By Team Beare. Updated August 2026.
The short answer: laminate boards typically range from $30 to $100 per square metre supply only (RRP), with most Australian projects landing between $55 and $140 per square metre supplied and installed. Board quality, subfloor condition and what needs removing decide where your home sits in that range.
Laminate has earned its place as one of the most budget-friendly ways to get a realistic timber look, and its pricing is refreshingly easy to understand once the components are set out. This guide covers the typical Australian market ranges, what drives the price of a laminate project, and how to read quotes like someone who has done it before. These are broad national market ranges observed across the flooring industry, not Beare Flooring prices; the only number that truly fits your project is an itemised quote measured in your own home.
Laminate Cost At A Glance
| Cost component | Typical Australian market range |
|---|---|
| Laminate boards (supply only) | Around $30 to $100 per square metre |
| Typical project, supplied and installed | Around $55 to $140 per square metre |
| Floor preparation (where needed) | Commonly $20 to $50 per square metre, though older or damaged subfloors can take this well beyond that |
| Removing and disposing of old flooring | A separate line on most quotes, priced by what is coming up |
What Drives The Price
- The boards themselves – That $30 to $100 supply spread reflects real construction differences. Denser cores feel more solid underfoot, better surface layers carry more convincing timber texture, and stronger locking systems make for a quieter, tighter floor. Entry and top-shelf laminate can look alike in a photo; the difference lives in the engineering. Our laminate range shows what is available across the spectrum.
- Durability rating – Boards built for heavier traffic cost more to make and buy. The value move is matching the rating to the room rather than paying for durability a bedroom will never test.
- Subfloor condition – Laminate floats over the subfloor, and flatness matters. Minor imperfections are forgiven; dips and high spots need correcting so boards do not flex or click underfoot. Preparation is the least glamorous line on a quote and the one that most decides how the floor feels in five years.
- Underlay – A quality underlay softens sound and smooths small irregularities. It is a small line item that punches well above its price.
- Removing what is there now – Old carpet comes up quickly. Glued coverings take longer and cost more to remove and dispose of. Laminate can often be installed over existing sound hard flooring, which trims this line entirely in some renovations.
- Layout and wastage – Rooms with angles, nooks and doorways create more cutting than open rectangles, and most projects allow roughly five to ten percent extra material for cuts.
- Where you live – Delivery distances affect material costs, which is one reason identical boards can be quoted differently between regions.
What A Whole Project Costs
Applying the typical $55 to $140 installed range to common project sizes:
| Project size | Typical installed total |
|---|---|
| Single room (around 20m2) | Around $1,100 to $2,800 |
| Living and kitchen area (around 50m2) | Around $2,750 to $7,000 |
| Standard home (around 100m2) | Around $5,500 to $14,000 |
| Larger home (around 150m2) | Around $8,250 to $21,000 |
Per-square-metre costs ease as projects grow, because fixed costs spread across more floor. Homes needing meaningful preparation or removal trend towards the upper end.
Supply Only Or Supplied And Installed?
The supply price is only half the story, because a laminate floor is only as good as the surface it floats on. An itemised quote that separates boards, underlay, preparation, removal and installation shows you exactly where your money goes and makes comparing providers a like-for-like exercise rather than guesswork.
Comparing Other Flooring Costs
| Flooring type | Typical installed range (per m2, RRP) |
|---|---|
| Carpet | Around $45 to $110 |
| Vinyl planks | Around $55 to $110 |
| Laminate | Around $55 to $140 |
| Hybrid | Around $80 to $140 |
| Engineered timber | Around $115 to $250 |
Laminate holds a genuine sweet spot: a realistic timber look and strong scratch resistance at a price that leaves room in the renovation budget. If you are weighing it against hybrid, our hybrid versus laminate guide walks through the differences that matter, including water resistance.
Getting The Most Value
Laminate rewards honest room-matching. Put the higher-rated, denser boards where the household traffic actually flows, and let quieter rooms sit comfortably further down the range. Seeing samples in your own light matters too: timber tones shift noticeably between a showroom and your living room, and choosing at home removes the surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do laminate prices vary so much? – The board construction does most of it. Core density, surface detail and the quality of the locking system separate entry boards from the top of the range, and the condition of your subfloor moves the installed price from there.
- Is laminate cheaper than hybrid flooring? – Generally the products themselves are priced similarly at the middle of the market, with laminate reaching a little lower at entry level. The bigger difference is suitability: hybrid is the water-resistant choice, while laminate offers outstanding scratch resistance for its price.
- What does an AC rating mean for price? – AC ratings are European durability classifications, and higher-rated boards generally cost more because they are built to handle more traffic. A busy family hallway earns a higher rating; a guest bedroom does not need one.
- Can laminate go over my existing floor? – Often yes, over sound hard surfaces, which saves removal costs. Carpet always comes up first, and any unevenness needs correcting so the boards sit quietly. Your installer confirms what your subfloor needs on inspection.
- Is entry-level laminate worth buying? – In the right room, absolutely. A modestly priced board can serve a bedroom or study for years. High-traffic areas reward the denser, higher-rated boards further up the range.
The Price That Matters Is Yours
National ranges frame the decision, but your rooms, your subfloor and your traffic write the actual number. Our mobile showroom brings laminate samples to your home, and your quote is measured, itemised and explained on the spot. Explore the laminate range or book your free in-home measure and quote when you are ready.
Prices in this guide are recommended retail prices per square metre and exclude GST. They are broad national market ranges current as at August 2026, observed across the Australian flooring industry, not Beare Flooring quotes, and no trade discounts are applied. Prices vary with product choice, site conditions and location. Installation requirements vary by state and territory; always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and confirm any building requirements with your local authority or certifier. For exact pricing, book a free in-home measure and quote.
