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. ; B% y$ W- K5 s5 J 3 Y+ x( {/ ?$ P# ]of course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. * w7 I' |( l: {5 ?1 Y% p1 r