Flooring costs per m² by material (Australia, 2026)
Supply + install benchmarks including GST and typical waste factors. Labour varies by state; see multipliers below.
Quick ranges (materials + labour)
| Material | All-in per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid / vinyl plank | $55 – $90 | Floating; fast to lay; great for rentals and wet areas (check ratings). |
| Engineered timber | $110 – $170 | Click or glued; needs careful acclimatisation; underlay extra. |
| Solid timber (prefinished) | $130 – $200 | Secret-nailed; sanding often not needed if prefinished. |
| Solid timber (raw, sand & polish) | $150 – $240 | Includes sanding and 2–3 coats. |
| Carpet (mid-range) | $45 – $80 | Includes underlay and standard gripper install. |
| Ceramic tile 300×300 | $95 – $150 | Higher labour due to more cuts/grout lines. |
| Porcelain tile 600×600 | $110 – $170 | Large format reduces joints; check substrate flatness. |
| Feature / mosaic | $150 – $250 | Labour-intensive; allow more waste. |
| Polished concrete | $120 – $190 | Dependent on existing slab quality and desired finish. |
Waste factors to include in take-offs
- Hybrid / vinyl: 7–10%
- Engineered timber: 8–10%
- Solid timber: 10–12%
- Tiles 600×600: ~8–10%; 300×300: 12–15%; mosaics/herringbone: 18–22%
- Carpet: room-based cuts dominate waste—plan per room, not just total m².
State labour multipliers (RenoCalc)
- NSW / ACT / VIC: baseline 1.00x
- QLD / SA: ~0.94–0.97x
- WA: ~0.90–0.93x (labour often lower, materials sometimes higher)
- Regional: expect travel and small-job loadings; add 5–12%.
Tip: In RenoCalc, add “Flooringâ€, choose the material, and let the app apply waste factors and labour multipliers automatically. Toggle strip-out if existing floors need removal.
Hidden costs to allow for
- Subfloor prep and levelling (tiles and vinyl need flatness).
- Moisture barriers for slabs.
- Trims, nosings, stair details, and skirting removal/refit.
- Furniture moves and site access (lifts, parking).
How to brief installers
- Provide measured plans with room names and edge conditions (skirting, transitions).
- Nominate underlay grade, direction of boards/tiles, and grout colour/width.
- Confirm removal/disposal scope and who handles acclimatisation.
- Request written exclusions (e.g., slab moisture issues, asbestos removal).