furniture moving is often included, though you’ll still pay extra for removal and disposal of old carpet.
This tier balances cost and durability. You’ll get 8 to 12 years from the carpet if you vacuum regularly and address spills promptly.
If you’re replacing old carpet, see our carpet replacement service page for what’s involved.
Premium Install: $6,500 to $9,000+
A premium install uses high-end nylon or wool carpet with memory foam or dense rubber padding. Material costs $6 to $10 per square foot. Labor costs $2 to $4 per square foot. Total installed price: $9 to $12 per square foot.
For 900 square feet, that’s $8,100 to $10,800. Wool carpets start at $10 per square foot and climb past $15 for imported designs. The padding is thicker, denser, and rated for heavy traffic.
Premium installs include everything: old carpet removal, subfloor inspection and prep, furniture moving, custom seaming, and post-installation cleanup. The installer measures twice, cuts once, and guarantees the work.
This tier makes sense for long-term homeowners who want durability and comfort. Wool carpet lasts 15 to 20 years with proper care. It regulates temperature better than synthetic fibers and resists staining naturally.
If you’re planning to stay in the house a decade or more, the higher upfront cost spreads thin over the carpet’s life.
Variable Costs: What Changes the Price
Room size affects the quote. Larger rooms cost more in absolute dollars but less per square foot because there’s less waste. A 200-square-foot master bedroom uses material efficiently. A 100-square-foot bedroom generates more scrap per square foot.
Closets add labor. Walk-in closets require cuts around shelving and careful tucking. Each closet adds $50 to $150 depending on size and complexity.
Hallway width matters. Narrow hallways need more seams if the carpet roll is 12 feet wide and the hall is 3 feet wide. More seams mean more labor.
Subfloor condition changes the bill. If the plywood is warped, stained, or damaged, the installer needs to patch or replace sections. Subfloor prep costs $2 to $4 per square foot and can add $200 to $600 to a 3-bedroom job.
Furniture volume matters. A fully furnished house costs more to prep than an empty one. Moving beds, dressers, and nightstands takes time. Some installers include basic furniture shifts. Others charge $150 to $300 for a full 3-bedroom house.
Add-On Costs for a 3-Bedroom House
Old carpet removal costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. For 900 square feet, expect $450 to $900. If the old carpet is glued down or if there’s asbestos tile underneath, the high end applies.
Furniture moving costs $150 to $300 for three bedrooms. This includes moving beds, dressers, and nightstands to the center of the room so the installer can work. If you have heavy armoires or built-in units, expect the high end.
Subfloor cleaning or patching costs $200 to $600 depending on condition. Grinding down old adhesive, filling cracks, or replacing damaged plywood takes time. Installers charge hourly or by the square foot for this work.
Transitions and thresholds cost $15 to $40 per doorway. A 3-bedroom house has six to eight doorways depending on layout. Budget $120 to $320 for transitions.
Stair carpeting costs extra. If you’re carpeting stairs to the second floor, add $10 to $25 per step. A standard 13-step staircase costs $130 to $325. For more on stair pricing, see our stair carpet installation guide.
Sample Quotes for 3-Bedroom Houses
Scenario 1: Budget rental unit
- 850 sq ft polyester carpet at $4.50/sq ft: $3,825
- Old carpet removal: $425
- Basic furniture moving: $150
- Total: $4,400
Scenario 2: Mid-grade family home
- 950 sq ft nylon carpet at $7/sq ft: $6,650
- Old carpet removal: $570
- Furniture moving: $200
- Subfloor cleaning: $300
- Transitions (7 doorways): $175
- Total: $7,895
Scenario 3: Premium custom home
- 1,100 sq ft wool carpet at $11/sq ft: $12,100
- Premium padding upgrade: included
- Old carpet removal: $660
- Furniture moving: $300
- Subfloor prep and leveling: $500
- Transitions (8 doorways): $240
- Total: $13,800
These numbers assume rectangular rooms with standard closets. Angled walls, bay windows, or complex layouts push costs up by 10% to 20%.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
Measure each bedroom and hallway. Length times width gives you square footage. Add up all the rooms you’re carpeting. Add 10% for waste.
