The cost of carpet in New Zealand: A pricing guide for 2024

Written by

06 March 2024

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6 min read

Updating your flooring can be an exciting venture, that is, until it comes time to work out how much it will cost. As something we don't do all that often, knowing where to start and trying to get an understanding of all the costs involved can be difficult and daunting. However, if you can get a good grasp of the essentials, you'll be far better placed to find the best carpet for your needs and budget.

We're fortunate to have a wide range of carpet options to choose from in New Zealand, from luxurious wool carpets to hardwearing nylon carpets, which can actually make the task of choosing one all the more challenging. Knowing the approximate price of these options, as well as knowing what costs you can expect from the installation, can help you make your final decision, saving you time and money in the process.

The average cost of carpet by material

The biggest influence on the cost of carpet in New Zealand, as in many other places, tends to be the material from which the carpet is made. Carpet materials vary widely in terms of quality, durability, feel, and manufacturing complexity, all of which contribute significantly to the overall cost. For this reason, the broad range of carpet prices according to the type of material used has been covered first in this guide.

Wool carpet

Wool is often one of the more expensive carpet material options in New Zealand due to its natural origin, durability, and luxurious feel. It's well-regarded for its softness, natural resistance to stains and dirt, and ability to maintain its appearance over time. It is also very warm underfoot. Being a renewable natural fibre, wool appeals to eco-friendly conscious customers — a sentiment which can carry a premium.

The price of wool carpet can start from around $40 - $190+ per square metre.

Nylon carpet

Nylon carpet is an extremely popular synthetic flooring option, known for its durability, resilience, and ease of maintenance. It's a synthetic fibre that offers excellent performance in high-traffic areas, making it suitable for both residential and commercial environments. Highly stain-resistant, it can retain its colour for years, especially solution dyed nylon where the colour goes completely through the fibres.

The price of nylon carpet can start from around $30 - $120+ per square metre.

Polyester carpet

Polyester carpet is another popular synthetic flooring option in New Zealand, valued for its softness, stain resistance, and vibrant colour options. It's particularly appealing to those looking for an affordable yet aesthetically pleasing carpet choice. Being a synthetic fibre, it is produced from petroleum-derived materials which may put some people off but it does contribute to a lower average cost compared to natural fibres like wool.

The price of polyester carpet can start from around $40 - $140+ per square metre.

Related article: Choosing the right carpet for your home

Galet Wool Carpet is a chunky loop pile made with 100% felted New Zealand wool.

Polypropylene carpet

Polypropylene carpet, also known as olefin carpet, is great for a variety of living areas due to its impressive durability and stain resistance. They are particularly good in spaces where moisture resistance and easy cleaning are priorities, such as basements, garages, playrooms, and outdoor areas. They are also one of the most affordable carpet options available in New Zealand.

The price of polypropylene carpet can start from around $25 - $50+ per square metre.

Blended carpet

Blended carpet combines different fibre types, like wool, with synthetic materials like nylon, polyester or polypropylene. This allows them to share a blend of characteristics, notably the warmth and comfort you would enjoy from a natural fibre with the durability and stain resistance of a synthetic choice. As a result, their pricing generally sits somewhere between the two.

The price of blended carpet can start from around $40 - $90+ per square metre.

Triexta carpet

Triexta is a relatively new carpet type in New Zealand that is becoming an increasingly popular option because of its durability, softness, and excellent stain and fade resistance. Made from a synthetic material that is partly derived from corn glucose, Triexta combines the performance benefits of a synthetic carpet with some of the eco-friendly attributes of a natural material. The cost of triexta carpet can vary depending on the brand and features that have been developed in the product.

The price of triexta carpet can start from around $70 - $160+ per square metre.

The Casablanca Carpet is a hard-wearing choice with versatile colour choices.

The cost of carpet underlay

Carpet underlay can sometimes catch people by surprise, especially if they haven't purchased carpet before, but it plays a crucial role in the overall performance, comfort, and longevity of a carpet. Sometimes called carpet padding or cushion, underlay is a layer of material placed under a carpet or floor covering. It improves comfort thanks to its additional padding, helps protect the carpet from moisture, provides additional insulation and helps absorb the impact from foot traffic and furniture.

The density ranges from around 80kg to 130kg per cubic and can be from 9.5mm to 11mm in thickness.

The cost of carpet underlay can vary greatly depending on the density and thickness described above and can also be charged in different ways. Some carpet suppliers will provide an all-inclusive price for purchase and installation that includes a standard underlay making it difficult to estimate. Generally, somewhere around $10 - $20 per square metre is what you might expect them to charge you.

If you are a DIYer, you can also buy 18.3 square metre rolls of underlay which can price anywhere between $90 - $175.

The cost of carpet installation

As just discussed, the cost of installation is often combined with the cost of underlay and the product so singling it out on its own can be challenging. The cost can also be influenced by other factors like the shape of the room and the complexity of the carpet laying as a result, the removal of existing carpet, any floor preparation that might be required, travel time for remote locations etc.

Broadly speaking, looking at a charge of around $50 per hour or $20 per square metre is a good starting point to set your expectations around before getting precise quotes from the professionals you're considering. Many offer a free measure and quote service allowing you to shop around.

The Basket Weave Marle Grey Carpet is an exquisite handcrafted option to consider for your home.

Understanding carpet costs in New Zealand

As you can see, while the pricing is heavily influenced by carpet types, installation costs and the inclusion of underlay also play a part as well. Now you have a solid understanding of all these factors, you can now embark on the exciting journey of getting to purchase a new carpet, which will more likely also be the right carpet, for your budget and home.