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. / R( A) M* D: d s( f8 P # w( j+ V0 C. I6 zof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. 1 k- d) @! ^! U* u# w, U1 t