Costs
How much does flooring cost in Sydney? A plain-English guide
Price per square metre is only half the story. Here's what goes into a real flooring quote, and how to compare quotes fairly.
By the Austt Flooring team · · 2 min read
The first question almost everyone asks is "how much per square metre?" It's a fair question, but two quotes with the same per-metre price can end up thousands of dollars apart once preparation, trims and removal are added. This guide explains typical price ranges and — more usefully — what drives them.
Indicative supply and install prices
| Floor type | Typical range (supply + install, per m²) |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $45 – $75 |
| Hybrid | $60 – $95 |
| Engineered timber | $95 – $180 |
| Solid timber (laid, sanded and coated) | $130 – $230 |
| Herringbone / parquet | $160 – $300+ |
| Sanding and polishing existing timber | $35 – $60 |
These are broad guides only. Product range, room shapes, stairs and subfloor condition all move the number. We give a written, itemised quote after a free measure.
What else goes into a flooring quote
- Removal of the old floor. Carpet is quick; tiles on a slab take far longer and create more waste.
- Subfloor preparation. Grinding high spots and self-levelling low spots is the most common extra, especially for rigid hybrid flooring.
- Underlay. Standard, moisture-barrier or acoustic-rated for apartments.
- Trims and skirting. Scotia, new skirting boards, door-way trims and stair nosings.
- Stairs. Priced per step, and usually the most labour-intensive part — see stairs and nosings.
- Furniture moving and door trimming.
- Wastage. Typically 5–10%, more for herringbone or rooms with lots of angles.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every installer to itemise the same things: product and range, square metres including wastage, underlay type, preparation, removal, trims, stairs and timing. A low headline price with "preparation extra" isn't cheaper if the preparation is only discovered on install day.
Where you can save — and where you shouldn't
- Save by choosing laminate for bedrooms and hybrid only where water matters.
- Save by removing and disposing of carpet yourself, if you're able to.
- Don't save on subfloor preparation — it's the difference between a floor that lasts and one that creaks or lifts.
- Don't save on underlay in apartments; it's what keeps you compliant with strata by-laws.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge for a measure and quote?
No. The measure and written quote are free across Sydney and the Central Coast.
Is GST included in flooring prices?
Always check. Our written quotes show whether GST is included so you can compare like with like.
