Why installers partner with Timbo
Installers partner with Timbo to win supply-and-install parquet jobs with a premium product they can collect or have delivered in project quantities. You earn on both the material and the labour, and you control the job from quote to final coat.
Herringbone labour is skilled work. Typical Australian rates are about $60–$100/m² for standard herringbone and $90–$120+/m² for complex layouts (The Flooring Guys). Adding supply lets you quote the whole floor instead of competing on labour alone.
Installer pain points, and how Timbo helps
| Pain point | How Timbo helps |
|---|---|
| Clients supply cheap or mixed-grade parquet and blame the installer | You supply Prime grade solid oak yourself and know what's in the box |
| Inconsistent block dimensions make set-out harder | One specification per product: 710 or 820 × 123 × 18mm herringbone |
| Waiting weeks for an import | Order from Melbourne stock; lead times confirmed when you order |
| Short of a few boxes mid-job | Order again by email PO or pick up by appointment in Altona North |
| No marketing time | Use Timbo product content and get listed in the partner directory |
| Homeowners can't find installers who do parquet | Website enquiries are referred to partners |
Technical notes for 18mm solid parquet
Timbo herringbone and chevron are 18mm solid European oak blocks with tongue and groove. These are the points that most often decide whether a job goes well.
Subfloor
On concrete, the slab must be flat, dry and clean. A common target is flatness within about 3mm over 3m, with a moisture barrier or a moisture-barrier adhesive, and the adhesive manufacturer's limits for slab moisture take priority (Bowens). In New Zealand, BRANZ guidance for solid timber on slab is ≤75% relative humidity at the slab surface (BRANZ BU644). Our slab installation guide goes step by step.
Moisture and acclimatisation
Timber moves with humidity. Australian interiors sit at roughly 8–14% equilibrium moisture content (EMC), and timber should be installed within about ±2% of the EMC it will reach in service (WoodSolutions). Measure the boards and the site before you start. See moisture content for timber flooring and acclimatising oak flooring.
Set-out and waste
Herringbone needs a centred set-out on the main sight line and even borders. Waste is higher than for straight boards, so agree the allowance before ordering. Our herringbone layout and waste guide covers set-out lines and border options. Leave perimeter expansion gaps as the adhesive and site conditions require.
Sanding and finishing
If the batch is raw, budget for sanding and finishing on site. That also lets you finish to the client's chosen tone. Timbo will confirm whether a batch is raw or pre-finished when you order.
Working out the order
Quote in m², order in boxes. For the 710mm herringbone:
| Measured area | Waste allowance (example) | Area to order | Boxes at ≈1.4 m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 m² | 10% | 22 m² | 16 |
| 40 m² | 12% | 44.8 m² | 32 |
| 80 m² | 10% | 88 m² | 63 |
Waste percentages here are examples only. You set the allowance for the room shape and pattern. For the 820mm size, Timbo confirms box coverage when you order.
Quoting a supply-and-install job
A clear quote protects your margin and avoids disputes later. Break it into lines the client can follow:
- Material: the m² of parquet including waste, at your sell price, with GST shown.
- Subfloor preparation: moisture testing, grinding or levelling, and a moisture barrier where needed.
- Adhesive and consumables.
- Installation labour: pattern, borders and any feature details.
- Sanding and finishing if the stock is raw, with the number of coats and the finish type.
- Freight or pick-up, and removal of the existing floor if it's in scope.
State what's excluded, such as skirting, door trimming and furniture moving, so the client compares like with like.
Receiving stock on site
Check every delivery against the docket, open a few boxes, and store the stock dry, flat and off the ground in an enclosed room after wet trades have finished. Report any defect to Timbo within 3 days of receipt with photos. The full receiving checklist is in delivery and lead times.
Frequently asked questions
Can an installer without a showroom become a Timbo partner?
Yes. Installers and flooring contractors are one of the partner types we work with. You don't need a showroom. Samples and Timbo's product content help you sell supply-and-install jobs from your van or website.
Is Timbo parquet glued or nailed?
Solid parquet blocks like Timbo's 18mm tongue-and-groove herringbone and chevron are normally glued to a prepared subfloor. Follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions and the conditions of your specific job.
Can I collect stock from the warehouse?
Yes, by appointment. The warehouse is at Altona North, Melbourne (by appointment only). Email partnerships@timbo.com.au to book a pick-up time.
Is Timbo herringbone supplied raw or pre-finished?
It depends on the batch. Ask Timbo when you order. If it's raw, plan for on-site sanding and finishing in your quote and programme.
Who handles a defect claim with the homeowner?
You do, as the seller and installer. Report any defects to Timbo within 3 days of receiving the goods, with photos and order details, and we'll assess the claim with you.