Flooring Installation Costs in Australia (2025) Ultimate Guide

When planning a new floor, the two biggest costs are materials and installation.Understanding how much you’ll spend — and what can increase the price — will help you budget with confidence and avoid surprises.

1. Average Flooring Installation Costs by Type

(Prices per square metre, excluding GST unless noted)

Flooring Type	Supply-Only Cost	Standard Installation Cost	Total (Straight Lay)
Hybrid Flooring	$30 – $65	$35 – $50	$70 – $115
Laminate Flooring	$25 – $50	$30 – $45	$55 – $95
Engineered Timber	$65 – $150	$55 – $75	$120 – $200 +
Vinyl Planks	$35 – $65	$35 – $50	$65 – $110
Solid Timber (Raw)	$90 – $200	$70 – $120	$150 – $250+
Wool Carpet	$60 – $150	$25 – $45	$85 – $195
Nylon Carpet	$30 – $80	$25 – $45	$55 – $125

💡 These are straight lay installation prices. Decorative patterns cost more due to extra labour and wastage.

2. Herringbone & Chevron Installation Costs

Herringbone and chevron flooring create a luxury designer look, but they require precise cuts, more waste, and extra installation time.Expect to pay 30–50% more in labour costs compared to a straight lay.

Flooring Type	Herringbone Installation Cost	Chevron Installation Cost
Hybrid Flooring	$55 – $75	$60 – $80
Laminate Flooring	$50 – $70	$55 – $75
Engineered Timber	$75 – $110	$90 – $120
Vinyl Planks	$55 – $75	$60 – $80
Solid Timber (Raw)	$110 – $160	$115 – $165

Example: A 40m² hybrid floor at $50/m² supply + $40/m² install (straight lay) = $3,600 total.The same in herringbone at $65/m² install = $4,200 total.

3. Extra Costs You Might Encounter

Some projects require additional preparation or services:

Item / Service	Typical Cost (per m²)	Notes
Old Floor Removal	$10 – $25	Carpet, vinyl, tiles
Subfloor Levelling	$25 – $60	Using self-levelling compounds
Moisture Barrier	$5 – $10	Often for concrete subfloors
Underlay	$5 – $15	If not pre-attached
Skirting Board Replacement	$8 – $20 (per lm)	Linear metre pricing
Floor Adhesive	$12 - $15	Material cost for direct glue down
Stair Installation	$80 – $250 per step	More complex & time-consuming
Subfloor Grinding & Sanding	$10 - $20	Often for concrete and particleboard subfloors
Flooring Trims & Finish Detail Work	Varies	Discuss finishing options with an Installer, no set rates apply but are minor costings

4. Factors That Affect Flooring Installation Costs

• Pattern & Complexity – Straight lay is fastest; herringbone & chevron take longer.

• Room Shape – Open spaces are cheaper to install per m² than small, cut-heavy rooms.

• Material Type – Solid timber requires sanding, finishing, and precision cuts.

• Subfloor Condition – Uneven or damaged subfloors must be repaired before laying boards.

• Location – Metro areas usually have higher labour rates than regional towns.

5. Real-World Price Examples

Example 1 – Standard Hybrid Flooring, 50m² Living/Dining

• Supply: $50/m² × 50m² = $2,500

• Installation: $40/m² × 50m² = $2,000

• Carpet removal: $15/m² × 50m² = $750

• Total: $5,250

  
  

Example 2 – Chevron Engineered Timber, 25m² Bedroom

• Supply: $90/m² × 25m² = $2,250

• Installation: $95/m² × 25m² = $2,375

• Moisture barrier: $5/m² × 25m² = $125

• Total: $4,750

6. Tips to Save Money on Flooring Installation

• Do your own prep work – Remove old flooring and furniture beforehand.

• Order extra wisely – 10% extra for straight lay, 15-20% for herringbone or chevron.

• Combine projects – Install multiple rooms in one job to reduce labour call-out fees.

• Stick to simpler patterns – If budget is tight, use feature patterns only in key areas.

• Get multiple quotes – Prices can vary significantly between installers.

7. Summary

Flooring installation costs in Australia vary greatly depending on material, pattern, preparation needs, and location.

• Straight Lay is the most affordable.

• Herringbone & Chevron cost more but add luxury appeal.

• Preparation work (levelling, moisture barriers, removal) can significantly change the final bill.

Investing in quality materials and expert installation ensures your floor lasts for decades — making it worth doing right the first time.

Whisper Oak Herrigbone Flooring installed in a direct glue down method by Imperial Flooring Australia