How to Quote Flooring Jobs: A Practical Guide for Australian Flooring Installers
Flooring is one of the trades where the subfloor determines the profit. Two identical rooms, same material, same square metreage. One has a flat concrete slab and takes half a day. The other has a damp, uneven timber subfloor that needs levelling compound, a moisture barrier, and plywood overlay. That second room can cost twice as much to install and take twice as long. If your quote lumps everything into a single per-square-metre number, you either absorb the prep cost or lose the job to someone who quoted the easy version.
This guide covers the pricing models that work for different flooring jobs, current 2026 per-square-metre rates by material type and city, common job benchmarks, subfloor preparation costs, waste calculation, old flooring removal pricing, floor sanding and polishing, licensing requirements, and how to present a quote that customers trust.
1. Calculate your true cost per hour
Before you set any per-square-metre rate, know what an hour of your time actually costs. Add up:
- Wages and super (yours plus any offsider or apprentice)
- Vehicle (fuel, rego, insurance, servicing, finance; flooring installers carry fewer heavy tools than most trades but still need a van or ute for material delivery)
- Tools (table saw or drop saw, jigsaw, pull bar, tapping block, spacers, undercut saw for door frames, moisture meter, laser level, knee kicker and power stretcher for carpet, floor sander for timber finishing)
- Public liability insurance (typically $700-$1,400/year for flooring; lower risk than height-work trades)
- Licensing and memberships (where required; Certificate III in Flooring Technology CPC31420 costs $3,000-$6,000)
- Admin, phone, accounting, software
Most Australian flooring installers land between $38 and $60 per hour in true cost. Your charge-out rate adds a 25-40% margin on top. If your true cost is $50/hour, a 30% margin puts your charge-out at $65/hour. That hourly rate is the foundation for every per-square-metre price you set.
Flooring has a cost characteristic that differs from most trades: material-handling time is significant. You unload pallets from the delivery truck, acclimatise materials in the room (engineered timber needs 48-72 hours), carry boxes room by room, and manage offcuts and packaging waste throughout the job. This handling time is real labour that your per-square-metre rate must cover.
2. Choose the right pricing model
Flooring work fits into three pricing models. Most installers use per-square-metre for the bulk of their work, but the right model depends on the job.
Per square metre (the industry standard)
Use per-square-metre pricing for any job where you can measure the area upfront. This covers 90%+ of residential flooring work. The rate typically includes installation labour, underlay (for floating floors), adhesive (for glue-down), trims and transitions, and a standard waste allowance. Materials are either included (supply and install) or quoted separately (labour only).
When it works: whole-house installs, room-by-room work, commercial fit-outs, any job where the floor plan is clear.
Fixed price
Use fixed pricing for defined, contained jobs where the scope is certain. A single bedroom, a hallway, a staircase overlay. The customer wants one number. You measure, price, and commit.
When it works: single-room jobs, stair overlays, small bathroom vinyl installs, feature floors in an entry or kitchen.
Hourly
Use hourly pricing for repair work, patching, transition strip adjustments, and any job where the subfloor condition is uncertain until you start. Hourly protects your margin when the scope is genuinely unknown.
When it works: board replacements, water damage repairs, small patch jobs, subfloor investigation, jobs where the existing floor condition is hidden under another layer.
3. Charge-out rates by city
These are typical charge-out rates (what the customer pays for labour) for flooring installers in 2026. Your true cost is lower; the difference is your margin. Rates vary by experience, specialisation, and the type of flooring being installed.
| City | Hourly rate range | Typical midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $70 - $100/hr | $85/hr |
| Melbourne | $65 - $95/hr | $80/hr |
| Brisbane | $60 - $90/hr | $75/hr |
| Perth | $65 - $95/hr | $80/hr |
| Adelaide | $55 - $80/hr | $68/hr |
| Canberra | $65 - $90/hr | $78/hr |
| Hobart | $55 - $80/hr | $68/hr |
| Darwin | $70 - $100/hr | $85/hr |
| Regional | $50 - $75/hr | $63/hr |
Most flooring jobs are quoted per square metre rather than hourly. These hourly rates are useful for repair work, small jobs, and as a cross-check on your per-square-metre rates. If your per-square-metre price works out to less than your hourly charge-out rate per hour of actual install time, your rate is too low.
