Why builders use a Timbo trade account
Builders use Timbo to get dependable supply of Prime grade European solid oak parquet for custom homes, extensions and high-end renovations, without importing it themselves or paying retail. You order by purchase order for each job, with no container minimum, and your flooring subcontractor installs.
Demand is there. Australian dwelling approvals were up 10.3% year on year in August 2026, with Victoria up 8.9% (ABS). The value of alterations and additions approvals rose 14.0% (HIA). In New Zealand, home consents were up 21% to 41,268 in the year to August 2026 (Stats NZ).
Builder pain points, and how Timbo helps
| Pain point | How Timbo helps |
|---|---|
| Floor selections change late and stock isn't available | Melbourne stock; availability and lead time confirmed when you order |
| Client-supplied flooring causes delays and disputes | Supply through your own trade account and control the product |
| Importing for one house isn't viable | No container minimums |
| Hard to show clients the real product | Free samples for client selection meetings |
| Paperwork for every supplier | One email PO per order, with clear defect and damage-claim windows |
Programming the floor
Timber flooring is one of the last trades in a build, and it's sensitive to what happens before it. Plan for these points.
Slab drying
Concrete slabs take months to dry. In New Zealand, a 100mm slab can take four months or more to dry (PlaceMakers). BRANZ guidance for solid timber on slab is ≤75% relative humidity at the slab surface (BRANZ BU644). In Australia, slabs need to be flat (about 3mm over 3m) and protected with a moisture barrier or moisture-barrier adhesive, within the adhesive manufacturer's limits (Bowens). Test early so flooring doesn't hold up handover.
Sequence
- Building enclosed, windows in, wet trades (plaster, tiling, painting first coats) finished.
- Slab moisture tested and recorded.
- Parquet delivered and stored inside, flat and off the floor.
- Installation, then sanding and finishing if the stock is raw.
- Floor protected before final trades and cleans.
Read moisture content for timber flooring for the numbers your flooring contractor will work to.
Compliance points builders ask about
- Bushfire (AS 3959): the standard regulates elevated subfloors and flooring exposed to radiant heat. It does not generally cover internal floors over a slab (WoodSolutions). See timber flooring in bushfire areas.
- Slip resistance: under the NCC, stair treads need P3 (dry) or P4 (wet) ratings, but level internal floors aren't generally mandated. The finish determines the rating (SlipTest).
- Legal timber: Australian importers need a due-diligence system under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act (DAFF). Ask Timbo what documentation is available for your project file.
Helping clients choose at selections
Most flooring decisions are made at the selections meeting, so bring the real product. Free samples let clients see Prime grade oak next to their joinery, benchtops and paint colours, and compare herringbone with chevron at full block size rather than on a screen.
Give clients a realistic budget range early. As a market guide, Melbourne retailers list raw solid French oak herringbone at about $94.99/m² incl. GST for supply only (SET Timber Supplies), and herringbone installation labour is typically $60–$100/m², or more for complex layouts (The Flooring Guys). Sanding and coating adds about $30–$70/m² (WhatsTheDamage). Your own price will reflect your trade pricing, margin and subcontractor rates.
After installation, protect the floor with breathable covering until handover, and give the owner care instructions so the floor is handed over in the condition it was laid.
Product summary for builders
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species and grade | European oak, Prime grade |
| Construction | 18mm solid, tongue and groove |
| Herringbone sizes | 710 × 123 × 18mm; 820 × 123 × 18mm |
| Coverage | 710mm box: 16 panels ≈ 1.4 m²; 820mm: confirmed on order |
| Other patterns | Chevron (continuous V), pattern parquet |
| Finish | Raw or pre-finished depending on batch – confirmed on order |
If you also develop multi-unit projects, see our page for developers. Homeowners building with you can browse the oak flooring range before selections.
Frequently asked questions
Can a builder open a trade account with Timbo?
Yes. Builders are one of the partner types in the Timbo program. Apply with your business details and the kind of projects you build.
Do I need my own flooring installer?
Yes. Timbo supplies but doesn't install. Use your regular flooring subcontractor, or ask us to connect you with a Timbo installer partner in your area.
Can Timbo deliver to a building site?
Freight from Melbourne is quoted per order, including to site. Put the site address, requested delivery date and site contact on the purchase order, and make sure someone is there to receive and inspect the goods.
When should the parquet arrive on site?
After the building is enclosed and wet trades are finished, so the timber is stored and installed in conditions close to how the home will be lived in. Your installer will set the acclimatisation approach.
Is 18mm solid oak suitable for a slab-on-ground house?
It can be, if the slab is dry, flat and prepared to the adhesive manufacturer's requirements. Slab drying time often decides the programme, so test early. See our slab installation guide.