Key Takeaways
| Hallway Length | Width | Square Footage | Cost Range (Mid-Grade) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 feet | 3 feet | 30 sq ft | $300–$450 |
| 15 feet | 3 feet | 45 sq ft | $450–$675 |
| 20 feet | 4 feet | 80 sq ft | $640–$960 |
| 30 feet | 4 feet | 120 sq ft | $960–$1,440 |
Key factors: Hallway width determines seam count, carpet roll width (12 ft standard), pattern matching, transitions at each doorway ($15–$40 each).
Add-ons: Old carpet removal ($0.50–$1/sq ft), subfloor repair ($2–$4/sq ft), extra transitions for multi-doorway halls.
Why Hallways Cost More per Square Foot
Hallways cost $8 to $12 per square foot installed, which is higher than bedrooms or living rooms at the same carpet grade. The extra cost comes from narrow dimensions and seam complexity.
A 3-foot-wide hallway requires a 3-foot-wide piece of carpet cut from a 12-foot-wide roll. The remaining 9 feet is scrap. You’re paying for 12 feet but using 3 feet—that’s 75% waste.
Seam placement matters in hallways. If the hall is wider than the carpet roll, the installer needs to seam two pieces lengthwise. A seam running down the center of a hallway shows every time you walk on it. Installers try to place seams along one edge where they’re less visible.
Hallways connect multiple rooms, which means multiple doorways. Each doorway needs a transition strip. A hallway with four bedroom doors costs $60 to $160 just for transitions.
For more on hallway-specific installation challenges, see our hallway carpet installation page.
Material Costs for Hallway Carpet
Hallway carpet runs $3 to $8 per square foot depending on fiber and density. Polyester costs $3 to $4 per square foot. It’s soft but mats down quickly in high-traffic areas.
Nylon costs $4 to $6 per square foot. It’s the standard choice for hallways because it resists wear and holds up under foot traffic. Hallways see more steps per square foot than any other room.
Berber loop pile costs $4 to $6 per square foot and works well in hallways. The tight loops hide dirt and resist matting. Seams are less visible in Berber than in plush cut pile.
Carpet tiles cost $3 to $6 per square foot and are practical for hallways. Damaged tiles can be replaced individually. If one section wears out or stains, you swap out tiles instead of replacing the entire hall.
Patterned carpets cost $1 to $3 more per square foot than solids. Patterns require seam matching, which generates more waste in narrow hallways.
Labor Costs for Hallway Carpet
Labor runs $2 to $4 per square foot for hallways depending on width and seam complexity. A simple straight hallway sits at the low end. A hallway with turns, alcoves, or closets pushes toward the high end.
Installers charge more for narrow hallways because of waste. Cutting a 3-foot strip from a 12-foot roll takes the same time as cutting a 12-foot piece, but the material cost per square foot is higher.
Seaming hallways costs more than seaming large rooms. Hallway seams are visible and need precision. Installers use heat-activated tape or seaming irons and take time to align edges perfectly.
Transitions add labor. Each doorway along the hallway needs a metal or wood transition strip. Installing transitions costs $15 to $40 per doorway depending on material and fit.
Old carpet removal costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. For an 80-square-foot hallway, expect $40 to $80. Tack-stripped carpet pulls up quickly. Glued carpet takes longer.
Hallway Width and Seam Placement
Hallway width determines seam count. Standard carpet rolls are 12 feet wide. A hallway narrower than 12 feet can be done seamlessly if the installer runs the carpet lengthwise.
A 3-foot-wide hallway uses a 3-foot strip cut from a 12-foot roll. No seams needed, but waste is high. The installer charges for the full 12-foot width even though only 3 feet is used.
A 4-foot-wide hallway uses a 4-foot strip. Same waste issue—8 feet of scrap per linear foot of hallway.
A hallway wider than 12 feet—rare in Ottawa homes—requires two pieces seamed lengthwise. The seam should run along one edge, not down the center. Running it along the baseboard hides it better than running it down the middle.
