How much does flooring cost? | 2024 cost guide

Article Summary

• What is the cost of flooring?
• Factors affecting your flooring project
• Types of flooring
• Cost of new floor installation by state in Australia
• Hiring a flooring installer
• Best flooring types by room 

What is the cost of flooring?

If you're wondering how much flooring costs, our guide will give you an estimate. On average the cost of flooring is anywhere from $23–$28 per m2. Wooden floors can cost from $40–$100 per square metre, whereas laminate floors can cost from $30–$40 per square metre. However, the costs will vary depending on the complexity of the job. 

Factors Affecting Your Flooring Project

Take the time to research your project before you begin to get quotes from floor installers by asking yourself: 

• What sort of traffic will my floor be getting? When you have kids, pets, or a high-traffic location, find a floating floor laminate that is sturdy and looks like real wood.
• What state is the surface of my ground? You need to be confident that the concrete foundation is even enough for fresh floorboards if you take off an existing floor cover. 
• Which kind of finish do I hope for? Think about the timber/laminate look and colour, and practicalities like floating floor surface stability and how it fits your lifestyle.

Types of Flooring

Flooring upgrades should be considered carefully, as there are many flooring options for your home.

Wooden Floors

Wooden floors are a very popular material for their style and for their durability. They stay warm underfoot in winter, and there is plenty of design inspiration for wooden floors. However, wooden floors need regular maintenance like sanding and sealing. On average, you would expect to pay around $100 per m2 for standard wooden floors. The final cost depends on the type of wood you choose and whether you choose to install patterns. A high-grade material can cost up to $200 per m2, whereas cheaper alternatives can cost as little as $50 per m2.

Floating Floors

Floating floors sit on top of most subfloor systems like concrete, vinyl, and tiles. Because of this, floating floors are usually cheaper as the current floor does not need to be stripped. Further, installation can be conducted quickly or even by DIY methods. Costs for floating floors vary greatly, starting from $20 per m2 all the way up to $100 per m2. Check if this price includes underlay ($15–$20/m2) in the total cost of the floorboards. 

The downside to floating floorboards is that they can not be sanded back when they become worn or damaged. They are also sensitive to moisture and humidity.

Laminate Timber Flooring

Laminate flooring is a type of floating floorboard with a thin layer of patterned plastic on top. These floors can cost you between $30/m2 and $40/m2. If you want to floor a small surface, like a laundry room or a bathroom, it may cost you around $210 for the floorboards. The cost is also influenced by the thickness of the material and the supplier. The benefits of installing laminate floors are:

• Less expensive than wooden floors and carpet
• Laminate floors are stain-resistant, durable, and easy to handle

Vinyl Floors

If you are a budget-conscious homeowner, consider vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is by far the cheapest to purchase ($5–$15/m2) and is made from a very durable material that does not require any maintenance.

Cost of New Floor Installation by State in Australia

The total expense of employing a contractor to install new flooring can be approximately $30 per m2. However, this amount will also vary due to various factors. On average, a flooring construction job will range from $22–$38 per m2 everywhere.

With around $23 per m2, the average cost of flooring in Victoria is more competitive than in the other states. Meanwhile, Queensland floor installers charge approximately $30 per m2. 

New South Wales flooring companies cost of around $33 per m2. This makes the state the most pricey location to install fresh flooring.

Be sure to carefully select skilled tradies for your work, so you can get the best out of your investment. Service.com.au has many floor installers equipped to take on the project at hand.

Hiring a Flooring Installer

When it comes to hiring a floor installer, take the time to make sure they're the right person for the work. Some things to ask include:

• Can I see some examples of your work?
• Do you have any references?
• Do you have the proper qualification and licences?
• Will you have insurance to operate in my home?
• How long will it take to finish the job?

Best Flooring Types by Rooms 

Kitchen Flooring 

A kitchen renovation has many costs involved, including flooring. In a kitchen, one of the best options is porcelain tiles. They're very easy to clean when there are spills or mess, and aren't susceptible to water damage.

Bathroom Flooring 

Porcelain tiles are also the perfect flooring for a bathroom. You will need to hire the right tradies to complete the job for your bathroom renovation. If you're not fond of the feeling of cold tiles in the morning, consider adding radiant floor heating to your bathroom renovation. 

Flooring for the Living Room 

Hardwood floors are the perfect flooring for living and dining rooms. Hardwood adds extra value to your house for a premium outcome. 

Get your quotes today.

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All the costs quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are to be used as an AUD cost guide and may vary locally, and are subject to market changes.