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. 8 P( h* f! f. X% _2 C1 r' X4 T ' Z2 |: E* `' |6 G4 a) ~$ {5 Qof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. / P. {- s( ~. |