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. % g8 E4 U: R" v4 W7 t % j" p8 r# H2 l: z# N: k* Kof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. $ I) r$ g. D/ i4 h9 y/ c