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. $ R6 }# H/ n9 n& F; V {+ J $ e8 f: P! R. i2 j3 Wof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too. # t% P$ b* P1 K6 c# B