Two quotes for the same carpet can be hundreds of dollars apart. Usually that’s not because one store has a better price on the carpet. It’s because the quotes cover different things: how much carpet is allowed for, the underlay, the extras, and what happens on the day. Here’s how to compare them line by line.
Why quotes for the same floor differ
- How much carpet is allowed for. Most carpet comes off a roll 3.66 m wide, and some ranges are 4 m wide. A room wider than the roll needs a join and extra carpet for it, so a quote based only on the floor area can come up short. Our carpet price guide shows a worked example.
- What’s left out. Underlay, taking up the old floor, furniture moving, stairs and floor preparation can each be included, priced separately or not mentioned at all.
- Who measured. If the person who measures never lays floors, details such as joins, doorways, stairs and the state of the subfloor can be missed until the installer arrives.
- GST. Some prices are quoted without it.
What a complete quote should cover
Use this as a checklist for every quote you get. Our prices are from our carpet, timber, hybrid and carpet tiles price guides.
| Item | What to check | How we quote it |
|---|---|---|
| The carpet or flooring | Is carpet priced on the floor area, or on what has to come off the roll? | Carpet is priced on what comes off the roll, joins and trimming included. Hard floors include an allowance for offcuts. |
| Underlay | Is it included? Which brand and thickness? | New 10mm underlay for broadloom carpet, $6–$10/m², from Airstep, Underlay King or Airlay, as its own line. Carpet tiles don’t go on underlay. |
| Installation | Is it a rate per m²? Does it include adhesive or underlay? | Carpet $11–$13.60/m², depending on its weight. Hybrid, laminate and 5mm vinyl plank $28/m², underlay or adhesive included. Carpet tiles $15/m², adhesive included. Engineered timber $28/m² floating plus $6/m² underlay, or $35/m² direct stick plus $15/m² adhesive. |
| Taking up the old floor | Is removal and disposal included? | Old carpet and underlay about $8/m². Old carpet tiles $15/m². Ceramic tiles, timber or vinyl quoted at the measure. |
| Furniture | Who moves it, and is it charged? | Our team can move it for $8/m². |
| Stairs | Are they priced per step, per staircase or not at all? | Installation: carpet $600 per staircase on average (up to 16 steps), plus underlay; hybrid, timber, vinyl or laminate $1,600 per 16-step staircase. The carpet or flooring for the stairs is charged at its normal rate. |
| Edges for hard floors | Skirting or scotia? Who touches up the paint? | Skirting removed and refitted $20/m², or scotia $10/m². We don’t paint, so your painter touches up afterwards. |
| Floor preparation, trims and doors | Are they included, excluded or not mentioned? | Quoted at the measure, once we’ve seen the floor. |
| Small jobs | Is there a minimum charge? | A $450 small-job charge for jobs under 20 m². |
| Workmanship warranty | Is the installation guaranteed, for how long, and how do you claim? | 24 months on our installation workmanship, on top of your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. See our workmanship warranty. |
| GST | Is the price with or without GST? | All our prices include GST. |
Questions to ask before you choose
- Who measured my job, and will the same business answer for the installation?
- Is the carpet priced on the floor area or on what comes off the roll? Where will the joins go?
- Which underlay is included, and how thick is it?
- What isn’t included: old floor removal, furniture, stairs, floor preparation, door trimming?
- When will it be installed, and who tells me if that changes?
- Is the installation guaranteed, for how long, and who do I call if something isn’t right afterwards?
- Does the price include GST?
How we quote
We call you back the same business day to book a time, or the next business morning if you enquire after 5pm or on a Sunday. Our mobile showroom brings the samples to your home, we measure for free, and your written quote is emailed within 24 hours of the measure. Supply and installation normally takes one to two weeks from when you accept your quote and make payment, and the installation is guaranteed for 24 months under our workmanship warranty.
Want a figure first? Our instant price guide works out a price for your rooms in a few minutes. It’s a guide, not a quote: the final price is confirmed at the free measure. To see how we work from the measure to the final walk-through, read why choose CarpetAce.
Frequently asked questions
Why is one carpet quote so much higher than another for the same carpet?
Usually because the quotes cover different things. One may allow for the carpet that actually comes off the roll, joins included, and the other only the floor area. One may include underlay, removal of the old carpet and furniture moving, and the other may leave them out. Compare the quotes line by line, not just the total.
Should I compare quotes on the price per square metre?
Only as a starting point. The price per square metre of the carpet doesn’t tell you how many square metres you’re paying for, or what else is in the quote. Compare the total for the same job, with the same inclusions.
What isn’t usually included in a flooring quote?
It varies between stores. Floor preparation, door trimming and trims, and removing old hard floors such as tiles are often priced only after the floor has been seen. In our quotes they’re quoted at the free measure.
How long does supply and installation take?
Supply and installation normally takes one to two weeks from when you accept your quote and make payment. If the range you choose takes longer to arrive, we’ll tell you when we quote.
Do your prices include GST?
Yes. All our prices include GST.