if you're planning to spend $ on the carpet (surface layer), then you should plan to spend $$ on the under layer. a good under layer will let your carpet last a lot longer. when you walk on carpet with good under layer, you'll feel a lot more comfortable too. * h* Q; o+ ~% }# o# K, e 2 f; S8 z1 h w% cof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too.' e8 H2 c- `9 i