Most Australian homeowners receive flooring quotes that are either so vague they're useless for comparison or so detailed they're confusing. The industry has no standard quote format. You may receive a single-line "supply and install 120m² hybrid flooring — $8,400" or a four-page document with itemised entries for every component. Neither extreme serves the homeowner well. Here's how to read any flooring quote and what you should require before signing.
The five elements every quote must contain
1. Product name and manufacturer — not "hybrid flooring" or "premium SPC" — the specific product name and manufacturer. This allows you to independently verify specifications and compare like-for-like across quotes. "Karndean Korlok 4.5mm" and "imported SPC hybrid" are not the same thing and cannot be compared.
2. Wear layer thickness in millimetres — stated explicitly. "Heavy duty" is not a specification. "0.5mm wear layer" is. If this is absent, ask for it in writing before proceeding.
3. Board thickness and dimensions — total board thickness in millimetres, plank width and length. Relevant for installation height calculations and for comparing quotes.
4. Supply and installation costs separated — some quotes combine these into a single per-m² rate. Ask for them separated. This allows you to verify both components against market rates independently.
5. Subfloor preparation scope — what preparation work is included, what is conditional on inspection, and what is excluded. This is the most common source of unexpected cost on flooring jobs.
The subfloor preparation variable
Subfloor preparation is the most significant unknown in any flooring quote. A quote that says "prepare subfloor as required" is an open-ended cost item. A quote that says "grind and fill to 3mm tolerance over 1.8m, moisture barrier included" is specific and comparable.
Ask every quoting retailer: "What preparation work is included in this price, and what would you charge extra for?" The answer tells you both the likely additional cost and the retailer's professional approach to the job.
What should be in the quote but often isn't
Waste allowance — cutting boards to fit a room wastes material. A standard waste allowance is 7–10% of the measured area. If the quote is based on exactly your room measurements with no waste allowance, you'll be short on material.
Underlift and disposal costs — removing existing carpet, vinyl or tiles has a cost. This should be itemised separately. "Includes removal of existing carpet" is acceptable. An unspecified quote for a carpeted room has an implicit assumption that may not match reality.
Threshold strips and finishes — transitions between floor surfaces, door stop strips, and edge profiles are often quoted separately or not at all. A 5-room installation can have 8–12 transition pieces. These add up.
Stairs — if the installation includes stairs, this should be itemised. Stair installation is charged per step, not per m², and the rate is significantly higher than flat floor installation. A quote that runs "supply and install flooring throughout" on a two-storey home without mentioning stairs has probably not included them.
Comparing quotes like for like
You cannot compare a per-m² rate from two different quotes without knowing what each includes. Build a comparison table: product spec, wear layer, preparation included, removal included, supply rate, install rate, threshold and finish estimate, stairs. Then compare the like-for-like totals.
The cheapest per-m² rate is frequently not the cheapest total cost once scope is equalised. Conversely, an all-in quote that includes everything is often better value than a low rate that excludes preparation.
The warranty question
Ask: "What does the warranty cover, for how long, and who is responsible for a warranty claim — you as the installer or the manufacturer?" Installation warranties and product warranties are different things. A problem with the click system is a product warranty claim. A problem with subfloor preparation leading to floor movement is an installation warranty claim. Both should be specified.
Use our Quote Checker to upload any flooring quote you've received and get an instant independent assessment of what's present, what's missing, and how the pricing compares.