4. Per-square-metre rates by flooring material
These are 2026 supply-and-install rates for residential work across Australian capitals. Supply-only and labour-only columns are separated so you can build quotes either way.
| Flooring type | Supply only (per m2) | Labour only (per m2) | Supply + install (per m2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate (8-12mm, AC4+) | $25 - $60 | $25 - $40 | $55 - $100 |
| Hybrid / SPC (5-8mm rigid core) | $30 - $75 | $30 - $55 | $60 - $135 |
| Vinyl plank / LVP (glue-down) | $25 - $55 | $35 - $60 | $65 - $120 |
| Vinyl plank / LVP (click-lock) | $30 - $60 | $25 - $45 | $55 - $110 |
| Engineered timber (click or glue) | $50 - $130 | $40 - $70 | $90 - $200 |
| Solid hardwood (nailed, T&G) | $60 - $160 | $50 - $80 | $120 - $280 |
| Solid hardwood (glue-down) | $60 - $160 | $55 - $90 | $130 - $280 |
| Bamboo (strand-woven) | $45 - $100 | $35 - $60 | $80 - $170 |
| Carpet (mid-range residential) | $25 - $80 | $25 - $45 | $55 - $130 |
| Carpet (premium wool) | $60 - $150 | $30 - $50 | $95 - $200 |
| Vinyl sheet (residential) | $20 - $50 | $25 - $45 | $45 - $100 |
| Polished concrete (grind and seal) | $15 - $35 (sealer/coatings) | $50 - $100 | $65 - $135 |
| Cork (floating, click-lock) | $40 - $85 | $30 - $50 | $70 - $140 |
These ranges reflect standard residential installations on a reasonably flat subfloor. Complex layouts, herringbone or chevron patterns, stairs, and commercial specifications push labour rates toward the upper end. Budget products at the low end of supply-only can still carry healthy margins when your installation quality justifies a mid-range total.
Metro vs regional: expect supply-and-install rates to be 10-20% higher in Sydney and Melbourne compared to regional areas, driven by labour rates and overhead.
5. Common job benchmarks
These are typical total costs (supply and install, including standard underlay and trims, excluding removal and levelling) for common residential flooring jobs in 2026. Use them as a sense check on your quotes.
| Job description | Approx. area | Material | Typical price range (inc. install) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom | 12 m2 | Hybrid / SPC | $900 - $1,600 |
| Single bedroom | 12 m2 | Carpet (mid-range) | $700 - $1,500 |
| Master bedroom + ensuite entry | 18 m2 | Engineered timber | $1,600 - $3,600 |
| Living room | 25 m2 | Hybrid / SPC | $1,500 - $3,400 |
| Living room | 25 m2 | Solid hardwood | $3,000 - $7,000 |
| Open-plan living + kitchen | 45 m2 | Hybrid / SPC | $2,700 - $6,100 |
| Hallway | 8 m2 | Hybrid / SPC | $650 - $1,200 |
| Kitchen (vinyl sheet) | 12 m2 | Vinyl sheet | $550 - $1,200 |
| Laundry | 6 m2 | Vinyl plank | $500 - $900 |
| Whole house (3-bed) | 90 m2 | Hybrid / SPC | $5,400 - $12,200 |
| Whole house (3-bed) | 90 m2 | Engineered timber | $8,100 - $18,000 |
| Whole house (3-bed) | 90 m2 | Carpet throughout | $5,000 - $11,700 |
| Staircase overlay (13 treads) | ~6 m2 | Engineered timber | $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Floor sand and polish (existing timber) | 60 m2 | Sanding + 3-coat poly | $2,100 - $4,200 |
| Commercial office fit-out | 200 m2 | Carpet tile | $12,000 - $28,000 |
Benchmarks are guides, not ceilings. If your quote is well above these ranges, make sure the line items explain why: difficult subfloor, premium materials, restricted access, multi-storey carry, or complex layout. If it is well below, check that you have not underestimated preparation work.
