How much does timber flooring cost?
When it comes to the price of timber flooring, it can be difficult to see the trees for the forest (excuse the pun). The internet has revolutionised the way we check pricing to see if a product is being offered competitively, but unfortunately there remains some businesses that will only provide half the information or worse still, misleading information when it comes to what they are offering (or excluding) for their “very special price”. In recent years there have been examples of solid timber flooring offered for $119 m2 “fully installed” and in some cases even $109 m2! The old saying “if it’s too good to be true” certainly applies here. The reality is, to achieve this price the quality has to be compromised somewhere.
There are generally a number of corners that are cut to get down to a price level like this. These can include;
- Providing timber that is narrower, has shorter lengths or a lower grade than the customer expects
- Using less skilled installers and sanders who don’t understand what is required to install and sand a timber floor correctly
- Using inadequate installation products or cutting back on the volume of installation products used
When deciding to purchase a timber floor, it is important to get all the information about what you are purchasing, so there are no surprises and you know what to expect. Here are some good questions to ask to be sure you’re getting what you expect;
- Is this a real timber floor, or a reproduction of a timber floor? (some people call laminate or vinyl plank floors “timber floors” and there are big differences between the prices of these products and solid timber)
- What is the timber width, grade and expected timber lengths of the flooring?
- Who are the installers? What are their qualifications? Are they accredited members of the ATFA? (Australasian Timber Flooring Association)
- What method will be used to install the floor? Is it plank on ply, direct stick, or a floating floor? Which coating system is to be used and how many coats will be applied?
- How long has the business been operating? Does the sales person answer questions honestly and with good detail? There have been instances where companies have ceased trading only to open up with new trading names. If a business has very little history, there may be an alarming reason.
Purchasing a timber floor for your home is an investment. A good timber floor will increase the value of your home. For that reason, you want to be clear on the floor you purchase. In reality, it’s difficult to pin point a cost to supply and install a timber floor without understanding the preferences of a customer and assessing the home to understand exactly what will be required. Therefore, any price offered “fully installed” should be considered an estimate until a qualified trades person has assessed the area for installation and provided a written proposal. As a guide though, here’s some indicative pricing on what you might expect to pay in the different timber flooring categories;
- Solid timber flooring – from $130 m2 to $250 m2 (Commonly around $180 to $190m2)
- based on direct stick installation
- Engineered timber flooring
- Based on floating installation from $105 m2 to $150 m2 (commonly around $110 to $130 m2)
- Based on direct stick installation from $130 m2 to $200 m2 (commonly around $140 to $160 m2)
- Vinyl Plank / Rigid Plank timber flooring – from $60 m2 to $90 m2 (commonly around $70-$80m2)
- Laminate timber flooring – from $55 m2 to $90 m2 (commonly around $60-$80m2)
From time to time businesses will have sales offering genuine savings. The main thing to consider is; are they explaining why the product is cheaper so you know exactly what you are buying? Most flooring stores will offer special pricing on timber and other flooring products for a variety of reasons. There are some great opportunities to get a stunning floor at a reduced cost if you look hard enough. Just make sure you ask the right questions to ensure you a get a great timber floor and not a lemon!