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Design Dilemma Home Decorating Flooring

Outrageous or realistic? Quote for stair runner

2 years ago

I just got a quote for a stair runner and I’m wondering if it’s absolutely ridiculous or in line with things these days. I was quoted $3200 for Preston Mills Deerfield, installed - price includes carpet, padding, a standard landing with a 90 degree turn, serged edges, and Hollywood style installation. My staircase is 12 steps, landing, then 3 more steps and I’m located in northern Virginia.

I love the carpet and realize it’s not cheap, but is that quote outrageous?

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Comments (11)

PRO
Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Not outrageous. You could easily pay that for a good quality area rug which doesn't include padding and installation.
Cynthia
2 years ago
My guess is a bit of that is going into the waste factor since this carpet has a 39.5"x25.5" pattern repeat. If you want that pattern to line up you will have waste. If they will be templating and binding on site you can see if you can use some of that waste as area rug or runners.
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We recently had a runner installed when we were expecting our now 5 month old baby. Our 10 year old dog (Lab/Border Collie mix) had been having a really hard time with the stairs and with a new baby on the way it made sense. The dog did exactly what your installer said-he tried walking on the edge of the stair treads to avoid the carpet but he caught on quickly with a little coaching and encouragement from us. Before the runner was installed we had to hold his collar and walk slowly down with him but now he runs up and down the stairs like a pup again. I wish we had done it sooner and I love the look. Ours is a grayish/beige sculpted carpet and they matched the serging to the carpet. So far no issues with the edging holding up to two cats and the dog. We did buy enough extra raw carpet (not serged) to replace any damaged areas in case it is ever discontinued or unavailable.
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You have the same wood on my stairs when I pulled up my ugly green carpet. The treads are yummy oak and the risers are crappy pine like yours. Why they didn't use all oak??? I was ecstatic that I had a good wooden staircase that I could refinish and not have to re-carpet. My house is from the 1975. I scrubbed them good with a bleach water solution, puttied over screws in risers, sanded, stained and sealed the wood. I didn't paint my risers, but I would recommend it. Mine stained the same, but I know they are two different woods and the risers don't look as nice as the treads to me. But nobody has said anything and my kids would of. I would of painted the risers, but painted risers remind me of a colonial style staircases and I don't have a colonial home. I did mine 2 years ago and they are not showing any sign of wear.
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Anna (6B/7A in MD)
2 years ago
I didn't think that price was out of line especially, as Kristin noted above, when compared to area rugs.

Question: is this the pattern?

If so, would the darker stripe ever make you think it was dirty from foot traffic?
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
I don’t do much with carpet but that number sounds reasonable.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
2 years ago
In addition to what others said, it's not just a piece of carpet being installed... You have to use a special machine and get both edges of the runner Binded or Serged. So it's not only the carpet and installation fee, there is specialty work that needs to be done to make a runner and that involves extra cost.
A D
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks everyone - all of your insights make sense and I appreciate the input! Stair runners definitely aren’t as straightforward as wall to wall carpet or area rugs.

@Cynthia - Great point; I’ll ask about the waste as I’ve got plenty of ideas for where and how to use extra pieces.

@Anna (I’m also an Anna #teampalindrome) - I picked the Silver color so it’s not as quite dark as one you shared, and the Preston Mills version seems to have a lot more white spots to break up any “solid” dark lines. This pic shows the color/style I’m aiming for…
always1stepbehind
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Are you getting more than one estimate?
A D
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes, planning on it! Just wanted to check and see what others with more recent/relevant experience think.
lynzy1
2 years ago
Does not sound one bit out of line. In fact, in my area it may be even somewhat on the low end.
jjam
2 years ago
I just had a runner installed and I definitely had a case of sticker shock. But in the end, I am so happy with it and now understand the labor involved so the price doesn't bother me. The right runner can really set the tone for your decor so getting a quality job is money well spent. Good luck!
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
2 years ago
I love how stair runners look. Post updates!

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