6. Subfloor preparation costs
Subfloor preparation is the line item that separates accurate quotes from underquotes. Inspect the subfloor at the measure visit and price preparation as its own section. Customers understand preparation costs when you explain them. They do not understand a surprise invoice after the job starts.
| Preparation type | Cost per m2 | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Self-levelling compound (thin pour, up to 10mm) | $30 - $55 | Concrete slabs with minor dips or high spots beyond 3mm in 3m tolerance |
| Self-levelling compound (deep pour, 10-30mm) | $50 - $75 | Slabs with significant unevenness, old tile adhesive ridges, slope correction |
| Sand-cement screed | $50 - $110 | Large-area corrections, new builds with unfinished slabs, height build-up for thresholds |
| Moisture barrier (polyethylene film) | $2 - $5 | Standard on every concrete slab under floating floors (Australian Standard AS 1884) |
| Moisture barrier (epoxy / specialist sealer) | $20 - $40 | Concrete slabs with high moisture readings (>75% RH or >5.5% pin reading) |
| Moisture-resistant primer | $8 - $18 | Pre-treatment before levelling compound on damp or dusty concrete |
| Foam or cork underlay | $5 - $10 | Under floating floors (hybrid, laminate, engineered click-lock); often included in per-m2 rate |
| Rubber acoustic underlay | $10 - $25 | Apartments, upper-storey rooms, strata requirements, commercial projects |
| Plywood underlay (over damaged timber subfloor) | $20 - $40 | Old timber subfloors with excessive gaps, cupping, or structural movement |
| Sanding uneven timber subfloor | $10 - $20 | Timber subfloors with minor unevenness that can be corrected without overlay |
| Slab grinding (high spots, adhesive removal) | $15 - $35 | Localised grinding to bring high spots within tolerance; old tile adhesive ridges |
The 3mm rule: Australian Standard AS 1884 (Resilient sheet and tile flooring) and most manufacturer warranties specify a maximum subfloor deviation of 3mm over 3 metres. If the subfloor fails this check, levelling is required, not optional. Use a 1.8m or 3m straight edge and feeler gauge at the measure. Document the readings; they justify the preparation line items on the quote.
7. Old flooring removal costs
Most residential flooring jobs involve removing existing flooring first. Price removal as a separate line item. The difficulty varies enormously depending on what is coming up and how it was installed.
| Existing flooring | Removal cost per m2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet and underlay | $8 - $12 | Fastest removal. Roll, cut, bag, and take to tip. Gripper strips add $2-4/m2 if not reused. |
| Floating laminate / click-lock | $8 - $15 | Unclip and stack. Fast. Underlay comes up with it. Dispose of both. |
| Vinyl plank (click-lock / floating) | $8 - $15 | Similar to floating laminate. Fast removal. |
| Vinyl plank (glue-down) | $15 - $25 | Adhesive residue stays on the slab. May need grinding or scraping before new floor. |
| Vinyl sheet (glued) | $12 - $22 | Comes up in sections. Adhesive residue requires scraping. Pre-1990 properties: check for asbestos. |
| Ceramic / porcelain tiles | $30 - $68 | Jackhammer or chisel. Slow, heavy, dusty. Concrete subfloor underneath often needs levelling after. |
| Nailed hardwood (timber strip) | $15 - $30 | Pry bar, circular saw, nail removal. Subfloor damage is common. |
| Glued hardwood / parquetry | $20 - $35 | Chisel-intensive. Adhesive residue on slab needs grinding. Slow work. |
| Cork tiles (glued) | $12 - $22 | Similar to vinyl sheet. Cork fragments make adhesive removal slower. |
Disposal: budget $150-$350 for a skip bin (2-4 m3) or $60-$120 per trailer load at the tip. Tile removal from a whole house can fill a 4 m3 skip on its own. Always include waste disposal as a separate line item or make clear it is included in the removal rate.
Asbestos warning: vinyl sheet, vinyl tiles, and tile adhesive in properties built before 1990 may contain asbestos. If you suspect asbestos, stop work and have it tested. Licensed asbestos removal costs $50-$150 per m2. Include an asbestos exclusion clause in every quote for older properties.
