Installation Costs for Engineered Timber Flooring in Perth: What to Expect

Choosing the colour of your floor is exciting. Evaluating installation prices? Expect an additional $70 to $150 per square metre.

This includes:

• The cost of preparing your subfloor
• An experienced craftsman to install your floor
• Matching and installing trim finishes
• Cutting in tight around cabinetry and wardrobes

In this guide, you’ll see exactly what to expect when evaluating the installation costs of your engineered timber flooring.

Before You Install

It’s crucial that, before you install engineered timber flooring, your subfloor (concrete slab, timber joists, or particleboard) has to be practically flat.

Otherwise, you risk uneven boards that won’t join together, large hollow spots that creak when you walk over them, damaging your entire floor and voiding its warranty.

In Australia, the flatness of your subfloor must not exceed 3mm under a 3m straight edge, as per the ATFA guidelines.

Simply put, to protect your timber floor from instant damage, your subfloor needs to be flat.

Some homeowners hire floor prep contractors to do this, Lifewood offers a full, in-house service with floor prep and installation to keep your project under one roof.

How Much Does Subfloor Preparation Cost?

It depends on the size and condition of your timber floor area, but most Perth homeowners spend between $2000 and $8000 ($30-$60 per m2) for subfloor preparation.

This involves:

• Surface Grind: The entire area is lightly grinded to remove built up residue, smooth out bumps, and create a subtle roughness for new adhesives to grab onto.

• Patching: Low spots that exceed 3mm are filled with a cement based self-levelling compound so the entire surface is consistently flat.
• High Spot Grind: Large humps in your subfloor are removed with a 7-9 inch handheld grinder and feathered out to create a smooth transition to the surrounding floor.

Speak with one of our flooring experts to get an instant estimate on your prep and installation

Average Installation Cost of Engineered Timber Flooring

There are three main methods of installing engineered timber flooring (Floating, direct stick, and nail-down) and each one requires a unique set of skills.

Floating and direct stick are the most common installation methods in modern day.

*These are straight row installation prices. Decorative patterns cost more due to extra labour and wastage.

Extra Costs You Might Encounter

Some projects require additional preparation or services:

Average Price Range by Project

• Supply: $209/m2 x 25m2 = $5,225
• Delivery = $250
• Installation: $50/m2 x 25m2 = $1250
• Total: $6,725

Example 2 – Floating, 60m2 Bedrooms and Study

• Supply: $239/m2 x 60m2 = $14,340
• Floor Prep: $45/m2 x 60m2 = $2,700
• Delivery = $500
• Installation: $40/m2 x 60m2 = $2,400
• Skirting Board Installation: $30/lm x 50lm = $1500
• Total: $21,440

Example 3 – Direct Stick, 200m2 Two-Storey Home with Stairs

• Supply: $269/m2 x 200/m2 = $53,800
• Full Prep: $50/m2 x 200/m2 = $10,000
• Installation: 60/m2 x 200/m2 = $12,000
• Stairs: $450 x 16 = $7,200
• Total: $83,000

How to Maintain Your Engineered Timber Floor for a Lifetime of Use

The best way to save is by making your installation more efficient without cutting corners. Here’s how:

• Remove old flooring. Save on labour costs by taking up old carpet, underlay, or other easy to lift flooring yourself.
• Do the easy prep yourself. If you’re handy, take off skirting boards and clean the subfloor. Leave levelling to the pros as mistakes will cost more to fix.
• Time your purchase. Watch for sales like EOFY or Black Friday. Timber prices drop, and you’ll lock in premium boards for less.
• Choose standard board widths. Extra-wide or rare species can drive prices up. Popular sizes offer better value without losing quality.
• Keep the layout simple. Straight installs are fast and cheap. Use fancy patterns like herringbone only in feature rooms.
• Install over your existing floor. Most engineered timber can be installed on the top of your old surface, saving on demo labour.
• Lock in today’s price. Timber and transport costs often fluctuate. Paying a small deposit now can secure your price for up to 12 months.

Summary

Installing engineered timber flooring in Perth typically costs $70–$150 per m², covering subfloor prep, trims, and skilled labour.

The total price depends on the condition of your subfloor, the area of timber floor to be installed, and the installation method itself.

Subfloor preparation can add $30–$60 per m², with full projects ranging from $7K to $80K+.

To save money, remove old flooring yourself, handle basic prep, buy during sales, choose standard board widths and straight layouts, or install over existing floors.

Premium installers like Lifewood provide in-house prep and installation, just speak with one of our timber flooring experts for a comprehensive quote

Author Profile
Matthew Barker, Lifewood’s Master Copywriter, crafts the voice behind the world’s most revolutionary timber floor — Stabilised Solid. His intense curiosity guides readers through a clear, purposeful journey with stories that fuel their minds. Matthew studies human nature with a scientific eye to understand exactly what drives people to decide, and has developed a commitment to showing them the best of the world.