Key Takeaways
| Basement Size | Budget Install | Mid-Grade Install | Premium Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft | $2,000–$2,400 | $2,800–$3,600 | $4,000–$5,200 |
| 600 sq ft | $3,000–$3,600 | $4,200–$5,400 | $6,000–$7,800 |
| 800 sq ft | $4,000–$4,800 | $5,600–$7,200 | $8,000–$10,400 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $5,000–$6,000 | $7,000–$9,000 | $10,000–$13,000 |
Add-ons: Moisture barrier ($0.30–$0.60/sq ft), subfloor leveling ($1–$3/sq ft), old carpet removal ($0.50–$1.50/sq ft), dehumidifier rental ($40–$80/day).
Why Basements Cost More per Square Foot
Basements require moisture management that main-floor rooms don’t. Ottawa basements sit below grade. Groundwater seeps through concrete. Humidity rises from the foundation. Without a moisture barrier, carpet molds within months.
A moisture barrier adds $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot. For a 600-square-foot basement, that’s $180 to $360. This isn’t optional—it’s structural hygiene.
Concrete subfloors need more prep than wood subfloors. Installers grind down high spots, fill cracks, and seal porous surfaces. Prep work adds $1 to $3 per square foot depending on condition.
Basements often have support posts, utility rooms, and awkward corners. More cuts mean more seams and more labor. A rectangular main-floor bedroom takes less time to carpet than a basement with the same square footage.
For more on basement-specific installation requirements, see our basement carpet installation page.
Material Costs for Basement Carpet
Basement carpet runs $2 to $8 per square foot depending on fiber and density. Polyester costs $2 to $3 per square foot. It’s soft but mats down quickly in high-traffic areas like basement family rooms.
Nylon costs $3 to $6 per square foot. It resists moisture better than polyester and holds up longer. For basements that see daily use, nylon is worth the extra dollar per square foot.
Berber carpet—looped pile instead of cut pile—costs $3 to $5 per square foot and works well in basements. The tight loops resist dirt and moisture. Spills sit on the surface instead of soaking in.
Carpet tiles cost $2 to $6 per square foot and are popular in basements because damaged tiles can be replaced individually. If a section floods or stains, you swap out tiles instead of replacing the entire floor.
Avoid wool in basements. Wool absorbs moisture and takes days to dry. In a humid Ottawa basement, that’s a mold risk.
Labor Costs for Basement Carpet
Labor runs $1.50 to $4 per square foot depending on job complexity. A simple rectangular basement with no posts or partitions sits at the low end. A basement with multiple rooms, utility areas, and columns pushes toward the high end.
Installers charge more for concrete subfloors than wood subfloors. Tack strips need to be glued or shot with a powder-actuated nail gun. Both methods take longer than nailing into wood.
Seaming basement carpet costs more because the seams need to be sealed against moisture. Installers use heat tape and seam sealer to prevent water from wicking through the joints.
Stairs to the basement add $10 to $25 per step if you’re carpeting them. A standard 13-step staircase adds $130 to $325 to the total. For stair-specific pricing, see our stair carpet installation guide.
Moisture Barrier and Waterproofing
A moisture barrier is a plastic or rubber membrane installed between the concrete and the carpet pad. It blocks groundwater vapor from rising into the carpet.
Moisture barriers cost $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot installed. Plastic film barriers sit at the low end. Rubber or composite barriers sit at the high end. Both work—rubber lasts longer.
Some installers use moisture-resistant padding instead of a separate barrier. This padding has a built-in vapor barrier on the bottom. It costs $1 to $2 per square foot, which is more than standard padding but less than padding plus a separate barrier.
If your basement has a history of flooding, a moisture barrier won’t help. You need perimeter drainage, sump pump upgrades, and foundation sealing before carpeting. Carpet is the last step, not the first.
Test for moisture before installing carpet. Tape a 2-foot square of plastic to the concrete and leave it for 24 hours. If condensation forms underneath, the slab is too wet for carpet. You need to address the moisture source first.
Subfloor Prep and Leveling
Concrete basement floors are rarely level. Installers use a self-leveling compound to fill low spots and grind down high spots. This costs $1 to $3 per square foot depending on severity.
Cracks wider than 1/4 inch need filling. Installers use concrete patch or epoxy. Small cracks are cosmetic. Large cracks indicate foundation movement and should be inspected before carpeting.
Paint or sealer residue needs removal. If the previous owner painted the concrete, the installer grinds it off so the adhesive or tack strips bond properly. Grinding costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
Oil stains from old furnaces or water heaters need sealing. Oil prevents adhesive from bonding. Installers apply a stain-blocking primer before laying carpet. This adds $0.50 to $1 per square foot.
Efflorescence—white mineral deposits on concrete—indicates moisture problems. Installers can clean it off, but it will return if the underlying moisture issue isn’t fixed. Address the source before carpeting.
Basement Carpet Padding Options
Basement padding needs a moisture barrier on the bottom. Standard foam padding absorbs water and molds. Use moisture-resistant padding or rubber padding in basements.
Moisture-resistant foam padding costs $1 to $1.50 per square foot. It has a plastic or foil backing that blocks vapor. The foam itself compresses over time but holds up for 5 to 8 years.
Rubber padding costs $1.50 to $2 per square foot. It doesn’t compress as much as foam and resists moisture naturally. It’s the better option for basements that see daily use.
Carpet tiles don’t require separate padding. The backing is built into the tile. This simplifies installation and reduces total thickness, which helps in basements with low ceilings.
Avoid rebond padding in basements. It’s made from recycled foam scraps and absorbs moisture. It’s cheap but will stink and mold in a humid basement.
