We are going to sell our condo soon. One of the improvements we need to make is to replace the carpeting. Can I reuse the pad? What is the general rule of thumb for pad replacement? This means a $1200 difference in price.
Also, what are the drawbacks to leaving the old (ten years) pad in place?
Ten years of wear and tear on a pad will make it much less effective as a pad. Therefore the new carpet won’t feel as good, not springy. And the new carpet will tend to wear out sooner, due to the worn pad underneath it.
None of those are drawbacks if you are going to sell the place, and won’t be living there any more. Unless the buyer notices them, and drops their offer accordingly.
What a situation.
On the one hand, I would never have new carpet put on old padding. It’s a waste, in my mind. The old padding gets thinner and less springy with age, and all of the nastiness that was in the carpet is also embedded in the padding.
But…
Who wants to give $1200 away?
One thing a perspective buyer may notice the feel of one with a new pad, it does make a difference and it may make the difference of making a sale.
Good point. I don’t think anyone would really notice the old pad at all, but it’s pretty certain that everyone will feel the springy new pad and like the feel.
Sounds like I need to pull up some carpet and see what sort of condition the pad is in. I’m sure it’s worn in the high traffic areas and I know that dust/dirt gets ground in.