8. Waste calculation
Every flooring job produces offcuts. The waste percentage depends on room shape, installation pattern, and plank dimensions. Underestimate waste and you run short mid-job, causing a delay while you order more (and the next box may be a different batch, with a visible colour difference). Overestimate and you quote too high.
| Layout type | Waste allowance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rectangular rooms | 10% | 80 m2 measured area = order 88 m2 |
| L-shaped rooms, hallways, many doorways | 15% | 80 m2 measured area = order 92 m2 |
| Diagonal lay | 15% | Angled cuts at every wall produce more unusable offcuts |
| Herringbone pattern | 15 - 20% | Each plank is cut at 45 degrees; short offcuts rarely fit elsewhere |
| Chevron pattern | 15 - 20% | Similar to herringbone; manufacturer-specific chevron planks reduce waste slightly |
| Staircase | 15 - 20% | Each tread and riser is a separate cut; nosing generates additional waste |
Always round up to the next full box. A box of hybrid planks typically covers 2.0-2.5 m2. If your calculation says 89.3 m2 and each box is 2.2 m2, you need 41 boxes (90.2 m2). Keep 2-3 spare planks from each job for the customer in case a board needs replacing later. This is a small cost that prevents a callback.
How to quote waste: calculate your total area (measured area + waste percentage), price the materials on the total area, and show the customer the measured area and the waste allowance as separate figures. Transparency builds trust. "80 m2 measured + 10% waste = 88 m2 ordered" is a line item the customer accepts because it makes sense.
9. Material markup
When you supply and install, your materials carry a markup. This is standard and expected. The markup covers your time sourcing, ordering, receiving delivery, checking for defects, handling returns, and the warranty risk of standing behind the product.
| Material category | Typical markup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring planks / carpet / sheet | 15 - 30% | Higher markup on budget products (small absolute margin); lower on premium where the dollar margin is already healthy |
| Underlay | 20 - 40% | Low unit cost, so the markup needs to cover handling time |
| Adhesive and levelling compound | 20 - 35% | Heavy, consumable. Price per bag/bucket plus your time |
| Trims, transitions, nosings | 25 - 50% | Small, fiddly items. Each one needs measuring, cutting, and fitting. Markup covers the per-piece handling |
| Moisture barriers | 25 - 40% | Rolls are cheap; the markup covers correct installation and overlap taping |
| Scotia / quad / beading | 25 - 50% | Finishing items. High markup is justified by the precision fitting time |
If a customer supplies their own materials, increase your labour-only rate by 15-20% to compensate for the lost material margin. You still carry the risk of working with materials you did not choose, and you lose the ability to manage quality and warranty through your supply chain.
10. Floor sanding and polishing
Floor sanding and polishing is a common add-on or standalone job for flooring installers who specialise in timber. If you offer this service, quote it separately from installation.
| Service | Cost per m2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sand and water-based polyurethane (3 coats) | $35 - $50 | Budget/standard finish. Dries fast, low odour, lighter colour |
| Sand and oil finish (hardwax oil) | $45 - $60 | Mid-range. Matte, natural look. Popular on spotted gum and blackbutt |
| Sand and solvent-based polyurethane (3 coats) | $40 - $55 | Traditional high-gloss finish. Stronger odour, longer cure time |
| Sand, stain, and polyurethane | $55 - $70 | Premium. Custom colour stain adds a step and requires test patches |
| Buff and recoat (no full sand) | $20 - $35 | Maintenance option for floors in reasonable condition. Light abrasion + 1-2 coats |
| Board repairs (before sanding) | $10 - $20 extra/m2 | Replacing damaged boards, filling gaps, re-nailing loose boards |
Whole-house example: sanding and polishing a 90 m2 hardwood floor with water-based polyurethane runs $3,150-$4,500 at $35-$50/m2. Add $900-$1,800 for board repairs if the floor is in poor condition. Metro pricing (Sydney, Melbourne) sits 10-20% above these figures.
Drying time matters for scheduling. Water-based poly needs 2-4 hours between coats and is walkable after 24 hours. Solvent-based needs 8-12 hours between coats and is fully cured after 7 days. Oil finishes need 24-48 hours between coats. Factor cure time into your scheduling and make it clear on the quote: "Floor will be inaccessible for X days during the coating process."