Add-On Costs for Basement Carpet
Old carpet removal costs $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. If the old carpet is glued down, expect the high end. If it’s tack-stripped, expect the low end. For a 600-square-foot basement, removal costs $300 to $900.
Furniture moving costs $100 to $300 depending on what’s in the basement. Moving a couch and TV stand costs less than moving a home gym, bar, and pool table.
Dehumidifier rental costs $40 to $80 per day if the basement is too humid to install carpet immediately. Installers won’t work in basements with relative humidity above 60%—the carpet will mold.
Mold remediation costs $500 to $2,000 depending on extent. If the old carpet molded, the subfloor likely has mold too. This needs professional cleaning before new carpet goes down.
Transitions and thresholds cost $15 to $40 per doorway. Basements often transition between carpet in the main area and tile or vinyl in utility rooms. Budget $30 to $120 depending on doorway count.
For a full breakdown of what installation includes, see our carpet installation service page.
Pricing Examples for Basement Projects
Scenario 1: Small 400 sq ft rec room, budget build
- 400 sq ft polyester carpet at $5/sq ft: $2,000
- Moisture barrier: $160
- Old carpet removal: $200
- Transitions (2 doorways): $40
- Total: $2,400
Scenario 2: Mid-size 600 sq ft family room, mid-grade
- 600 sq ft nylon carpet at $7/sq ft: $4,200
- Moisture-resistant padding: included
- Subfloor leveling (200 sq ft): $400
- Old carpet removal: $450
- Transitions (3 doorways): $75
- Total: $5,125
Scenario 3: Large 1,000 sq ft finished basement, premium
- 1,000 sq ft Berber nylon at $9/sq ft: $9,000
- Rubber padding upgrade: $500
- Subfloor sealing and leveling: $1,200
- Old carpet removal: $1,000
- Mold treatment (200 sq ft): $800
- Transitions (4 doorways): $120
- Basement stairs (13 steps): $260
- Total: $12,880
These numbers assume standard Ottawa basement conditions—some moisture, some unevenness, no active flooding.
When to Upgrade Basement Carpet
High-use basements justify better materials. If the basement is a daily-use family room, upgrading from polyester to nylon adds $1 to $3 per square foot but doubles the useful life.
Homes with kids or pets benefit from stain-resistant treatments. Basements are where spills happen. Treated carpet costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot more but cleans easier.
Moisture-prone basements need rubber padding. If your basement smells musty or has a history of dampness, the $0.50 per square foot upgrade to rubber padding prevents mold.
Low-ceiling basements benefit from thinner carpet. Plush high-pile carpet makes a 7-foot ceiling feel lower. Low-pile Berber or carpet tiles keep the space feeling open.
If you’re finishing the basement for resale, mid-grade carpet in neutral tones is enough. Buyers notice fresh carpet but won’t pay a premium for wool in a basement.
Common Basement Carpet Mistakes
Installing carpet over wet concrete. The carpet molds within weeks. Test for moisture first. If condensation forms under taped plastic, don’t carpet until you fix the moisture source.
Skipping the moisture barrier. Even dry basements have groundwater vapor. A $200 moisture barrier prevents a $3,000 mold cleanup.
Using standard foam padding. It absorbs water and compresses quickly. Use moisture-resistant foam or rubber padding in basements.
Ignoring subfloor prep. Uneven concrete shows through carpet. Lumps and dips feel wrong underfoot and wear the carpet unevenly.
Not sealing seams. Basement carpet seams need sealer to prevent moisture from wicking through. Unsealed seams peel apart within a year.
Carpeting around floor drains. Leave a 6-inch uncarpeted margin around drains. If the drain backs up, you want the water to flow to the drain, not soak into carpet.
For more on avoiding common mistakes, see our carpet repair service page for issues we fix regularly.
FAQ
How much does it cost to carpet a 600 sq ft basement in Ottawa? $3,000 to $6,000 depending on carpet grade and subfloor condition. Budget installs start at $3,000. Premium installs with moisture barriers and dense nylon run $5,400 to $7,800.
Do I need a moisture barrier in an Ottawa basement? Yes. Ottawa basements sit below grade and groundwater vapor rises through concrete. A moisture barrier costs $180 to $360 for 600 sq ft and prevents mold.
What’s the best carpet for a basement? Nylon Berber or carpet tiles. Both resist moisture, clean easily, and hold up to traffic. Avoid polyester and wool.
Can I install carpet in a basement that floods occasionally? No. Fix the flooding first. Perimeter drainage, sump pumps, and foundation sealing come before carpet. Carpet in a flood-prone basement molds.
How much does it cost to remove old basement carpet? $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. For 600 sq ft, expect $300 to $900 depending on whether the carpet is glued or tack-stripped.
Is carpet tile or roll carpet better for basements? Carpet tiles. They handle moisture better and damaged tiles can be replaced individually. Roll carpet is cheaper upfront but harder to repair.
Do I need thicker padding in a basement? No. Use moisture-resistant or rubber padding, but keep it medium density. Thick padding traps moisture and creates a spongy feel.
How long does basement carpet last? 8 to 12 years for nylon, 5 to 8 years for polyester, longer for Berber. High-traffic areas wear faster.
Can I carpet over basement floor tiles? Sometimes. If the tiles are level and well-bonded, yes. If they’re loose or uneven, remove them first. Installers charge $1 to $2 per square foot to remove tiles.
How do I know if my basement is too humid for carpet? Use a hygrometer. If relative humidity is above 60%, run a dehumidifier before installing carpet. Installers won’t work in overly humid conditions.