L-shaped or T-shaped hallways require careful seam planning. Installers try to place seams at corners or transitions where they’re less visible.
Padding Options for Hallways
Hallway padding runs $0.50 to $2 per square foot depending on density. Basic foam padding costs $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot but compresses quickly under foot traffic.
Rubber padding costs $1 to $1.50 per square foot. It resists compression and lasts longer. For hallways that connect bedrooms to bathrooms, rubber padding is worth the upgrade.
Dense padding rated at 8 pounds per cubic foot or higher works best in hallways. Anything less compresses within a year or two.
Memory foam padding is overkill for hallways. It’s thick, spongy, and creates a tripping hazard in narrow spaces. Stick to rubber or high-density foam.
Some installers skip padding in hallways to save money. This is a mistake. Padding extends carpet life, reduces noise, and cushions footfalls. Without it, carpet wears through faster at doorways.
Add-On Costs for Hallway Carpet
Old carpet removal costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. For a 60-square-foot hallway, expect $30 to $60. Glued carpet or carpet over tile costs more to remove than tack-stripped carpet over plywood.
Transitions cost $15 to $40 per doorway. A hallway serving three bedrooms and one bathroom has four transitions. Budget $60 to $160.
Subfloor repair costs $2 to $4 per square foot if the plywood is damaged. Water stains near bathroom doors, dips from foot traffic, or warped boards need fixing before new carpet goes down.
Closet doors along hallways sometimes require extra trimming. Carpet adds 1/2 inch of height. If doors scrape the new carpet, installers trim the bottoms. This costs $10 to $20 per door.
Pattern matching adds $50 to $100 for patterned carpets. Aligning patterns in a narrow hallway requires precise cuts and generates extra waste.
For help with removing and replacing old hallway carpet, see our carpet replacement service page.
Pricing Examples for Hallway Projects
Scenario 1: Short 10-foot hallway, 3 feet wide, budget build
- 30 sq ft polyester carpet at $8/sq ft: $240
- Foam padding: included
- Old carpet removal: $20
- Transitions (2 doorways): $40
- Total: $300
Scenario 2: Standard 20-foot hallway, 4 feet wide, mid-grade
- 80 sq ft nylon carpet at $9/sq ft: $720
- Rubber padding: included
- Old carpet removal: $60
- Transitions (4 doorways): $100
- Subfloor repair (20 sq ft): $60
- Total: $940
Scenario 3: Long 30-foot hallway, 4 feet wide, premium Berber
- 120 sq ft Berber nylon at $10/sq ft: $1,200
- Dense rubber padding: included
- Old carpet removal: $100
- Transitions (5 doorways): $125
- Subfloor leveling (40 sq ft): $100
- Door trimming (2 doors): $30
- Total: $1,555
These numbers assume straight hallways with standard doorways. L-shaped or T-shaped halls add 10% to 20% to labor costs.
When to Upgrade Hallway Carpet
Hallways are high-traffic areas. Upgrading from polyester to nylon or Berber adds $1 to $3 per square foot but extends life from 5 years to 10 years.
Homes with kids or pets benefit from stain-resistant treatments. Hallways are where muddy shoes and spills happen. Treated carpet costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot more but cleans easier.
Hallways connect to bathrooms. Moisture from bathrooms can seep into hallway carpet. Using moisture-resistant padding costs $0.50 more per square foot but prevents mold and odor.
Noise reduction matters in hallways. Footsteps echo in narrow spaces. Dense padding and thick carpet muffle sound. Upgrading padding from 6-pound foam to 8-pound rubber costs $40 to $60 for a typical hallway.
If you’re carpeting connected bedrooms, use the same carpet in the hallway. Matching materials creates a cohesive look and eliminates visible seams at bedroom doorways.
For bedroom carpet pricing, see our bedroom carpet installation page.
