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. ( K3 k% O. k, p- R1 G, J/ I / n* _0 u* ^8 N* a* J1 Wof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too.- e* R& U ~' {