11. Transitions, trims, and extras
Transitions and trims are the items that separate a professional install from a DIY job. Quote them as individual line items. Customers see the value when they see the detail.
| Item | Cost per linear metre or per unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transition strip (T-bar, reducer, end cap) | $15 - $35/lm | Between rooms, between floor types, at sliding doors. Material-matched aluminium or timber |
| Scotia / quad moulding | $8 - $18/lm | Covers expansion gap at skirting boards. Colour-matched to flooring |
| Stair nosing | $25 - $60 per tread | Safety-critical on open staircases. Aluminium or timber, slip-rated |
| Door bar / threshold strip | $20 - $45 each | At external doorways, wet-area boundaries. Stainless, brass, or aluminium |
| Door trimming (undercut) | $15 - $30 per door | Most floating floors raise the finished height. Doors need undercutting to clear |
| Skirting board removal and refit | $5 - $12/lm | Removing skirtings before install and refitting after. Higher if skirtings are fragile or painted |
| New skirting boards (supply + install) | $15 - $35/lm | When existing skirtings are damaged or the customer wants to upgrade |
| Furniture moving | $150 - $400 per room | Heavy furniture (pianos, wardrobes, fridges). Usually excluded from standard quotes |
12. Licensing requirements by state
Flooring licensing varies by state and by the type of flooring work. Non-structural flooring (floating floors, carpet, vinyl) is largely deregulated across Australia. Structural flooring (nailed hardwood to joists) may require a carpentry or building licence. Floor sanding is typically unregulated as a standalone trade.
| State / Territory | Non-structural flooring | Structural flooring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Deregulated since 2009 | Contractor licence for work >$5,000 | Non-structural flooring removed from Home Building Act. Structural timber flooring (to joists) still regulated under carpentry. |
| VIC | Registration >$5,000 | Registration through VBA >$5,000 | Domestic builder registration required for flooring work valued over $5,000 (labour + materials inc GST). |
| QLD | QBCC licence >$3,300 | QBCC licence >$3,300 | Floor covering is a licensed trade class. Includes laying carpet, vinyl, timber, and laminate. |
| SA | No specific licence | Building work licence for structural | Floor finishing (sanding, polishing) is a separate licence class in SA. Carpet and vinyl laying is unregulated. |
| WA | No specific licence | Building licence for structural work | Floor coverings are generally unregulated. Major renovation work may need to be done under a licensed builder. |
| TAS | No specific licence | Licence under CBOS for structural | Non-structural flooring is unregulated. Structural work requires licensing through Consumer, Building and Occupational Services. |
| ACT | No specific licence | Registration with planning authority | Non-structural flooring is unregulated. Structural building work requires appropriate class of licence. |
| NT | No specific licence | Building practitioner registration | Flooring work is generally unregulated. Building work over $12,000 requires a registered practitioner. |
Regardless of licensing requirements, carry public liability insurance ($10-$20M) and have your ABN visible on every quote. Commercial clients and builders increasingly require a Certificate III in Flooring Technology (CPC31420) as a competency standard, even where it is not a legal requirement. The cert demonstrates you meet the Australian Quality Framework standard for the trade.
13. Compliance and standards
Flooring work touches several Australian Standards and building code requirements. Knowing them protects you from warranty claims and disputes.
- AS 1884 (Resilient sheet and tile flooring, laying and maintenance): the primary standard for vinyl, linoleum, cork, and rubber flooring. Specifies subfloor flatness (3mm in 3m), moisture limits, adhesive requirements, and installation method. Follow this for every vinyl and sheet job.
- AS/NZS 2455 (Textile floor coverings): the standard for carpet installation. Covers stretching, seaming, adhesive bonding, and underlay requirements.
- AS 1684 (Residential timber-framed construction): relevant when nailing hardwood flooring to timber joists. Specifies joist spacing, fastener requirements, and structural fixing.
- BCA / NCC Volume 2 (Class 1 and 10 buildings): sets performance requirements for moisture management in floors, including damp-proof membranes and ventilation under suspended timber floors.
- Manufacturer warranties: most flooring manufacturers void the warranty if the product is installed on a subfloor that exceeds the stated moisture or flatness tolerance. Document your moisture readings and flatness checks at the measure visit. This documentation protects you if a warranty claim arises.
- Asbestos awareness: any property built before 1990 may contain asbestos in vinyl flooring, tile adhesive, or backing materials. Under WHS regulations, you must hold asbestos awareness training (minimum) and cannot remove more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos without a Class B licence. Include an asbestos exclusion clause in all quotes for pre-1990 properties.
