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. 7 D: U3 z- n& N8 S1 I* X ! q/ ~# x4 _# m @# q4 hof course, this all depend on how long you plan to live in this house too.: @. \+ Y' j8 Z: ~