Timber flooring cost at a glance
Most timber floors in Australia cost somewhere between about $120 and $370 per m² installed in 2026, while hybrid floors cost less, at about $55–$120/m² installed. Figures are AUD, generally including GST, and come from published retailer and installer guides – not quotes.
| Floor type | Supply (per m²) | Installed (per m²) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Australian hardwood boards (spotted gum, blackbutt) | About $55–$130 | About $120–$367, by city | D&G, HH Timber Floors |
| Engineered oak herringbone | About $79–$160 | About $160–$320 | Skov, Imperial |
| Raw solid French oak herringbone (710 × 126 × 18mm) | $94.99 incl. GST (retail list) | Add labour and finishing | SET Timber Supplies |
| Hybrid / SPC | – | About $55–$120 | WhatsTheDamage |
| Sanding and coating (any solid timber) | – | About $30–$70 | WhatsTheDamage |
For a detailed herringbone breakdown, see herringbone flooring cost in Australia.
What you're paying for
A timber floor price is made up of the product, the installation, the subfloor work and – for raw timber – the on-site finish. Comparing only the supply price per m² is the most common budgeting mistake.
| Component | What it covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Boards or parquet, plus waste allowance | Waste is higher for patterns; see how many boxes |
| Subfloor preparation | Grinding, levelling, moisture barrier, repairs | Can be a large and variable item |
| Installation | Laying labour and adhesive or fixings | Parquet takes longer than straight boards |
| Finishing | Sanding and coating raw timber | About $30–$70/m² |
| Extras | Removal, skirting, trims, stairs, furniture | Often excluded from headline prices |
Solid hardwood, engineered oak and solid oak parquet
Solid timber costs more to install than hybrid but can be sanded and refinished many times; engineered timber sits in between, depending on wear-layer thickness.
- Solid Australian hardwood – species such as spotted gum and blackbutt are very hard (Janka about 11 kN and 9.1 kN respectively) (PFC). Commonly nailed or glued as straight boards.
- Engineered oak – a real oak top layer on a stable base; often preferred for apartments, renovations and slab installs (ArchiPro).
- Solid European oak parquet – 18mm solid oak blocks such as herringbone and chevron, usually glued to a slab. Oak is softer than the hard Australian species (Janka about 4.2–6.1 kN) (Flooring Expert), prized for its even grain and the way it takes a finish.
Construction differences are compared in solid vs engineered oak and hardness in the Janka hardness chart.
Cost over the life of the floor
Upfront price and lifetime cost are different things. A hybrid floor is cheaper to install but generally can't be sanded; when it is worn or damaged, it's replaced. Solid timber can be sanded back and recoated several times. When comparing, consider:
- How long the client plans to keep the floor.
- Whether a recoat or sand (about $30–$70/m²) could restore it instead of replacing it.
- The effect on resale appeal in the target market.
We don't publish lifetime-cost figures because they depend heavily on use and maintenance. See solid oak vs hybrid flooring for the trade-offs.
Regional differences
Installed timber flooring prices vary widely between cities. One Sydney-based guide shows installed solid hardwood ranging from about $120 to $367/m² across products and cities (HH Timber Floors). Labour availability, travel, apartment access and local demand all play a part. Renovation activity is strong – the value of alterations and additions approvals rose 14.0% (HIA) – which can affect installer availability in busy markets.
Ways to manage the budget
The best savings usually come from planning, not from choosing the cheapest product. Practical ways to keep a timber floor on budget:
- Fix the subfloor scope early. Slab moisture and flatness problems found on install day are expensive. Get readings during the quote – see moisture content in timber flooring.
- Keep the layout simple where it doesn't show. Run a pattern or border in the main living area and a simpler layout in bedrooms or robes.
- Choose the format for the room. Herringbone and chevron add labour and waste; straight boards are faster to lay.
- Order the right quantity once. Short orders cause delays and batch mismatches; over-ordering wastes money.
- Agree the finish up front. Changing from oil to polyurethane (or the reverse) mid-job adds cost.
- Bundle work. Laying several rooms in one go is usually cheaper per m² than staged jobs.
GST and quotes
Australian GST is 10%. Retail prices are typically shown including GST, while trade and installer quotes are often ex GST. Before comparing, convert everything to the same basis (ex GST × 1.1 = incl. GST) and make sure each quote covers the same scope.
How to buy Timbo floorboards
Timbo is a trade-only supplier of Prime grade European solid oak parquet, so pricing comes through partners. Homeowners get a full supply-and-install quote from a Timbo partner. Flooring businesses can apply for wholesale pricing. For more on choosing a floor, read the floorboards buying guide.
Sources
- D&G Floors – Spotted gum flooring: dgfloors.com
- HH Timber Floors – Timber flooring cost Sydney: hhtimberfloors.com.au
- Skov – Herringbone flooring prices Australia: skov.com.au
- Imperial Flooring Australia – Herringbone flooring cost guide 2026: imperialflooringaustralia.com.au
- SET Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak: setimbersupplies.com.au
- WhatsTheDamage – Flooring cost; timber floor sanding cost: whatsthedamage.com.au
- PFC – Janka rating and floor durability: pfc.com.au
- Flooring Expert – European oak vs Australian hardwood: flooringexpert.com.au
- ArchiPro – Oak timber flooring: archipro.com.au
- HIA – Approvals reflect good momentum heading into 2026: hia.com.au
Frequently asked questions
How much do timber floorboards cost per m² in Australia?
Solid Australian hardwood floorboards are published at about $55–$130/m² for supply and about $120–$367/m² installed, depending on species, product and city (HH Timber Floors, D&G).
Is timber flooring more expensive than hybrid?
Usually, yes, upfront. Hybrid is published at about $55–$120/m² installed (WhatsTheDamage). Solid timber can be sanded and refinished, so its cost is spread over a much longer life.
How much does it cost to sand and polish floorboards?
About $30–$70/m² for sanding and coating, depending on the condition, finish and job size (WhatsTheDamage).
Why do timber flooring prices vary so much between cities?
Labour rates, access, demand and local supply chains differ. One Sydney-based guide shows installed hardwood ranging from about $120 to $367/m² across cities and products.
Is European oak cheaper or dearer than Australian hardwood?
It depends on the format and grade. Raw solid French oak herringbone is listed at $94.99/m² incl. GST, inside the published range for solid Australian hardwood supply, but parquet costs more to lay than straight boards.
Do flooring prices include GST?
Retail prices are usually GST-inclusive; trade and installer quotes are often ex GST. Australian GST is 10%, so always check which basis a quote uses.
Where do I get a price for Timbo floorboards?
From a Timbo partner. Timbo sells to the trade only; partners supply and install and quote the full job.