Does everyone really change the carpets when they move house

[Flickersy]

(Inspired by a few threads)

I've seen quite a few posters say they have to put down new carpets when they move into a house, or at least get rid of the previous owners carpets.

Now if they're irretrievably stained, ripped, or blindingly hideous, I would understand it. And perhaps I'm too used to living in house shares and rentals where you just have to live with whatever's there.

But I'm hoping to buy somewhere this year, if I'm lucky, and frankly having to change all the carpets isn't an expense I'm factoring in. Unless they're in such a condition which renders them unusable, I plan on changing them slowly over time as and when it's needed. Is that completely slovenly? And if so what else should I be watching for?

Our last house we didn't change any of the carpets and we were there 5 years, sold it in 3 days with those old carpets still there.

Our new house we changed the hall and kitchen to laminate because they were both cream and we have a muddy buggy to take in the house. It's an ex show home and the carpets are all 10 years old and cream coloured. We'll get round to replacing every room eventually but we have childcare costs for the next couple of years so not in a rush to shell out the money

You must know some strange people then.

Most people l know want new kitchens and bathrooms.

I think people should be allowed to do whatever they want in their own houses without being accused of being wasteful.

Depends if a place was recently remodelled and I bought it because it was walk in ready or whether it was a doer upper.

If the carpet was a couple of years old and a neutral colour that matched my stuff I'd keep it but chances of this is unlikely.

No I’ve never done that & moved around a fair bit

Goodness. Which religion is this? I was brought up in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland which emphasises thrift, so no, we haven't replaced carpets until we had to.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g
What do you mean by "goodness". I find your comment quite rude and weirdly judgemental. Presbyterian, hey? Many religions need to have a purified space. Some people don't just pray by clasping their hands together to speak to God. Please learn more about other faiths.

I don't like carpets. They are unhygienic imo. I would change them to flooring. I also don't wear shoes in the house but many MANY people do. I don't know my vendor's behaviour nor their guests.

have not changed them as previous owners had a shoes off policy - as do we. We did clean them.

On MN, every day is a learning day!

Why would you change nice carpets? I’ve just moved and inherited really good quality clean 3 year old carpets. No intention of changing them whatsoever.

Most people I know move in and live with a house for at least a year before doing amything major (obviously not including replacing broken or disgusting things, or buying curtains or light fittings if none left).

That way you get a feel for the house and your actual priorities and can plan and budget effectively.

Of course not if the carpet is in reasonable condition and not hideous.

We replaced the bathroom carpets a few years ago as they don't last in the humid conditions.

We are now replacing a bedroom carpet and living room carpet after 19 years in the house. The rest will keep going for a good few years yet.

Nope, not if they look ok and are in decent condition.
In one house we replaced the lounge carpet ASAP because it was actually sticky 🤮 It actually made a sssip-sssip noise when you walked on it.

I removed the carpet to put hardwood flooring.

Oh gross, no wonder you changed that carpet!

Never changed carpets - or even bought any! When we next move I am going to unless the carpets are very neutral and new.

It really was revolting. No amount of cleaning would have fixed it!

Purple carpet, floral wallpaper in the lounge went first, beige carpet in the hall was ruined with two hairy muddy dogs, now hard flooring. The rest is okay

I mean the normal English expression 'Goodness!', short for 'Goodness me', expressing astonishment. I was brought up Presbyterian but it didn't stick as I have no religious belief now. I was simply surprised to find that any religion would put such a financial burden on its followers. Surely a good clean is all that's needed to purify a space.

I don't like carpet so I always get rid of it. I try to give it away if it's useable.

I prefer wood but many people have no issue using carpet someone has left behind.

I'm asthmatic and so is DH so we like wooden floors or laminate. Easier to steam mop and keep clean. I've got 2 dogs and 2 cats too so would not want muddy paws on a carpet.

No

Wouldn't if it was a rented property, although usually they are professionally cleaned beforehand. Have done when I've purchased a property, as I have a vision and want to make it my own, that includes flooring. That said, my last property had terribly worn carpets and when I pulled them up the underlay had turned to dust, so they definitely needed changing.

No, I don't change carpets in hotels when I visit so no idea why I would in a house

Sure if it is really terrible I would but not just an automatic thing

A good clean and it's fine. Then change as you get round to it, depending on condition (or any hideous patterns/colours!)

Yes, we did, they were very old but I would prefer to do it anyway. We also put laminate in the living room.
I factored it in when planning.

Well our current house was a semi derelict probate sale so we had to remove the carpets with gloves and skip them. I can still remember the smell.

I wouldn't generally replace though, if they could be cleaned.

We only got new ones when we were preparing to sell our last house. Paid off as we had an offer in a week and completed within 3 months.

The existing ones were a little worn but perfectly fine for us as we have cats and dogs. Throwing away perfectly good carpet is ridiculous.