How to Get an Accurate Hallway Quote
Measure the hallway. Multiply length by width to get square footage. Add 10% for waste—more if the hall is narrow and requires cutting from wide rolls.
Count doorways. Each doorway needs a transition strip. Budget $15 to $40 per door.
Note hallway shape. Straight halls are simpler than L-shaped or T-shaped halls. Take photos and share them with installers when requesting quotes.
Ask what’s included in the quote. Does it cover padding, old carpet removal, transitions, and subfloor prep? If the quote doesn’t specify, assume they’re extra.
Request itemized quotes from three installers. Compare material specs, padding density, and labor rates. The lowest bid isn’t always the best—check what’s included.
Use our carpet cost calculator to estimate your hallway project.
Seam Strategies for Wide Hallways
Wide hallways—6 feet or more—need seams if the carpet roll is 12 feet wide and the hallway runs longer than the roll length. Installers try to place seams perpendicular to traffic flow.
A seam running across the hallway is less visible than a seam running lengthwise. People walk over it instead of along it, which reduces wear at the seam.
If the hallway is wider than 12 feet, the seam should run along one edge near the baseboard. A center seam looks wrong and catches light from doorways.
Installers use power stretchers for hallways. Knee-kicking alone won’t stretch carpet tight in long narrow spaces. Unstretched carpet ripples within months.
Berber carpet hides seams better than plush cut pile. The looped texture makes seams less visible.
For more on professional seaming and stretching, see our carpet stretching service page.
Common Hallway Carpet Mistakes
Using cheap padding to save money. Hallways see more foot traffic than bedrooms. Skimping on padding shortens carpet life.
Placing seams down the center of the hallway. Center seams show every time you walk through. Place seams along edges where they’re less visible.
Not power-stretching. Long hallways need power stretching. Knee-kicking leaves ripples that develop into buckles.
Skipping subfloor repair. Dips and bumps in hallway floors show through carpet. Fix the subfloor before installing new carpet.
Using polyester in high-traffic hallways. Polyester mats down quickly. Use nylon or Berber for hallways that connect bedrooms to bathrooms or stairs.
Not matching hallway carpet to adjacent rooms. Using different carpet in the hallway and bedrooms creates visible transitions at every doorway.
FAQ
How much does it cost to carpet a hallway in Ottawa? $300 to $1,200 depending on length, width, and carpet grade. A 10-foot hallway costs $300 to $450. A 30-foot hallway costs $960 to $1,440.
Why does hallway carpet cost more per square foot? Waste. A 3-foot-wide hallway uses a 3-foot strip cut from a 12-foot roll. The remaining 9 feet is scrap. You pay for the full width.
Can I use the same carpet in the hallway and bedrooms? Yes, and it’s recommended. Matching carpet creates a cohesive look and reduces visible seams at doorways.
How long does it take to install carpet in a hallway? One to three hours depending on length and complexity. A straight 15-foot hallway takes one to two hours. An L-shaped hallway with multiple doorways takes three hours.
Do I need padding in a hallway? Yes. Padding extends carpet life, reduces noise, and cushions footfalls. Use 8-pound or denser rubber padding for hallways.
What’s the best carpet for a high-traffic hallway? Nylon or Berber with dense padding. Both resist wear and hold up to daily use. Expect to pay $8 to $10 per square foot installed.
How much does it cost to remove old hallway carpet? $0.50 to $1 per square foot. For a 60 sq ft hallway, expect $30 to $60.
Can I install a carpet runner in a hallway instead of wall-to-wall? Yes, but it costs about the same. Runners require custom cutting and hardware. You’re paying for labor even if you use less material.
How do I minimize seams in a wide hallway? Use a 12-foot roll and place seams along one edge near the baseboard. Avoid center seams.
Should hallway carpet match stair carpet? Yes, if the hallway connects to stairs. Using the same carpet creates a clean transition and hides seams.