# Parquet installation cost – a quoting guide for flooring businesses

> How to quote parquet installation in Australia line by line: removal, slab prep, levelling, adhesive, labour, borders, sanding and coating, with cited ranges.

- URL: https://timbo.com.au/guides/parquet-installation-cost
- Publisher: Timbo (https://timbo.com.au) – trade supplier of European oak floorboards to partners in Australia and New Zealand
- Last updated: 2026-10-14
- Contact (email only): partnerships@timbo.com.au

## Key facts

- Herringbone laying labour: about $60–$100/m² for standard jobs and $90–$120+/m² for complex layouts.
- Sanding and coating raw parquet: about $30–$70/m².
- Slabs are commonly expected to be flat within about 3mm over 3m before gluing parquet.
- Adhesive and moisture-barrier choice is governed by the adhesive maker's limits for the slab.
- State GST treatment on every line – AU GST is 10%.

## 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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/flooring-retailers) and [installers](https://timbo.com.au/partners/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](https://bowens.com.au/blog/hardwood-timber-flooring)) |
| 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](https://setimbersupplies.com.au/product/raw-herringbone-french-oak-710x126x18mm/)) | Waste about 10–15% for herringbone (rule of thumb) |
| 9 | Laying labour | Per m² | About $60–$100 standard; $90–$120+ complex ([The Flooring Guys](https://theflooringguys.com.au/herringbone-flooring-cost-in-australia-2023-a-comprehensive-guide/)) | 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](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/)) | 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](https://bowens.com.au/blog/hardwood-timber-flooring)). See [installing parquet over a concrete slab](https://timbo.com.au/guides/installing-parquet-over-concrete-slab).

Moisture also matters for the timber: install within about ±2% of the expected in-service equilibrium moisture content ([WoodSolutions](https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-wiki/moisture-guide)). Quote time for testing and acclimatisation – see [acclimatising oak flooring](https://timbo.com.au/guides/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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/expansion-gaps-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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/trade-pricing).

**Become a Timbo partner:** Wholesale pricing, free samples and marketing support for flooring businesses in Australia and New Zealand. → https://timbo.com.au/pages/be-our-business-partner

## Sources

- The Flooring Guys – Herringbone flooring cost in Australia (2023): [theflooringguys.com.au](https://theflooringguys.com.au/herringbone-flooring-cost-in-australia-2023-a-comprehensive-guide/)
- WhatsTheDamage – Timber floor sanding cost: [whatsthedamage.com.au](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/)
- SET Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak 710×126×18mm: [setimbersupplies.com.au](https://setimbersupplies.com.au/product/raw-herringbone-french-oak-710x126x18mm/)
- Bowens – Hardwood timber flooring: [bowens.com.au](https://bowens.com.au/blog/hardwood-timber-flooring)
- WoodSolutions – Moisture guide: [woodsolutions.com.au](https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-wiki/moisture-guide)

## 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](https://theflooringguys.com.au/herringbone-flooring-cost-in-australia-2023-a-comprehensive-guide/)). 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](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/)). 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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/trade-pricing) or [apply to become a partner](https://timbo.com.au/pages/be-our-business-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.

## Related pages

- [Herringbone flooring cost in Australia (2026)](https://timbo.com.au/guides/herringbone-flooring-cost-australia) – What herringbone flooring costs in Australia in 2026: supply, labour and installed prices per m² for solid and engineered oak, what drives cost, and GST.
- [Installing parquet over a concrete slab](https://timbo.com.au/guides/installing-parquet-over-concrete-slab) – How to install solid oak parquet over a concrete slab in Australia: flatness (~3mm/3m), moisture testing, barriers and adhesives, setout, gluing and finishing.
- [European oak parquet for flooring retailers and showrooms](https://timbo.com.au/partners/flooring-retailers) – Add Prime grade European solid oak herringbone and chevron to your showroom without importing. Wholesale pricing, free samples and marketing support.