Quick answer: solid hardwood flooring costs about $130–$255 per m² supplied and installed in Australia, and engineered timber about $100–$210 per m². For a 25 m² living room that’s roughly $3,300–$6,400 for solid hardwood or $2,500–$5,250 for engineered. These are supplied-and-laid prices; sanding and coating of site-finished boards is often quoted separately.
This guide brings together our solid timber, Sydney and Adelaide timber, blackbutt and oak flooring guides. For your own room, use our free flooring cost calculator.
Timber flooring cost by room
| Area | Engineered timber | Solid hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (≈12 m²) | $1,200–$2,500 | $1,550–$3,100 |
| Living room (≈25 m²) | $2,500–$5,250 | $3,300–$6,400 |
| Open-plan living (≈50 m²) | $5,000–$10,500 | $6,500–$12,800 |
| Whole single-level home (≈120 m²) | $12,000–$25,200 | $15,600–$30,600 |
Solid vs engineered timber
Solid hardwood is timber all the way through. It’s usually nailed or glued to the subfloor, can be sanded and refinished many times, and lasts for decades, but it costs more and moves more with humidity.
Engineered timber has a real timber top layer over a stable plywood or composite base. It’s often laid as a floating floor, handles temperature and humidity changes better, and costs less; the top layer limits how often it can be sanded. See our floating timber flooring guide.
Timber species
- Blackbutt — pale to honey-brown, stable in dry climates and widely available; the most popular Australian hardwood and usually mid-priced.
- Spotted gum — very hard and durable with a striking grain from light brown to chocolate; a premium choice for high-traffic homes.
- Oak — mostly imported European oak, usually sold as engineered boards; softer than Australian hardwoods but popular for wide, light-toned boards.
Species, grade (how much natural character is allowed) and board width all move the price within the ranges above; wide, clear-grade boards cost the most. Patterned floors such as herringbone add significant labour; see our herringbone flooring guide.
How timber compares
| Flooring | Per m² installed |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $45–$95 |
| Hybrid | $65–$120 |
| Engineered timber | $100–$210 |
| Solid hardwood | $130–$255 |
Timber flooring cost by city
| City | Engineered, per m² | Solid, per m² | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $110–$231 | $143–$281 | +10% |
| Darwin | $110–$231 | $143–$281 | +10% |
| Melbourne | $105–$221 | $137–$268 | +5% |
| Canberra | $105–$221 | $137–$268 | +5% |
| Brisbane | $100–$210 | $130–$255 | national average |
| Perth | $100–$210 | $130–$255 | national average |
| Gold Coast | $100–$210 | $130–$255 | national average |
| Adelaide | $95–$200 | $124–$242 | −5% |
| Hobart | $95–$200 | $124–$242 | −5% |
City figures are approximate: they apply a regional adjustment to the national range rather than measured local prices, so confirm with local quotes.
Local tips
Sydney: humid summers and coastal salt favour stable species such as spotted gum and blackbutt; acclimatise boards before laying. Adelaide: dry conditions suit blackbutt well; spotted gum is a harder-wearing premium option for busy family homes.
What’s not in the price
Timber has the most variables of the four floors, and installers price them differently. Ask quotes to itemise:
- Acclimatisation and moisture — boards need time to settle on site before laying, and slabs need moisture testing and often a barrier. Raised floors need adequate subfloor ventilation.
- Sanding, staining and coating — site-finished boards are sanded and coated after they’re laid, and some quotes list that separately from the boards and labour. Where it isn’t included, allow roughly $35–$70 per m² for sanding and coating.
- Subfloor and pest checks — laying over old bearers and joists is a good time to check for rot and termite damage; repairs aren’t part of a standard install price.
- Skirting and thresholds — new boards raise the floor height, so doors, skirting and transitions often need adjusting.
- Removal, stairs and clean-up — taking up the old floor, stairs (priced per step), furniture moving, delivery and waste.
For damaged boards, see our timber floor repairs guide; for upkeep, our timber floor cleaning guide.
FAQ
How much does timber flooring cost per m²?
About $100–$210 for engineered timber and $130–$255 for solid hardwood, supplied and installed.
Is engineered timber real timber?
Yes. The surface is real timber; only the layers underneath are different.
How long does timber flooring last?
Solid hardwood can last for generations with periodic sanding and recoating; engineered timber typically lasts decades, depending on the thickness of its top layer.
Estimate your own floor
Our free flooring cost calculator gives an instant range for timber and other floors by room size and city, using the same figures as this guide.
Related reading: Timber-Look Floor Tiles Guide Australia (2026) (timber-look tiles compared with engineered timber on cost and installation).
