By Tony Chalhoub, founder of CarpetAce and a flooring installer for more than 20 years.
Engineered timber prices per m² (supply only, inc GST)
| Timber | Supply price per m² |
|---|---|
| Engineered oak, plank | from $89 |
| Engineered oak, herringbone | from $89 |
| Engineered Australian species, plank | about $130 |
| Engineered Australian species, herringbone | about $130 |
We supply and install engineered timber from Greenwoods and Terra Mater. Our mobile showroom brings the boards to your home so you can see them in your own light. Browse our timber flooring ranges.
Installation and extras (inc GST)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Floating installation | $28/m², plus $6/m² underlay |
| Direct stick installation | $35/m², plus $15/m² adhesive |
| Herringbone installation | Quoted at your free measure |
| Remove and refit skirting (no scotia needed) | $20/m² |
| Scotia or quad beading instead | $10/m² |
| Take up and dispose of old carpet | about $8/m² |
| Furniture moving | $8/m² |
| Small-job charge (jobs under 20 m²) | $450 |
| Apartment or body corporate building | 10% of the quote |
| Floor preparation and levelling, removing old tiles, timber or vinyl, stairs, trims and door trimming | Quoted at your free measure |
Edge finishes, installation and underlay or adhesive are charged on the measured floor area. The timber itself includes an 8% allowance for offcuts.
Floating or direct stick? A floating floor clicks together over an underlay, so it is quicker and costs less to install. A direct-stick floor is glued to the subfloor, so it feels more solid and sounds quieter underfoot. We recommend the method at the measure, based on your subfloor and any building rules.
Example: a 40 m² living and dining area
Skirting removed and refitted. Floor preparation, removal of an old hard floor and stairs are quoted at the measure.
| Timber | Supply (43.2 m² with offcuts) | Floated | Direct stick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered oak, plank | from about $3,840 | from about $6,000 | from about $6,640 |
| Engineered Australian species, plank | about $5,620 | about $7,780 | about $8,420 |
Scotia instead of refitted skirting saves about $400. In an apartment or body corporate building, add 10%.
Timber compared with other hard floors
Prices per m², including GST. The 40 m² column includes 8% offcuts and refitted skirting, before floor preparation.
| Floor | Supply per m² | Installation per m² | 40 m² supplied and installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | about $40 | $28 | about $3,650 |
| Vinyl plank, 5mm | about $45 | $28 | about $3,860 |
| Hybrid, 7mm | $45 | $28 | about $3,860 |
| Hybrid, 8.5mm | $55 | $28 | about $4,300 |
| Hybrid, 9.7mm | $65 | $28 | about $4,730 |
| Engineered oak, floated | from $89 | $28 + $6 underlay | from about $6,000 |
| Engineered oak, direct stick | from $89 | $35 + $15 adhesive | from about $6,640 |
See our hybrid flooring price guide for the Terra Mater Resiplank range.
What changes the price
- The subfloor: every hard floor needs a flat, sound base. We check it at the measure and quote any levelling.
- The old floor: carpet comes up for about $8/m²; old tiles, timber or vinyl are quoted at the measure.
- Pattern: herringbone takes longer to set out and cut, so its installation is quoted at the measure.
- Edges: refitted skirting ($20/m²) gives a cleaner finish than scotia ($10/m²). We don’t paint, so your painter touches up the skirting afterwards.
- Access and size: apartments add 10%, and jobs under 20 m² carry a $450 small-job charge.
Why we measure before we quote
In most flooring stores, the salesperson who quotes never lays the floor. At CarpetAce your job is measured and quoted by people who install floors. We prepare the subfloor properly and remove and refit your skirting, so no scotia is needed. You get a written quote by email within 24 hours of the measure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does engineered timber flooring cost per square metre in Melbourne?
At CarpetAce, engineered oak starts at $89/m² and engineered Australian species are about $130/m², supply only, including GST. Installation adds $34/m² floated (with underlay) or $50/m² direct stick (with adhesive).
How much does it cost to put timber floors in a 40 m² living area?
From about $6,000 for engineered oak, floated, with the skirting removed and refitted. Direct stick is from about $6,640. Floor preparation is quoted at the measure.
Is herringbone more expensive than planks?
The boards cost the same per m². Installation is quoted at the measure because herringbone takes longer to lay.
How does timber compare with hybrid on price?
For 40 m², 8.5mm Resiplank hybrid is about $4,300 supplied and installed, against about $6,000 for floated engineered oak.
Do you charge to measure and quote?
No. The measure and quote are free, and the written quote arrives by email within 24 hours of the measure.
More price guides
See our carpet price guide and our hybrid flooring price guide.