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. 2 A' w5 L8 T ?& C m4 b5 o+ s 0 r2 Q$ {: j0 \6 h3 o) ]' m5 gof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. o4 e9 V! K1 X! D" V