Carpet Cost NZ 2026 — Supply & Install Prices per m²
Carpet costs in NZ 2026 — supply and install prices per m² for wool, nylon, and polyester carpet. What affects price, what's included, and how to choose the right carpet for each room.
Carpet supply and installation in NZ typically costs $35–$120 per m² depending on the carpet type, quality, and underlay. A standard 3-bedroom home with 80–100m² of carpet will cost $4,000–$12,000 to fully recarpet including underlay and installation.
Carpet Supply + Install Costs NZ 2026
| Type | Cost per m² (supply + install incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Entry-level polyester (rental grade) | $35–$55/m² |
| Mid-range nylon or polyester | $55–$80/m² |
| Premium nylon (Stainmaster, etc.) | $75–$110/m² |
| Wool/nylon blend (80/20) | $80–$130/m² |
| Pure wool (high-end) | $100–$180/m² |
| Commercial / heavy-duty nylon | $55–$90/m² |
These prices include standard underlay, removal and disposal of existing carpet, and installation.
Underlay accounts for $8–$18/m² of the total and significantly affects comfort and carpet longevity. A good underlay extends carpet life by 30–50%. Don't accept cheap underlay on a premium carpet.
Whole-House Carpet Costs (Supply + Install)
| Home Size | Budget Grade | Mid-Range | Premium Wool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom (60–80m²) | $2,200–$4,500 | $4,500–$7,500 | $8,000–$15,000 |
| 3-bedroom (80–110m²) | $3,000–$6,000 | $6,000–$10,000 | $11,000–$20,000 |
| 4-bedroom (110–140m²) | $4,000–$7,500 | $7,500–$13,000 | $14,000–$26,000 |
Carpet Types — Which to Choose?
Nylon
The most durable synthetic option. Resists wear, staining, and fading. Best choice for high-traffic areas (hallways, stairs, family rooms). Modern nylon with stain protection rivals wool for durability at lower cost.
Polyester
Soft and affordable. Good for bedrooms with lower traffic. Less resilient than nylon — flattens more quickly in high-traffic areas. Budget and mid-range rentals commonly use polyester.
Wool / Wool Blend
Naturally resilient, fire-resistant, and comfortable underfoot. The premium choice for bedrooms and formal living areas in NZ homes. 80/20 wool-nylon blends balance the natural feel of wool with the durability of nylon. Pure wool is the most expensive but extremely long-lasting.
Berber / Loop Pile
A tightly looped pile that resists crushing well. Good in moderate-traffic areas. Avoid in homes with cats — claws snag loops easily.
What Affects Carpet Cost?
Room shapes — more waste with awkward-shaped rooms. Stairs add significantly to both material waste and installation time.
Existing carpet removal — usually included in residential quotes but confirm. Difficult-to-remove situations (old carpet stapled to floor) may add a small charge.
Subfloor condition — if the subfloor has high spots, holes, or is uneven, it needs preparation before carpet laying. This can add $200–$600 to a job.
Stairs — typically charged per step ($15–$35/step) rather than per m² due to the complexity.