How Much Does Carpet Repair Cost in 2025?

Carpet Repair Cost Factors

High humidity, poor installation, and general wear can lead to carpet issues. If your carpet has damage or sections of deterioration, you'll need to have a local carpet repair pro repair or re-stretch it. Total costs depend on various factors, including carpet square footage, repair type, and labor rates.

Room Size

Though carpet repair cost varies by the type of work necessary, it’s about $1.85 per square foot. Generally, you won’t need to repair all the carpet in your home; instead, you’ll focus on smaller sections or rooms.

The table below explores how that repair price can vary depending on the size of the carpet section needing repair. Note that repairing carpet for a larger square footage may be less cost-effective than just installing new carpet. Get estimates for both if you're looking at a larger project.

Carpet Material

Ranging from $1 to $3 per square foot, carpet materials affect the cost of repair because certain types are more difficult to work with or repair than others. In general, natural fibers tend to be more costly to replace or repair since they have more intensive care specifications and often come with luxury prices.

For example, wool is among the most expensive carpet fiber options. While it’s durable and naturally resistant to stains, wool holds more moisture and is more prone to mold or mildew than synthetic fabrics and, as such, can’t be steam cleaned. In contrast, polyester carpets are affordable to replace and repair but can be more prone to premature wear and damage.

Labor

Labor is one of the main factors influencing the cost of carpet repair. Hiring a carpet repair contractor costs about $60 to $80 per hour, although some contractors may charge a flat rate per repair. Most contractors include a minimum dispatch fee of $100 to $300. Large or complex repairs, such as extensive water damage restoration or stretching, may take several hours or days to complete, increasing total labor costs.

Additional labor costs may include:

• Moving furniture

• Accessing hard-to-reach areas

• Repairing subflooring

Repair Method

Repairing or restoring a carpet varies in cost based on the method employed. The type and scale of damage generally dictate the repair method needed—in some cases, your carpet may need a combination of methods to restore its appearance and functionality. Each of these methods requires different skills, materials, and equipment.

Stretching

Carpet stretching addresses wrinkles, bubbles, or ripples in your carpet. Contractors pull or stretch the carpeting to fit more tightly across the floor, then tack it down and remove any excess. Typical carpet stretching costs range from $100 to $300. When you hire a local carpet stretching service, they'll usually charge a flat rate of at least $100 for a single room. Contractors often add rooms to your service at a discounted rate—beyond the first room, carpet stretching costs range from $40 to $80 per room.

After the single-room fee, some contractors may give you a quote by the hour ($60 per hour on average) or square foot (roughly $0.35 per square foot). Contractors may have a higher restretch carpet cost for Berber (up to 25%) because it can be more difficult to work with.

Patching

Patching a carpet costs anywhere from $150 to $250, depending on the square footage of the section needing to be fixed. Holes, tears, burns, and similar damage generally require professional patching, which involves cutting out a damaged section and replacing it with a matching piece, either from leftover carpeting or a section taken from a less visible area.

Cleaning

Professional carpet cleaning costs about $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot or $130 to $300 total, depending on the stain size and severity. The average room costs about $25 to $75 to clean, but many carpet cleaning companies offer discounts for multiple rooms or area rugs.

Professional carpet cleaning methods include steam cleaning, dry cleaning, or bonnet cleaning. For deep stains or tough-to-clean carpet materials, you may pay a premium for additional cleaning and deodorizing. Stains from food, drinks, and other substances are a common occurrence, particularly in homes with small children and pets. 

Carpet Dye

Carpet dye can treat stains, bleach, and sun-fading, and professional dyeing costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot or about $100 to $600 total. This repair is generally reserved for isolated areas—compared to spot treatments, changing an entire area of carpet color can be more expensive than replacing the flooring.

Seam Repair

Carpet seams can weaken or separate over time due to poor installation, moisture damage, or general wear. Ranging from $100 to $250, repairing a seam involves gluing or sewing the seam and realigning the fibers. Dense or thick carpets, such as wool, or high-traffic areas may require more time and materials for seam repairs.

