Cost to re-carpet the basement? and Recommendations?

[JEDI]

after a few tenants, I want to re-do the carpet now that the basement is empty.

it's 20' x 12' plus a dozen steps from 1st floor to basement.

How to find a decent carpet company in Northern VA?
and what type of carpet/padding should I get? (I will probably rent out the basement again)

 

[Greenman]

Pic the quality you want and do it. $30 to $40 a yard seems to be the price point for good quality carpet and pad installed. I've never run across an unacceptable carpet instillation, so I don't think I'd worry to much about it.
Looks like you'd be in for around a thousand bucks.

 

[richardycc]

don't get carpet for a rental, it's yucky. but if you must, home depot or lowes, they run special install like $37 for whole home install. Stairs are usually extra, $8-12 each step.

 

[JEDI]

don't get carpet for a rental, it's yucky. but if you must, home depot or lowes, they run special install like $37 for whole home install. Stairs are usually extra, $8-12 each step.

why are steps so much extra?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

why are steps so much extra?

Much more labor intensive.

Greenman's estimate is pretty accurate for the size you quoted, IMO. We did our entire upstairs plus stairs and landing and it was around $5500 (1000-1200 sq ft of carpeted floor, IIRC). It will depend on number of stairs, quality of carpet, etc. but I think $1000-$1500 is about right.

 

[DrPizza]

A rental? I'd think the in-stock rolls of carpet at Home Depot or Lowes would be of sufficient quality; and middle of the road pad, for about $2.50 per square foot. A new box of carpet tack strips is $20, and an old-fashioned knee kicker; economy quality is about $20. If it's just a rectangular 12x20 room, it would probably be a piece of cake to install. Oh, and a good, sharp carpet knife. Unless there's seaming to do, or corners to go around, or posts in the middle of the room, etc., it's pretty hard to screw up carpeting.

 

[boomerang]

it's pretty hard to screw up carpeting.

I had some Berber carpeting redone four times. It had a zigzag weave to it and in order to seam it, they had to cut it on the zigzag and piece it together. The problem they were running into was that the zigzag varied along the length of the seam. The peaks and valleys, for lack of better terms, were not evenly spaced throughout the length so they could not get it to seam together without having a mismatch. It would start out fine but get progressively worse along the length.

The installers told the owner of the local carpet store the first time around about the issue. She ordered a replacement roll. They had the same issue on the second install. She came out to look and brought along the rep from the manufacturer. They ordered a third roll. When that didn't work out I told her I'd get a different Berber that came in a roll wider than the room so that no seaming would be required. She was all excited in a negative way about the waste but I asked her how many times do you want to keep doing this over and over? I had a new house I wanted to get moved into and the carpeting is pretty much the last step.

This was a long time ago though.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Remember those old commercials? "1-800-588-2300 Empire!"
http://www.empiretoday.com/

But yeah...I'd check Lowes, HD, etc...or call around the local guys. Installing carpet isn't a big deal. You probably will only have 2 seams in that room. Just make sure you price the carpet out...$1.50-3.00 sq/ft is what you'll probably pay, but be aware you can get carpet for less if you shop around.

Also, Lowes is offering 18 month financing right now as a promotion for over $299 on the Lowes card. They do this a few times a year.

 

[DrPizza]

This was a long time ago though.

Note: I did point out that "unless there is seaming..."

Once you have to do seams, and go around corners, then it's a your mileage may vary type thing.

 

[boomerang]

Note: I did point out that "unless there is seaming..."

Once you have to do seams, and go around corners, then it's a your mileage may vary type thing.

Yup, I was just relating a story.

 

[cabri]

Remember those old commercials? "1-800-588-2300 Empire!"
http://www.empiretoday.com/

But yeah...I'd check Lowes, HD, etc...or call around the local guys. Installing carpet isn't a big deal. You probably will only have 2 seams in that room. Just make sure you price the carpet out...$1.50-3.00 sq/ft is what you'll probably pay, but be aware you can get carpet for less if you shop around.

Also, Lowes is offering 18 month financing right now as a promotion for over $299 on the Lowes card. They do this a few times a year.

Daughter did some research on Empire - not pleased with the results.

Called a GC that we had used previously and got a good recommendation.
Family is pleased with the carpet put in and also tile laid in kitchen and dining room. Able to sit/sleep on the carpet without feeling stiffness from the floor - quality padding FTW

 

[DrPizza]

Remember those old commercials? "1-800-588-2300 Empire!"
http://www.empiretoday.com/

But yeah...I'd check Lowes, HD, etc...or call around the local guys. Installing carpet isn't a big deal. You probably will only have 2 seams in that room. Just make sure you price the carpet out...$1.50-3.00 sq/ft is what you'll probably pay, but be aware you can get carpet for less if you shop around.

Also, Lowes is offering 18 month financing right now as a promotion for over $299 on the Lowes card. They do this a few times a year.

If the room is rectangular, 20x12, he could do it with a single piece; no seems.
I was just out installing carpet in the garage. I had completely forgotten how much it sucks to keep smashing your knee into the kicker.

 

[Greenman]

If the room is rectangular, 20x12, he could do it with a single piece; no seems.
I was just out installing carpet in the garage. I had completely forgotten how much it sucks to keep smashing your knee into the kicker.

Rent a power stretcher, knee kicker will cripple you.