Jul 28, 2021
Flooring
Laying the groundwork to lay down new floors starts with design and ends with price. With costs averaging from $300-$650, we’re here to help you learn about every factor that can affect the cost along the way so you can balance beauty and budget.
From carpet to concrete and everything in between, homeowners have more options than ever when it comes to flooring. But timber flooring stands out as a durable and beautiful option that also offers a great deal of versatility.
But here’s the catch - not all timber is created equal.
This stylish natural product has as much variety as the trees and materials that they come from. And when you add staining and finishes to the mix, you end up with a wide variety of timber flooring options and price points to choose from.
Before you decide to upgrade the floors in your home to timber, it’s extremely important to understand all of the costs that come with it.
This includes:
And all of these can contribute to a long-lasting floor. With so many options to choose from, we’ll walk you through everything you need to consider when calculating the timber flooring cost for your Sydney home.
Absolutely not.
Many people like to generalise and say that they have “timber” or “hardwood” floors, but few floors are created equal. All of the nuances, from rarity of materials to installation method, have a direct impact on costs, too.
Check out a few examples of different timber flooring below (or click here to explore our stunning gallery of timber flooring projects):
As the name implies, these are planks honed down in solid pieces from trees.
They have a warm, natural feel but require a bit of maintenance to keep them looking like new. Hardwoods themselves vary depending on the tree, and the pricing is largely dictated by how in demand or rare the timber is.
Common hardwoods used in Sydney homes include:
Also considered a timber flooring, these boards are made by pressing together many layers of wood together, a process that makes them much more durable.
A layer of actual wood, in the type and finish of your choosing, is lined on top to give it a real wood look. And because they are not actually solid hardwood, they tend to be less expensive.
While there are certainly less expensive forms of flooring, it stands to reason that you can also expect to get the lifespan and quality of whatever you pay for.
Timber stands out as a great option for homes throughout Australia for the following exciting benefits.
You can expect your hardwood flooring to last at least 10 years and up without needing sanding or recoating. In contrast, carpeting in high traffic spaces in a home may only last 5 years.
Timber floors are also easier to clean and don’t hold onto grime or stains the way that carpeting or other flooring materials absorbs whatever falls on them. Especially for homes with pets or children, wood flooring is easier to keep hygienic and less likely to hold onto strange smells.
Wood floors can give rich tones and subtle design without cornering you into a colour palate. As your tastes change, swapping out curtains and couches can be done without worrying about matching a carpet or quirky tile colour.
Timber flooring will add the most equity to a home when it comes to resale (estimated to be between 3% to 5%). Buyers are attracted to the aesthetic just as much as they are to the low maintenance and cleanliness. Studies have shown timber flooring has a resale value of up to 80%, compared to engineered flooring which only offers 60% ROI.
Alright, by now you know that the type of timber can affect the timber flooring cost.
But what else can you expect to impact the price you’ll pay to upgrade your floors?
Are you flooring just a few square metres or the entire ground level of your home? How much space you need to cover will directly affect the cost you’ll pay. You’ll need a certain amount of material and extra on hand to account for any damage or creative cuts that have to be made.
Let’s take an even closer look at how the type of wood matters. While most hardwood flooring will range from $115 to $195 per square metre, the range is broad because it represents a wide species variety.
For example, you might pay $120 to $140 per square metre for Blackbutt flooring, which is in high demand and considered more luxurious. In contrast, bamboo flooring is more sustainable and easier to source, coming in at a supply price of between $60 to $90 per square metre.
If you choose a raw hardwood such as Jarrah or Spotted Gum, you’ll probably want to finish them to match your home. This can be done with stains, sealants, and protective coatings. To prep the surface for this, you’ll also pay for sanding before the finish can be applied.
From laying the boards to sealing in your stain, installation costs should be factored into your overall timber flooring cost.
Engineered hardwoods are a bit easier to lay since they use a floating installation method of interlocking boards. This makes the process a lot faster. Hardwoods, on the other hand, can take a bit longer with a direct installation to the subfloor with glue and nails.
Cost of installation is obviously largely determined by the size of the space. Larger spaces will be more costly to install. That said smaller spaces naturally incur a greater cost per square meter.
You’ll have a few line items on your flooring estimate as you calculate the timber flooring cost for your home.
For hardwood, expect to spend $120 to $160 which will cover materials and installation.
We’ve put together the table below to give you an idea of average costs here in Sydney. A professional flooring installer should also provide you with an itemised quote. This will help make sure all of your requirements are accounted for in advance with an accurate price.
| Type | Average Price (per square metre) |
| Hardwood Flooring | $115 to $195 |
| Engineered Flooring | $75 to $200 |
| Floating Installation | $50 to $130 |
| Direct Installation | $100 to $160 |
| Sanding & Coating | $40 to $65 |
| Staining/Wood Wash | $30 to $50 |
Timber flooring has the advantage of being durable and long lasting. However, if you have a mishap in your home, you should be able to get them repaired by a professional.
Maintenance-wise, you won’t have too much to worry about.
You can keep your floors clean on a regular basis with a vacuum or dusting. If your finish begins to dull, there are products designed to be applied by the homeowner, but we would recommend rather having the floor professionally abraded and re-coated. . For more well-worn floors, a professional can come in to sand and polish your existing floors for between $35 to $65 per square metre on average, depending on the condition of the flooring.
As you price out the timber flooring cost for your home, you’ll want to make sure that you choose the right professional installer.
Here are some questions to ask:
Whether you want luxury or long-lasting flooring, timber can be a great enhancement to your home. With different options in material and finish, timber flooring can have a custom look that caters to any design needs. Of course, the higher end you go with your timber type, the more you’ll spend.
On average, timber flooring cost will come in between $120 to $160 for hardwood materials and installation. But extras, including sanding or staining, can increase this cost. Be sure to ask about any extra costs before you make a decision so there are no surprises when you get the bill for your new floors.
At Sydney Floor Sanders, we believe in 100% customer satisfaction and upfront, accurate pricing for every job. We’re experts in timber flooring and can work with you to recommend staining, sanding, polishing, and products that can bring your flooring vision to life on budget and on time.
Our team is fully insured, professional, and ATFA accredited, which means you can count on our workmanship and approach to any flooring project. We’ve upgraded flooring for homes in Sydney for nearly 70 years.
To learn how we can help you with yours, book a free flooring consultation or call us on 1300 767 909.
