Cost to Install Carpet Tiles – 2021

| Last Updated: August 21, 2021

National Average Improvement and Repair Cost

Pro

DIY

Hours:

5.4

7

Cost:

$ 1125

$ 575

Would you do this project? According to our survey, 63% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.

The average price to Install Carpet Tiles noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.

How much are carpet tiles installed? The contractor cost to install carpet tiles is $1,125 vs. doing it yourself for $620 and saving 49 percent. 

A distinct advantage of carpet tiles over wall-to-wall carpeting is that tiles can be easily replaced when damaged or worn. This feature makes the tiles a good choice for heavy traffic areas, a kid’s room, and wherever pets spend a lot of time. And these tiles require no adhesive, so they’re a quick cover-up for any room that needs a new floor covering, and there’s no messy installation.

They range in sizes from 12 to 22-inch squares with edging systems that lock together. They’re sold as a carpet system with 19 1/2-inch square tiles (a carton covers 35 square feet), and they come in a variety of trendy colors and patterns. You’ll find them in home centers and online. The interlocking tiles can be installed on a floor that’s level, sound, dry and dust-free. It’s easiest to work on the floor if the furniture is removed from the room. If that’s not possible, move furniture to one side of the room, install the carpet tiles and then move the furniture back to finish the floor on the other side of the room.

A carpet installer will charge $1,125 to lay moderately priced carpet tiles in a 12-by-15 room, or 180 square feet. This includes labor and material. You can buy them and do it yourself for $575, saving 49 percent. You’ll need to figure out how many tiles you need for your area. Before you begin installing the tiles, you’ll need a vacuum with a crevice tool, a damp mop, and a prybar to remove molding or tack strips. To install the tiles you’ll need a utility or carpet knife with extra blades, a straightedge, measuring tape, chalk line and knee pads.

Here are installation instructions from Flor.

The bottom line: compare the price of a contractor’s bid to install carpet tiles with what it costs to do it yourself and make your decision. 

Here are some other helpful guides:

Welcome! We hope you’ll find the job costs of home improvement projects useful when you’re deciding whether to do a job yourself vs. hire a contractor. We’re the authors of 20 home improvement books, most notably Home Improvement for Dummies©, Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies©, Carpentry for Dummies©, Plumbing for Dummies©, and Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies©. Our most recent book Fix It and Flip It is in its second edition. We’ve appeared as home improvement experts on television programs such as CNN, Dateline, the Today Show, HGTV and many others.