# Timber flooring cost in Australia (2026)

> Timber flooring and floorboard costs in Australia for 2026: supply and installed prices per m² for hardwood, engineered oak, parquet and hybrid, plus GST.

- URL: https://timbo.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-australia
- 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

- Solid Australian hardwood (e.g. spotted gum, blackbutt): about $55–$130/m² supply and $120–$367/m² installed, varying by city.
- Hybrid / SPC flooring: about $55–$120/m² installed.
- Engineered oak herringbone: about $79–$160/m² supply and $160–$320/m² installed.
- Raw solid French oak herringbone is listed at $94.99/m² incl. GST by Melbourne retailers.
- Sanding and coating: about $30–$70/m²; Australian GST is 10%.

## 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](https://dgfloors.com/spotted-gum-flooring/), [HH Timber Floors](https://hhtimberfloors.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-sydney/) |
| Engineered oak herringbone | About $79–$160 | About $160–$320 | [Skov](https://www.skov.com.au/herringbone-flooring-prices-australia/), [Imperial](https://www.imperialflooringaustralia.com.au/post/herringbone-flooring-cost-guide-2026) |
| Raw solid French oak herringbone (710 × 126 × 18mm) | $94.99 incl. GST (retail list) | Add labour and finishing | [SET Timber Supplies](https://setimbersupplies.com.au/product/raw-herringbone-french-oak-710x126x18mm/) |
| Hybrid / SPC | – | About $55–$120 | [WhatsTheDamage](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost/) |
| Sanding and coating (any solid timber) | – | About $30–$70 | [WhatsTheDamage](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/) |

For a detailed herringbone breakdown, see [herringbone flooring cost in Australia](https://timbo.com.au/guides/herringbone-flooring-cost-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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/how-many-boxes-of-flooring) |
| 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](https://www.pfc.com.au/janka-rating-floor-durability/)). 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](https://archipro.com.au/products/finishes/flooring/wood-flooring/timber-flooring/material-oak)).
- **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](https://www.flooringexpert.com.au/european-oak-vs-australian-hardwood/)), prized for its even grain and the way it takes a finish.

Construction differences are compared in [solid vs engineered oak](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-vs-engineered-oak) and hardness in the [Janka hardness chart](https://timbo.com.au/compare/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](https://timbo.com.au/compare/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](https://hhtimberfloors.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-sydney/)). 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](https://hia.com.au/our-industry/newsroom/economic-research-and-forecasting/2026/06/approvals-reflect-good-momentum-heading-into-2026)) – 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](https://timbo.com.au/guides/moisture-content-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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/find-a-partner). Flooring businesses can [apply for wholesale pricing](https://timbo.com.au/pages/be-our-business-partner). For more on choosing a floor, read the [floorboards buying guide](https://timbo.com.au/guides/floorboards-buying-guide-australia).

**Buying floorboards for your home?:** Timbo partners supply and install our European oak floorboards. Find one near you. → https://timbo.com.au/partners/find-a-partner

## Sources

- D&G Floors – Spotted gum flooring: [dgfloors.com](https://dgfloors.com/spotted-gum-flooring/)
- HH Timber Floors – Timber flooring cost Sydney: [hhtimberfloors.com.au](https://hhtimberfloors.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-sydney/)
- Skov – Herringbone flooring prices Australia: [skov.com.au](https://www.skov.com.au/herringbone-flooring-prices-australia/)
- Imperial Flooring Australia – Herringbone flooring cost guide 2026: [imperialflooringaustralia.com.au](https://www.imperialflooringaustralia.com.au/post/herringbone-flooring-cost-guide-2026)
- SET Timber Supplies – Raw herringbone French oak: [setimbersupplies.com.au](https://setimbersupplies.com.au/product/raw-herringbone-french-oak-710x126x18mm/)
- WhatsTheDamage – Flooring cost; timber floor sanding cost: [whatsthedamage.com.au](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost/)
- PFC – Janka rating and floor durability: [pfc.com.au](https://www.pfc.com.au/janka-rating-floor-durability/)
- Flooring Expert – European oak vs Australian hardwood: [flooringexpert.com.au](https://www.flooringexpert.com.au/european-oak-vs-australian-hardwood/)
- ArchiPro – Oak timber flooring: [archipro.com.au](https://archipro.com.au/products/finishes/flooring/wood-flooring/timber-flooring/material-oak)
- HIA – Approvals reflect good momentum heading into 2026: [hia.com.au](https://hia.com.au/our-industry/newsroom/economic-research-and-forecasting/2026/06/approvals-reflect-good-momentum-heading-into-2026)

## 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](https://hhtimberfloors.com.au/guides/timber-flooring-cost-sydney/), [D&G](https://dgfloors.com/spotted-gum-flooring/)).

### Is timber flooring more expensive than hybrid?

Usually, yes, upfront. Hybrid is published at about $55–$120/m² installed ([WhatsTheDamage](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost/)). 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](https://whatsthedamage.com.au/flooring-cost-brisbane/timber-floor-sanding-cost/)).

### 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](https://timbo.com.au/partners/find-a-partner). Timbo sells to the trade only; partners supply and install and quote the full job.

## 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.
- [Floorboards buying guide Australia 2026](https://timbo.com.au/guides/floorboards-buying-guide-australia) – Floorboards buying guide for Australia 2026: solid, engineered, hybrid or laminate, plus species, grades, patterns, subfloors, finishes and costs per m².
- [Solid oak vs hybrid flooring: lifetime cost, feel, water resistance and which to choose](https://timbo.com.au/compare/solid-oak-vs-hybrid-flooring) – Solid oak vs hybrid flooring compared – upfront and lifetime cost, sanding, feel, sound, water resistance and which suits your home in Australia or New Zealand.