Carpet costing more than hardwood?

I looked at that one from Stanton too and from what I remember, it's a wool carpet. They will be much more expensive than what you see wandering around HD or Lowes. I quickly ruled out wool, but seem to remember seeing it in the carpet stores starting around $10/sf, which puts it in the neighborhood of your quotes. Also remember you are going to get hit with extra labor charges for dealing with the riser and stage.

Your $1600 quote seems like a pretty good deal if you are able to get the whole room done in a nice wool carpet. For comparison, my main floor and riser cost $5.15/sf plus $150 in extra labor for the riser/steps and the stage cost $5.75/sf with $95 in extra labor for the steps and curve. This was for Masland carpet (not wool). My whole room (12.5'x18') came to $2,400.

you live in Maryland? if so i can i give you number of place in springfield VA that can save you tons ..... the catch is you have to pic the carpet bring it home and hire someone to install.... which i am sure you can on graigslist.... anyway if you want his number just pm me.... i can you more details in a pm.

I have a great carpet guy in Baltimore and his installers are really top notch. Let me know if you want his info for a quote. Also, most carpets are 12' wide so that extra foot in width is adding a lot of cost.

I've mentioned that before in a few other threads. IF you can find a carpet/pattern you like in what is known as "4 meter" carpet, it's just over 13' wide and can end up saving you a LOT of money. I used a patterned carpet from Ken at Stargate and it came out great. It may appear to cost more if you are only comparing the sf price against standard 12' carpet, but you end up needing a lot less.

Have you tried going to HD or Lowes?

So it sounds like it IS 4 meter. Also sounds like it's just plain expensive carpet, then. Guess there's not much you can do about that excpet to change your taste in carpet!

If you're considering Stanton carpet, it is very important to shop around a bit. I found that Stanton prices varied wildly at several different local stores. I had quotes that ranged from $5.60/sq ft to $14.00/sq ft! (These numbers are including pad and installed.)

The carpet was of course a significant expense, but I think it is one of the very best points about my theater and I would absolutely do it the same way again. Guests invariably comment on the softness/plushness of the carpet when they enter the theater. (Sorry, you're not wearing your shoes in my HT. )

You can check out this post in my thread if you're interested in more Stanton info/pricing:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1289590/the-esquire-theater-construction-begins/1410#post_21897679

I searched for carpet for over a year. Particulatly a Stanton one- lake boden.

I called even out of state to get pricing. I ended up at 5.93q/ft installed. I found a place in GA for $3.30 sq/ft for brokering only the carpet+ then you have to add padd and labor.I'm in FL

These carpets are not cheap, and I would avise not to cheap out on the pad either. I had similar thoughts as you - wanted to mix some hardwood in towards the back, but I bit the bullet and spent the $.
Time will tell - but right now it was worth every penny and I had to do 550 sq ft....

Interesting: Lake Boden is the same carpet I purchased. And almost the same amount (600 sq ft if I remember correctly).

And I absolutely agree to upgrade to an Ozite Pad. It only cost me about $0.60/sq ft extra and the installer said it is worth much more than what it costs.

It is and eye catcher for sure! All of the lake series are eye catchers. The offered me a 10lb Shaw pad at .90c extra. Down here 6lb (normal cheapo), 8( has some stain gaurd) and 10lbs( staingaurd and plastic like top) are the usual offerings, outside of the fel

For stage area, I used berber, and plain pad.

Alright, I just dug deep through my files to find this, so I hope it's of some help.

When I was looking for red patterned carpet in 2009, I went to some specialty carpet stores and they had a couple of options that were red with fancy gold squares and such, costing $44 and $48 per yard. I think that worked out to about $5 per square foot, not sure if that included installation. I'm guessing not.

Then I went to Lowe's and they had 1 red patterned choice. The price was waaay better than the specialty stores and this is what I ended up using. Looks similar to the first 3 pictures in your post above. The pattern shapes are fleur-de-lis. I just pulled out the invoice and I can't find a picture online anywhere, but it's made by Milliken, called SOS Payton 8091-10800, cranberry color. Total installed price was $1,800 for a 14x21 ft room, including the extra work of going up a seating riser and screen stage, both curved and bullnosed. They did a great job. The price worked out to about $3 per sq ft with the nice thick underlayment, plus installation. Maybe check another Lowe's location or ask if they could order it? Worth a shot.