- Slip resistance: commercial flooring and wet-area residential flooring must meet slip resistance requirements. AS 4586 (Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials) classifies floors from P0 to P5 (pendulum test) and R9 to R13 (ramp test). Wet areas typically need P3/R10 minimum. Specify the slip rating on the quote for bathroom, laundry, and commercial installations.
14. Worked example: whole-house hybrid flooring, Brisbane
A customer in Brisbane wants to replace carpet throughout a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom house with hybrid/SPC flooring. The house was built in 2005 (post-asbestos era). The subfloor is a concrete slab. You measure the rooms and check the subfloor at the same visit.
Site details
- 3 bedrooms: 12 m2 + 12 m2 + 10 m2 = 34 m2
- Living room: 25 m2
- Hallway: 8 m2
- Kitchen / dining: 18 m2
- Total measured area: 85 m2
- Subfloor: concrete slab, mostly flat, one low area in the living room (5mm dip over 2m, ~6 m2 needs levelling)
- Existing flooring: carpet and underlay throughout, gripper strips to remove
- 12 internal doors need undercutting
- Transitions: 6 doorway transitions between rooms and floor types (3 to tiled bathroom, 3 between rooms)
- Material: mid-range hybrid SPC, 6mm with attached underlay. Supply price to you: $38/m2. You quote the customer at $48/m2 (26% markup).
Quote build
| Line item | Quantity | Rate | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet and underlay removal + gripper strip removal | 85 m2 | $10/m2 | $850.00 |
| Skip bin (carpet and underlay disposal) | 1 x 3 m3 | $250 | $250.00 |
| Self-levelling compound (living room low area) | 6 m2 | $40/m2 | $240.00 |
| Moisture barrier (polyethylene film, full slab) | 85 m2 | $3/m2 | $255.00 |
| Hybrid SPC flooring, 6mm, mid-range (supply) | 94 m2 (85 + 10% waste) | $48/m2 | $4,512.00 |
| Installation labour (floating click-lock) | 85 m2 | $35/m2 | $2,975.00 |
| Transition strips (T-bar, colour-matched aluminium) | 6 units | $28 each | $168.00 |
| Scotia / quad moulding (perimeter) | 72 lm | $12/lm | $864.00 |
| Door trimming (undercut) | 12 doors | $20 each | $240.00 |
Totals
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $10,354.00 |
| GST (10%) | $1,035.40 |
| Total (inc GST) | $11,389.40 |
Quote analysis
- Fully loaded rate: $11,389.40 / 85 m2 = $133.99/m2 inc GST (or $121.81/m2 ex GST). This sits in the mid-range of the $60-$135/m2 benchmark for hybrid SPC supply and install.
- Material cost to you: 94 m2 x $38 = $3,572 supply. Customer pays $4,512. Material margin = $940 (26.3% markup, $11.06/m2 gross profit on materials).
- Labour revenue: $2,975 installation + $850 removal + $240 levelling + $240 door trimming + $168 transitions + $864 scotia = $5,337 in labour and service items.
- Days on site: day 1 = carpet removal + levelling (compound cures overnight); day 2-3 = lay flooring in bedrooms, hallway, living; day 4 = kitchen/dining + transitions + scotia + door trimming. 4 days solo, or 3 days with an offsider.
- Daily revenue: $10,354 / 4 days = $2,588.50/day ex GST. Strong day rate for a solo installer in Brisbane.
Arithmetic verification
- Line items: $850 + $250 + $240 + $255 + $4,512 + $2,975 + $168 + $864 + $240 = $10,354.00 ✓
- GST: $10,354.00 x 0.10 = $1,035.40 ✓
- Total: $10,354.00 + $1,035.40 = $11,389.40 ✓
- Fully loaded per m2: $11,389.40 / 85 = $133.99 ✓
- Material waste: 85 x 1.10 = 93.5, rounded up to 94 m2 ✓
- Material markup: ($48 - $38) / $38 = 26.3% ✓
15. Presenting the quote
A clear quote closes more jobs than a low price. Customers compare the detail, not just the total. Here is what to include:
- Header: your business name, ABN, licence number (where required), contact details, public liability insurance reference
- Customer details: name, property address, phone, email
- Scope description: "Supply and install hybrid SPC flooring to 3 bedrooms, hallway, living room, and kitchen. Remove existing carpet. Level subfloor in living room. Trim 12 doors. Install transition strips at 6 doorways and scotia moulding to all perimeters."
