Quote parquet line by line
A parquet quote should break the job into separate line items – removal, preparation, levelling, moisture control and adhesive, supply, laying, borders, finishing, trims and disposal – because these vary far more between jobs than the parquet itself. A single per-m² figure hides the risk, and it's usually the subfloor that blows the budget. This guide is written for flooring retailers and installers quoting solid oak parquet in Australia.
Quote template
Use this as a checklist when building a parquet quote. Published ranges are shown where reliable sources exist; everything else is priced per job.
| # | Line item | Unit | Published range / how to price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Removal of existing flooring | Per m² or per job | Price per job | Carpet, tiles, old timber, adhesive residue |
| 2 | Disposal | Per job | Skip or tip fees | Tiles and screed are heavy |
| 3 | Slab grinding and preparation | Per m² or per job | Price after inspection | Remove high spots, contaminants, old adhesive |
| 4 | Moisture testing | Per job | Price per job | Record readings on the job file |
| 5 | Levelling compound | Provisional sum | Price after inspection | Target flatness, commonly within about 3mm over 3m (Bowens) |
| 6 | Moisture barrier / primer | Per m² | Per manufacturer's system | Adhesive maker's limits govern |
| 7 | Adhesive | Per m² | Per manufacturer's coverage rate | Use the system specified for the slab |
| 8 | Parquet supply incl. waste | Per m² | Retail benchmark: raw solid French oak herringbone $94.99/m² incl. GST (SET Timber) | Waste about 10–15% for herringbone (rule of thumb) |
| 9 | Laying labour | Per m² | About $60–$100 standard; $90–$120+ complex (The Flooring Guys) | Pattern, room shape, number of doorways |
| 10 | Borders | Per lineal metre | Price per job | Extra set-out and cutting; border material separate |
| 11 | Sanding and coating | Per m² | About $30–$70 (WhatsTheDamage) | Raw parquet only; state system and coats |
| 12 | Trims, thresholds, skirting | Per lineal metre / each | Price per job | Including expansion-gap cover |
| 13 | Stairs | Per tread | Price per job | Slip-resistance requirements may apply |
| 14 | Furniture moving, appliances | Per job | Price per job | Often excluded – say so |
| 15 | Freight / delivery | Per order | Quoted per order | Timbo quotes freight from Melbourne per order |
All figures are AUD as published and generally include GST; the labour source dates from 2023. They're benchmarks, not quotes.
Subfloor preparation and levelling
Preparation is the most variable cost on a parquet job, so inspect before you quote and use provisional sums where you can't measure. Solid parquet glued to a slab needs a flat, clean, sound and dry surface. A common flatness target is within about 3mm under a 3m straightedge, and the adhesive manufacturer's moisture limits govern whether a moisture barrier is required (Bowens). See installing parquet over a concrete slab.
Moisture also matters for the timber: install within about ±2% of the expected in-service equilibrium moisture content (WoodSolutions). Quote time for testing and acclimatisation – see acclimatising oak flooring.
Adhesive and moisture barrier
Price the adhesive system the slab conditions require, not the cheapest adhesive. Depending on readings, that may be a standard parquet adhesive, a moisture-barrier adhesive, or a separate barrier/primer plus adhesive. Coverage rates and prices come from the adhesive maker. More detail is in adhesives and moisture barriers.
Laying labour and pattern complexity
Herringbone and chevron take longer to lay than straight boards because of set-out and angled cuts; borders, diagonals and broken-up rooms add more. The published standard range of about $60–$100/m² rises to about $90–$120+/m² for complex work.
| Job feature | Effect on labour |
|---|---|
| Open rectangular room | Base rate |
| Many doorways, hallways, L-shapes | More cuts – toward upper end |
| Border or feature panel | Extra set-out and fitting – add per lineal metre |
| Diagonal layout | More cuts and waste |
| Upper floors, apartments, poor access | Handling time |
Remember expansion gaps and how they'll be covered – see expansion gaps for solid parquet.
Sanding and coating raw parquet
Raw (unfinished) parquet needs sanding and coating after it's laid – about $30–$70/m² in published figures. Ask Timbo whether your batch is supplied raw or pre-finished before quoting. State the finish system on the quote – oil, hardwax oil or polyurethane, number of coats and sheen – so the client knows what they're getting. See sanding and finishing oak.
Waste and quantities
Quote the parquet supply with a waste allowance appropriate to the pattern – as a rule of thumb, about 10–15% for herringbone and chevron, more with borders. Timbo's 710mm herringbone box covers about 1.4 m² (16 × 0.710 × 0.123 = 1.397 m²). Work quantities out with how many boxes of flooring.
GST and margin
State GST on every line – Australian GST is 10%. Most retail clients compare GST-inclusive totals. Your margin sits between your trade cost and the price you quote; Timbo partners buy at wholesale prices after accepting the partner terms, so they can price competitively against retail benchmarks such as the $94.99/m² listing above. See trade pricing.
Sources
- The Flooring Guys – Herringbone flooring cost in Australia (2023): theflooringguys.com.au
- WhatsTheDamage – Timber floor sanding cost: whatsthedamage.com.au
- SET Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak 710×126×18mm: setimbersupplies.com.au
- Bowens – Hardwood timber flooring: bowens.com.au
- WoodSolutions – Moisture guide: woodsolutions.com.au
Frequently asked questions
What should a parquet installation quote include?
At minimum: removal of existing flooring, subfloor preparation, levelling, moisture barrier and adhesive, parquet supply with waste, laying labour, borders, sanding and coating (for raw parquet), trims and skirting, and disposal – each with GST treatment stated.
How much is labour to lay herringbone parquet?
Published figures put herringbone labour at about $60–$100/m² for standard installs and $90–$120+/m² for complex work (The Flooring Guys). That guide dates from 2023, so check current local rates.
Should I quote floor levelling per m² or per job?
Most installers inspect first and quote levelling per job or as a provisional sum, because the amount of compound and labour depends on how far out the slab is. Make the assumption clear on the quote.
How do I price sanding and coating raw parquet?
Published ranges are about $30–$70/m² (WhatsTheDamage). Price the finish system you'll actually use – coats, sheen and any anti-slip additive.
How do I price a border?
Borders are usually priced per lineal metre or as an extra labour item, because they add set-out, cutting and fitting time. Include border material separately.
Can I get trade pricing on parquet from Timbo?
Yes. Flooring businesses get wholesale pricing once they accept Timbo's partner terms. See trade pricing or apply to become a partner.
What are the most common quoting mistakes on parquet jobs?
Underestimating slab preparation, leaving out sanding and coating for raw parquet, using a straight-board waste allowance for herringbone, and not stating what's excluded.