Herringbone cost at a glance
In 2026, most published Australian figures put installed oak herringbone between about $160 and $320 per m², depending on the product, the job and the city. The table below brings together the ranges published by retailers and installers. Figures are in AUD and generally include GST unless the source says otherwise.
| Cost item | Typical range (per m²) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Raw solid French oak herringbone, 710 × 126 × 18mm – supply | $94.99 incl. GST (retail list price) | SET Timber Supplies, Melbourne Timber Supplies |
| Engineered oak herringbone – supply | About $79–$160 | Skov, Artafloor |
| Engineered oak herringbone – installed | About $160–$320 | Artistic Wood Floor, Imperial |
| Herringbone labour – standard | About $60–$100 | The Flooring Guys |
| Herringbone labour – complex (borders, angles) | About $90–$120+ | The Flooring Guys |
| Sanding and coating | About $30–$70 | WhatsTheDamage |
The labour figures come from a guide first published in 2023, so treat them as a floor rather than a ceiling in 2026. None of these are quotes.
What a solid oak herringbone floor costs, line by line
For raw 18mm solid oak herringbone, the core costs are supply plus waste, laying labour and on-site sanding and coating – roughly $195–$300/m² before subfloor preparation and adhesive, using the published ranges above. This is an illustrative build-up, not a quote:
| Line | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply (at $94.99/m² retail) | $94.99 | $94.99 | Retail list price incl. GST |
| Waste allowance (10–15%) | +$9.50 | +$14.25 | Rule of thumb; installer confirms |
| Laying labour | $60 | $120 | Standard vs complex |
| Sanding and coating | $30 | $70 | Raw parquet only |
| Indicative subtotal | ~$195 | ~$300 | Before prep, adhesive, borders, removal |
Add subfloor preparation, levelling, moisture barrier, adhesive, borders, trims, removal of old flooring and stairs as separate items. Our parquet installation cost guide lists each one.
What drives herringbone cost
The biggest cost drivers are the product (solid or engineered, grade, finish), the condition of the subfloor and the complexity of the layout.
| Driver | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Solid vs engineered | Solid can be sanded many times; raw solid needs on-site finishing. See solid vs engineered herringbone |
| Grade | Prime grade (cleanest look) usually costs more than rustic grades. See oak flooring grades |
| Raw vs pre-finished | Raw adds sanding and coating but gives a seamless, site-finished surface |
| Block size | Larger blocks can lay faster per m² but may cost more to supply |
| Subfloor | Grinding, levelling and moisture control can add significantly |
| Layout | Borders, diagonals, many rooms and doorways add labour and waste |
| Location and access | Labour rates vary by city; apartments and upper floors add handling |
Herringbone vs other floors
Herringbone costs more to install than straight-laid floors because of the extra labour and waste, but solid oak herringbone can last for decades with resanding.
| Floor type | Typical installed cost (per m²) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid / SPC | About $55–$120 | WhatsTheDamage |
| Solid Australian hardwood boards (e.g. spotted gum, blackbutt) | About $120–$367, by city | HH Timber Floors, D&G |
| Engineered oak herringbone | About $160–$320 | See table above |
| Raw solid oak herringbone, sanded and coated | Build up from supply + labour + finishing | See table above |
For a broader comparison of all floor types, see timber flooring cost in Australia.
Getting an accurate herringbone quote
An accurate quote needs a site measure, a subfloor check and a clear finish specification – a per-m² figure alone is not enough. When you request or prepare a quote, make sure it covers:
- Measured area and waste allowance, with the pattern direction and any borders shown on a plan.
- Subfloor condition – slab moisture readings and flatness, or the state of the existing timber subfloor.
- Product details – species, grade, block size (for example 710 × 123 × 18mm), solid or engineered, raw or pre-finished.
- Finish system – oil, hardwax oil or polyurethane, number of coats and sheen.
- Exclusions – furniture moving, skirting, stairs, appliance disconnection and disposal.
Note that retail list prices for "710mm" herringbone can refer to different widths – the benchmark above is 126mm wide, while Timbo's block is 123mm – so compare products on the same specification.
A note on GST
Australian GST is 10%. Retail flooring prices are usually shown including GST; trade and installer quotes are often shown excluding GST. When comparing quotes, put them on the same basis – a $100/m² ex-GST price is $110/m² including GST. Ask each supplier to state GST treatment on every line.
How Timbo pricing works
Timbo is a trade supplier, so its prices are not published. Flooring businesses get wholesale pricing once they accept the partner terms – see trade pricing. Homeowners get a supply-and-install price from a Timbo partner, who measures the job, confirms quantities and quotes the full scope.
To estimate quantities before quoting, use how many boxes of flooring. Timbo's Solid Oak Herringbone Parquet comes in 710 × 123 × 18mm (about 1.4 m² per box) and 820 × 123 × 18mm. For the design side, read the herringbone flooring guide.
Sources
- SET Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak 710×126×18mm: setimbersupplies.com.au
- Melbourne Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak 710×126×18mm: melbournetimber.com.au
- Skov – Herringbone flooring prices Australia: skov.com.au
- Artafloor – Engineered timber herringbone cost: artafloor.com.au
- Artistic Wood Floor – Timber flooring cost Melbourne 2026: artisticwoodfloor.com.au
- Imperial Flooring Australia – Herringbone flooring cost guide 2026: imperialflooringaustralia.com.au
- The Flooring Guys – Herringbone flooring cost in Australia (2023): theflooringguys.com.au
- WhatsTheDamage – Flooring cost and timber floor sanding cost: whatsthedamage.com.au
- HH Timber Floors – Timber flooring cost Sydney: hhtimberfloors.com.au
- D&G Floors – Spotted gum flooring: dgfloors.com
Frequently asked questions
How much does herringbone flooring cost per m² in Australia?
Why is herringbone more expensive to install than floorboards?
Each block is laid individually, the pattern must be set out from a centre line, and every perimeter block is cut at an angle. That takes more time and produces more waste than straight-laid boards.
Is solid oak herringbone more expensive than engineered?
Not always on supply price – raw solid French oak herringbone is listed at $94.99/m² incl. GST, within the engineered range. But raw solid parquet needs sanding and coating after installation, which adds about $30–$70/m².
Do herringbone prices include GST?
Retail prices in Australia are usually quoted including 10% GST, while trade prices are often quoted excluding GST. Always check the quote.
How much waste should I budget for herringbone?
As a rule of thumb, about 10–15% for herringbone, and more for borders and awkward rooms. Your installer confirms the allowance after measuring.
Can I buy herringbone direct from Timbo?
Timbo is a trade supplier and doesn't sell direct to homeowners. Homeowners buy through a Timbo partner; flooring businesses can apply for wholesale pricing.
What is the cheapest way to get a herringbone look?
Hybrid or laminate products printed or laid in herringbone cost less upfront, but they can't be sanded and refinished like solid oak. Compare lifespan, not just the first price.