Request itemized quotes from at least three installers. You want material, labor, padding, and add-ons broken out separately. A single lump sum hides where your money goes.
Ask what’s included. Does the quote cover furniture moving? Old carpet removal? Transitions? If it’s silent on those items, assume they’re extra.
Check references and photos. A low quote from an installer with no track record is a gamble. Ask to see recent work or contact past clients.
Visit showrooms with samples. Carpet looks different under your lighting. Borrow samples, take them home, and test them in each bedroom before committing.
For help estimating your total project cost, use our carpet cost calculator.
When to Upgrade vs. When to Save
High-traffic areas justify better carpet. Hallways connecting bedrooms take abuse. Upgrading to dense nylon in the hallway and using mid-grade polyester in bedrooms saves money without sacrificing durability where it matters.
If you have kids or pets, stain-resistant carpet is worth the $0.50 to $1 per square foot upcharge. Accidents happen. Treated carpet cleans easier and holds up better.
If you’re selling the house within two years, mid-grade carpet in neutral tones is enough. Buyers notice fresh carpet but won’t pay a premium for wool.
If you’re staying long-term, invest in better padding. Upgrading from foam to rubber or memory foam costs $1 to $1.50 per square foot but extends carpet life by years.
Bedrooms see less traffic than hallways. You can save money by using builder-grade carpet in guest bedrooms and upgrading the master and hallway.
For bedroom-specific advice, see our bedroom carpet installation page.
Timing and Seasonal Pricing
Installers are busiest in spring and fall. Demand drives prices up by 10% to 15% during peak months. Booking in winter or late summer can save money.
Some suppliers run promotions around holidays. Black Friday, Boxing Day, and end-of-season sales can knock 15% to 20% off material costs. Labor rates stay steady, but the material discount helps.
Installers offer discounts for scheduling flexibility. If you can give them a two-week window instead of a fixed date, they’ll slot you into their schedule when it’s convenient and pass savings along.
Multi-room projects get better rates. Installing three bedrooms at once costs less per square foot than installing one bedroom at a time over three months.
FAQ
How long does it take to install carpet in a 3-bedroom house? One to two days depending on prep work. An empty house with no old carpet to remove takes one day. A furnished house with removal and subfloor prep takes two days.
Can I install carpet in just two bedrooms and skip the hallway? Yes, but the transition between old and new carpet will show. It’s cleaner to carpet the entire upstairs at once.
Is it cheaper to install carpet in all three bedrooms at the same time? Yes. Bulk material orders reduce per-square-foot costs, and the installer saves travel time by doing the whole job at once.
Do I need to move furniture before the installer arrives? Most installers move basic furniture as part of the job. Heavy or fragile items should be moved beforehand or the installer will charge extra.
How much does it cost to carpet a 3-bedroom house with stairs? Add $130 to $325 for a 13-step staircase. Total cost: $3,500 to $9,500 depending on carpet grade.
What’s the cheapest way to carpet a 3-bedroom house in Ottawa? Polyester carpet with foam padding, no removal, no furniture moving. DIY the prep work. Expect $3,000 to $3,500.
Do I need underlay in every bedroom? Yes. Underlay protects the carpet, adds insulation, and improves comfort. Skipping it voids most carpet warranties.
Can I use different carpet in each bedroom? Yes, but it complicates installation and creates visible transitions in the hallway. It’s cleaner to use one carpet throughout.
How much does it cost to remove old carpet from a 3-bedroom house? $400 to $800 depending on square footage and whether the carpet is glued or tack-stripped.
Is it worth upgrading to premium carpet in bedrooms? If you’re staying long-term and want comfort, yes. If you’re flipping or renting, mid-grade is enough.