- Material specification: brand, product name, colour, thickness, wear layer, and slip rating (for wet areas)
- Line items: each line with quantity, rate, and subtotal (as shown in the worked example)
- Totals: subtotal ex GST, GST, total inc GST
- Payment terms: 30% deposit on acceptance, 70% on completion is standard. For larger jobs, add a progress payment at 50% completion.
- Quote validity: 14-30 days. Material prices fluctuate, so keep it tight.
- Estimated start date and duration
- Exclusions: asbestos removal, structural subfloor repair, furniture moving (unless quoted), appliance disconnection, painting, curtain/blind removal, and any work outside the specified rooms
- Warranty: state the manufacturer's product warranty and your installation warranty separately. "Installation warranty: 12 months covering workmanship defects. Product warranty: per manufacturer (typically 15-25 years residential for hybrid SPC)."
Send the quote within 48 hours of the measure. Follow up at 2, 5, and 10 days. The first installer to send a clear, detailed quote wins more jobs than the cheapest quote sent a week later.
Frequently asked questions
How much does flooring cost per square metre in Australia?
Flooring costs vary by material. Laminate runs $55-100 per m2 supply and install, hybrid/SPC $60-135 per m2, vinyl plank (LVP) $65-120 per m2, engineered timber $90-200 per m2, solid hardwood $120-280 per m2, and carpet $55-200 per m2. Subfloor levelling adds $25-75 per m2 where needed. Old flooring removal adds $8-35 per m2 depending on what is being removed.
How much do flooring installers charge per hour?
Flooring installers charge $55-100 per hour in 2026, with most residential work sitting in the $65-85 range. Sydney and Melbourne are at the top ($70-100), Adelaide and Hobart at the lower end ($55-80). Most flooring jobs are quoted per square metre rather than hourly, as per-square-metre pricing gives both the installer and the customer a clear number for the scope.
Do I need a licence to install flooring in Australia?
Non-structural flooring (floating floors, carpet, vinyl) is largely unregulated in most states. In NSW, non-structural flooring work has been deregulated since 2009. In Queensland, flooring work over $3,300 may require a QBCC licence. Victoria requires registration through the VBA for work over $5,000. Structural flooring (nailed hardwood to joists) may fall under carpentry licensing. A Certificate III in Flooring Technology (CPC31420) demonstrates competence and is increasingly expected by commercial clients.
How long does it take to install flooring?
A solo installer can lay 20-30 m2 per day of floating floor (hybrid, laminate, engineered click-lock) in a clear room. Glue-down vinyl runs 15-25 m2 per day. Nailed solid hardwood runs 10-20 m2 per day. Carpet stretches faster at 30-50 m2 per day. A 90 m2 whole-house hybrid install takes a solo installer 4-5 days including removal and prep.
How much extra flooring should I order for waste?
Order 10% extra for standard rectangular rooms, 15% for hallways and L-shaped rooms, and 15-20% for herringbone, chevron, or diagonal patterns. Always round up to the next full box. Keep 2-3 spare planks for future repairs.
Should I quote supply and install or labour only?
Supply and install is the standard for residential work. You control material quality, earn a 15-30% markup, and avoid warranty disputes about whether the product or the installation caused a problem. Labour-only works when the customer has already purchased materials or when a builder is supplying. Quote labour-only at a higher per-square-metre rate to compensate.
What subfloor preparation costs should I include?
Common line items: self-levelling compound ($30-75/m2), moisture barrier ($2-5/m2 for poly film, $20-40/m2 for epoxy), foam underlay ($5-10/m2), plywood overlay ($20-40/m2), and sanding ($10-20/m2). Always inspect the subfloor before quoting and show preparation as a separate line item.
How do I handle asbestos under old flooring?
If the property was built before 1990, assume vinyl sheet, vinyl tiles, and backing materials may contain asbestos. Include an exclusions clause in every quote for pre-1990 properties. Licensed asbestos removal costs $50-150 per m2. You cannot remove more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos without a Class B licence under WHS regulations.
Quote flooring jobs faster with FlowSpec
FlowSpec is voice-to-Xero quoting built for Australian tradesmen. Speak your line items during the measure, your price list fills in the numbers, and the quote lands in Xero ready to send. Setup takes under two minutes.