Carpets & vinyl, supplied & fitted
Gourley’s of Antrim — family carpet fitters since 1978.
Carpet is quoted a dozen different ways, which makes comparing prices a nightmare. Here is what actually goes into the cost, and what to watch for on a quote.
The short version
- A carpet price is really six prices: carpet, underlay, gripper, door bars, fitting and disposal.
- Check whether you are being quoted per square yard or per square metre. They are not the same.
- Stairs cost more to fit than a square bedroom, and always will.
- The only accurate quote comes from an in-person measure.
How much does carpet cost in Northern Ireland? Ask three carpet suppliers what a room will cost and you can easily get three numbers that look nothing like each other. That is usually not because one is trying it on, but because they are quoting different things. This is a plain guide to what makes up the cost of a carpet in Northern Ireland, so you can compare quotes properly.
What actually goes into a carpet price
- The carpet itself, priced per square metre or per square yard. Watch which one, because they are not the same and the difference is significant.
- Underlay. Cheap underlay ruins a good carpet, and good underlay makes an ordinary carpet feel better and last longer.
- Gripper rods and door bars.
- Fitting labour, which depends on the size and shape of the room. Stairs cost more than a square bedroom for good reason.
- Uplift and disposal of your old flooring, if you need it.
- Moving furniture, if that is part of the job.
When you are comparing carpet quotes, the single most useful question is: does this price include underlay, gripper, door bars, fitting and taking the old floor away? If any of those are extra, the headline number means very little.
Square metres and square yards
Carpet in Northern Ireland is still often quoted per square yard, while rooms are usually measured in metres. A square yard is smaller than a square metre, so a price quoted per yard will always look cheaper at a glance. It is not a trick, it is just convention, but it does mean you should check which unit you are being quoted in before you compare two shops.
Why the cheapest carpet quote is not always the cheapest job
Carpet is one of those purchases where the gap between a low-cost job and a properly done one shows up in year two, not week one. Thin underlay flattens. Poor seams open on a landing. A carpet laid on an unswept floor picks up every bit of grit underneath it. None of that is visible on the day it is fitted.
The other thing worth weighing is who is responsible afterwards. If the shop supplied it and a subcontractor fitted it, sorting out a problem can turn into a conversation between two companies with you in the middle.
How to get an accurate carpet quote
- 1Get the room measured properly, in person. Estimates over the phone are guesses.
- 2Ask for the quote in writing with the extras itemised.
- 3Decide on underlay at the same time as the carpet, not afterwards.
- 4Ask about lead time. Stock carpet can often be fitted in days; special orders take longer.
- 5Ask what happens if you are not happy with the finish.
Free carpet measuring across Antrim and beyond
We offer a free measuring service across Antrim, Randalstown, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Templepatrick, Crumlin, Toome and Belfast. There is no charge and no obligation, and you get a written price with everything included, so you know exactly what you are comparing. With over 200 rolls of carpet and vinyl in our Antrim showroom, most jobs can be fitted quickly.
If you would rather work out the rough size yourself first, our measuring guide walks through how to measure a room for carpet, including awkward shapes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to carpet a full house in Northern Ireland?
It depends almost entirely on the size of the rooms, the grade of carpet and the underlay you choose, so any figure quoted without a measure is a guess. The reliable way to find out is a free in-person measure and a written quote with everything itemised.
Is carpet cheaper than vinyl?
The ranges overlap. Budget carpet and budget sheet vinyl land in similar territory, and premium versions of both do too. The more useful comparison is cost per year in that particular room rather than cost per square metre.
Does carpet fitting cost extra?
Some suppliers include it and some add it. Always ask for a fitted price that includes underlay, gripper, door bars and disposal, otherwise you are comparing two different things.
Why is stair carpet more expensive to fit?
Stairs take far longer, need more accurate cutting and more material for the winders, and they wear faster than anywhere else in the house, so they usually justify a heavier grade of carpet as well.
Free measuring across Antrim & Northern Ireland
Over 200 rolls of carpet and vinyl in stock. Measured, supplied and fitted by our own team, serving Antrim, Ballymena, Randalstown, Ballyclare and Belfast.
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