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. : W1 N3 I7 u& \" b . e4 k0 _& S; R5 w; |3 U9 jof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. # l& p' i* a& `