Flooring is priced per square metre, but the number that matters is the fully installed cost — and subfloor prep, underlay, trims and labour can double the material figure. This guide shows how to measure, allow for wastage, compare materials, and account for the costs under the surface.
Flooring is priced per square metre, so the estimate starts with the floor area of each room — length times width. Add up every room getting the same flooring to get your total. For an L-shaped or irregular room, split it into rectangles, calculate each, and add them together.
Our square metre calculator and area calculator do the measuring, including combined shapes.
You never order exactly the floor area, because flooring is cut to fit around edges, doorways and obstacles, and some pieces are unusable. A wastage allowance protects you from running short of a batch you may not be able to match later.
Flooring spans a huge price range, and the material is usually the biggest decision. From most economical upward, common options include laminate and vinyl (including luxury vinyl plank), engineered timber, tiles, and solid hardwood or natural stone at the premium end. Each suits different rooms — tiles and vinyl for wet areas, timber and laminate for living spaces — so the right choice is about fit for purpose as much as price.
The flooring itself is only part of the bill. Underneath and around it sit costs that are easy to forget:
Installation cost depends heavily on the material. Floating floors like laminate and click-vinyl are within reach of a confident DIYer and save on labour. Tiling, glue-down timber, and stone are skilled trades where a poor DIY job shows badly and can waste expensive material — often the false economy is doing it yourself and having to redo it. Match the installation method to your genuine skill level.
Measure each room, add the right wastage for your material and layout, then get quotes on the fully installed price including subfloor prep, underlay, trims and removal of the old floor. Because material and labour prices vary so widely, quotes against your exact area will always beat a generic figure — and comparing installed prices rather than material prices is the only fair way to choose.
How do I estimate flooring cost?
Measure each room's floor area (length times width), add up rooms getting the same flooring, add 5 to 10 per cent wastage, then price the material. Crucially, add subfloor preparation, underlay, trims and installation labour, which can double the material figure.
How much wastage should I allow for flooring?
Around 5 to 10 per cent for straightforward rooms, more for diagonal or herringbone patterns, large-format tiles, and small rooms with many cuts. Order it all at once, as flooring batches can vary slightly in shade.
What is the cheapest flooring?
Laminate and vinyl, including luxury vinyl plank, are usually the most economical, followed by engineered timber, tiles, and solid hardwood or natural stone at the premium end. The right choice is about fit for purpose — tiles for wet areas, timber for living spaces — as much as price.
Why is the installed cost higher than the flooring price?
Because a per-square-metre flooring price excludes subfloor preparation, underlay, adhesive or fixings, trims and skirting, removal of the old floor, and labour. These can add up to as much as the material, so always compare fully installed quotes.
Should I install flooring myself?
Floating floors like laminate and click-vinyl are achievable for a confident DIYer and save on labour. Tiling, glue-down timber and stone are skilled trades where a poor job shows badly and wastes expensive material. Match the method to your genuine skill level.