Carpet Padding

Damaged carpet padding, which can create lumps or weak spots in your carpets, costs between $0.75 and $3.75 per square foot to replace. Carpet padding functions as a layer of protection between your carpet and the floor beneath, reducing friction and wear and improving noise-proofing and underfoot comfort. Total repair costs depend on the type of padding material—rebonded or prime foam are the most affordable options, starting at $0.25 per square foot before installation, while flat rubber padding can cost $3 per square foot or more.

Carpet Repair Costs by Damage Type

Excluding severe cases, most types of carpet damage can be resolved with standard repair and restoration methods, often at a more affordable rate than typical flooring repair. The type of damage influences the exact method and materials required, therefore impacting final costs.

Burn Damage

If your carpet has isolated sections with burns, scorches, or melting, a contractor can perform a simple patch. Burn damage costs $150 to $250 to repair.

Water Damage

Water damage repair costs have a wide range depending on the extent of damage. Often, flooring is only one component of the repair. Repairing water-damaged carpets can cost around $450 to $2,000, but the padding and subflooring beneath may also require replacement.

Because carpets absorb water quickly, the subfloor is likewise vulnerable to damage. On top of carpet repair costs, you may need to budget for subflooring replacement, about $600 for a roughly 300-square-foot room.

Pet Damage 

Like water damage, repair for pet-damage carpets can range widely from $500 to $2,000. This range in repair costs reflects various ways pets can damage carpets. Simple rips, snags, and scratching from claws or chewing may only need a minor patch job. However, multiple urine stains that have settled in could mean significant carpet cleaning costs, plus potential work to the subfloor.

Dents

Costing about $100 to $300 to repair, carpet dents typically occur from heavy foot traffic or when heavy furniture or appliances are left on the surface for an extended period. These permanent marks can make your carpet look worn and uneven, but steam cleaning can re-fluff minor dents. Deep or widespread dents may require specialized carpet lifting, stretching, or patching.

Tears

The cost to fix carpet tears ranges from $100 to $250. Contractors may be able to fix small rips by gluing or tacking down the sides. Larger tears may require patching.

Loose Carpeting

Loose or buckling carpeting is a common problem that requires carpet stretching, which ranges from $100 to $300 to repair. It's important to fix loose carpeting—left unaddressed, loose or buckling points are tripping hazards for your household and guests. Loose carpeting is a common result of natural wear in high-traffic areas or improper installation.

Snags

Snags are especially common in thick loop carpeting, such as Berber carpet. The typical solution is patching and ranges from $150 to $250, though some contractors can fix smaller snags without patching. Instead, they’ll work the fibers back into the carpet backing, which can cost as little as $100.

Stains, Bleach, and Fading

Significant stains, sun-faded sections, and bleach spots on your carpet are unsightly, but they’re usually fixable with cleaning or dyeing. If you have leftover carpeting, patching can sometimes be easier to match the surrounding carpet with.

Carpet Repair vs. Replacement

Carpet repair is usually an affordable option compared to full carpet replacement, especially for minor stains and tears. If your carpet is still relatively new, in good condition, and only has isolated damage, opt for cost-effective repair.

If your carpet is damaged beyond repair in several places or broadly deteriorating, replacing it may be more practical, costing from $950 to $3,030. This estimate includes both the cost of removing old carpet and the cost of installing new carpet. These prices can vary widely depending on the type of carpet you choose and the area’s size. Replacing your carpet can offer your home a renewed look as well as improve cleanliness and home value.

Budgeting for Carpet Repairs

Certain cost-saving strategies can help streamline your budget and get the most from your carpet repair services. Try these budgeting tips: 

• Get detailed quotes from two to three carpet repair professionals to compare prices and services.

• Prioritize repairs based on severity. Focus on essential repairs first, such as those that most impact the integrity and appearance of your carpet.

• Look for seasonal promotions, discounts, or specials.

• Consider bundling repairs or services—many contractors provide reduced rates for repairing additional carpet sections.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.