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. 9 n ]; x& V8 h" h ; o- W1 `' y7 ^; s" t% K. p1 k- e; Wof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too.& b: R' F2 j; Y% d2 `0 }