By Team Beare. Updated September 2026.
The short answer: most Australian engineered timber projects land between $115 and $250 per square metre supplied and installed (RRP). Species, board format, wear layer thickness and installation method decide where in that range your home sits.
Engineered timber sits at the considered end of the flooring market: real hardwood on top, engineered stability underneath, and pricing that deserves a proper explanation. This guide sets out the typical Australian market ranges, unpacks what moves the price, and helps you compare quotes on equal footing. These are broad national ranges observed across the industry, not Beare Flooring prices; your own number comes from an itemised quote measured in your home.
Engineered Timber Cost At A Glance
| Cost component | Typical Australian market range |
|---|---|
| Typical project, supplied and installed | Around $115 to $250 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 Moves The Price
- The timber itself – Species and grade lead the price. European oak dominates the market, with Australian species and distinctive grades commanding their own positions. A thicker hardwood wear layer costs more and buys future re-sands, which is where engineered timber earns its long-game reputation. Our timber flooring range shows the breadth, and our engineered timber guide explains the construction in plain terms.
- Board format – Wide, long boards cost genuinely more in material, and patterned formats like herringbone cost more again to supply and noticeably more to install, because every board is placed individually.
- Installation method – Engineered timber can float on underlay or be glued directly to the subfloor. Direct stick delivers that solid, quiet, connected feel and costs more in both adhesive and labour. The right method depends on your subfloor and the product’s requirements.
- Subfloor condition – Timber rewards precision, and precision starts under the boards. Levelling and moisture management are priced on what the installer finds, and they matter more here than in almost any other flooring category.
- Removing what is there now – Old glued floors take time to lift; carpet comes up quickly. This line varies home to home and belongs on its own row of a fair quote.
- Stairs and finishing – Stairs in matching timber are slow, exacting work priced individually, and trims and transitions finish the project properly.
- Where you live – Freight matters for heavy product, and delivery distance is one reason identical boards can be quoted differently between regions.
What A Whole Project Costs
Applying the typical $115 to $250 installed range to common project sizes:
| Project size | Typical installed total |
|---|---|
| Single room (around 20m2) | Around $2,300 to $5,000 |
| Living and kitchen area (around 50m2) | Around $5,750 to $12,500 |
| Standard home (around 100m2) | Around $11,500 to $25,000 |
| Larger home (around 150m2) | Around $17,250 to $37,500 |
Projects with patterned formats, direct-stick installation or significant preparation trend towards the upper end. Treat these as budget framing, not quotes.
Supply Only Or Supplied And Installed?
More than any other floor, engineered timber is a product-plus-craft purchase, and the installed price is the honest one. An itemised quote separating boards, preparation, adhesive or underlay, installation and finishing shows where the money goes and lets you compare providers properly. A single lump figure hides exactly the details that matter here.
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 |
Engineered timber holds the top of the everyday market for a simple reason: it is the real thing. Hybrid and laminate photograph similarly, but timber’s depth, feel and refreshable surface are what the price reflects.
Getting The Most Value
Value in engineered timber comes from buying the right board once. A sensible wear layer buys future re-sands. A format that suits your rooms avoids paying pattern money where it will not be seen. And seeing samples in your own light is essential: timber tones shift dramatically between showroom lighting and your home, and a floor at this level deserves to be chosen where it will live.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is engineered timber more expensive than hybrid or laminate? – Because the surface is real hardwood. You are paying for genuine timber, the engineering that keeps it stable, and the more exacting installation it deserves. In return you get a floor with real depth and character that can be refreshed rather than replaced.
- Is engineered timber cheaper than solid timber? – Generally yes once installation is counted (see our engineered vs solid timber comparison). Engineered boards arrive pre-finished and install more efficiently than raw solid timber, which needs sanding and coating on site. Engineered also handles Australian conditions with less movement.
- What makes one engineered board cost more than another? – The thickness of the hardwood wear layer, the species and grade of the timber, board width and length, and the quality of the core beneath it. Wider, longer boards with thicker wear layers sit at the top of the range.
- Can engineered timber be sanded and refinished? – Boards with a sufficiently thick wear layer can be re-sanded, commonly once or twice over their life, which is part of the long-term value case. The wear layer thickness decides this, so it is worth knowing before you buy.
- Does engineered timber add value to a home? – Real timber underfoot is one of the most recognised quality signals in Australian homes, and it reads instantly to buyers. For owners planning to hold long-term, its refreshable surface makes it a genuinely durable investment.
The Price That Matters Is Yours
National ranges frame the decision, but your rooms and your subfloor write the number. Our mobile showroom brings engineered timber samples to your home, and your quote is measured, itemised and explained on the spot. Explore the timber 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.
