The most reliable carpet quote is a written, itemised price based on someone measuring the actual room and looking at the floor underneath. Online calculators and phone estimates are useful for a ballpark, but they cannot see roll widths, stair shapes, door clearances or a floor that needs preparing, and those are the things that move the final figure. Our site visits and quotes are free, and this guide explains what a good quote should list so you can compare like with like, whoever you ask.
Why a measured quote differs from a quick estimate
Carpet comes off rolls of a fixed width, commonly four or five metres, and you pay for the width the room forces you to use. A quick estimate based on floor area alone often misses this, and the gap shows up later as an extra charge or an unexpected seam.
Stairs are priced by their shape rather than by area. A straight closed flight is simple; winders, a half landing or open sides add time. An estimate that asks only for the number of steps is guessing.
The floor underneath is the other unknown. Uneven boards, old adhesive or damp concrete all need dealing with before a new carpet goes down, and only a look at the floor reveals it.
Line items a clear carpet quote should show
A quote you can trust separates the parts of the job, so you can see what you are paying for and compare it with another fitter.
- The carpet range and the quantity, including roll width
- Underlay type and quantity
- Gripper rods and door bars or thresholds
- Fitting labour, with stairs shown separately
- Uplift and disposal of the old floor, if wanted
- Any subfloor preparation needed
- Moving furniture, if included
Questions worth asking before you accept
Is the underlay included, and what is it? Underlay affects comfort, warmth and how long the carpet lasts, so a cheap one hidden inside a low headline price is a false saving.
Where will the seams go? In larger rooms a join may be unavoidable, and a good fitter will tell you where it falls and why, rather than leaving you to find it under the window.
Will doors need trimming? A thicker carpet and underlay can stop doors closing. It is better to know at quote stage than on fitting day.
Is the price fixed? Once the room has been measured and the floor checked, the written price should be the price, unless you change the specification.
How our quotes work
We visit, bring carpet swatches and sample boards, measure the room and check the floor. A visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Afterwards you receive a clear, written price with no obligation.
As a guide, our published price for carpet is from £18 per square metre. The written quote reflects the measured room, the range you choose, the underlay and anything the floor needs first. If you are pricing several rooms or mixing carpet with LVT, laminate or vinyl, we can cover the whole house in one visit.
Comparing two quotes fairly
Line the quotes up item by item rather than comparing the totals. Check the same carpet range, the same underlay and the same scope, including stairs, uplift and preparation.
Convert any square yard price to square metres before comparing; one square yard is about 0.836 square metres. If one quote is much lower, the difference is usually in the underlay, the preparation or what happens to the old carpet.
Want this priced for your own rooms?
We measure, check the subfloor and give you an itemised written quote - free, with no obligation, across South East London and Kent.
Frequently asked questions
Is a carpet quote free?
Ours is. The site visit and written quote are free and there is no obligation.
Can I get an accurate carpet quote over the phone?
You can get a rough idea, but an accurate price needs the room measured and the floor checked, because roll width, stairs and preparation all change the figure.
What should be included in a carpet quote?
The carpet and quantity, underlay, gripper and door bars, fitting labour with stairs listed separately, uplift and disposal if wanted, and any subfloor preparation.
How long does a quote visit take?
Usually 30 to 45 minutes, including samples, measuring and a look at the floor.
Why are two carpet quotes so different?
Usually because they include different underlay, preparation or uplift. Compare them line by line rather than by the total.