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. : B9 r6 H' v3 I/ l4 W7 f * L& N8 {: d) p- j& M# Z+ Cof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. , O$ Q+ w# m( b3 ?- v