A research dossier · AS 1684 + manufacturer specs verified
What you see is the boards. What decides whether the floor stays flat for 20 years is what is underneath — moisture levels in the slab, level tolerance, the underlay, the expansion gap. The cheap installer skips moisture testing and skips acclimation. Six months later you have cupping boards and voided warranty.
4–7 days
Timber acclimation period on site before laying.
75%
Max slab moisture (relative humidity) for timber lay.
10mm
Expansion gap at walls for floating floors.
Before we start
Floor failure traces back to the subfloor 80% of the time. Moisture in the slab, uneven subfloor, missing expansion gap, wrong underlay. The cheap installer skips the subfloor prep and hopes you do not notice for 12 months.
Moisture test before lay = manufacturer warranty intact. No test = warranty void.
Flooring priced per m² supply + install + subfloor prep.
Indicative ranges · AU 2026
| Laminate | $55 – $110/m² |
| Hybrid (SPC / WPC) | $85 – $160/m² |
| Engineered timber | $110 – $220/m² |
| Solid hardwood | $180 – $360/m² |
| Subfloor prep | $30 – $80/m² |
Ask this, exactly
"Quote with brand + product + moisture testing + acclimation + underlay + subfloor prep — in writing?"
Red flags
No moisture test
Slab moisture meter reading required before laying. Skip = warranty void.
No acclimation
Timber + hybrid need 4–7 days in the room before laying.
No expansion gap
Floating floors need 10mm at walls.
Wrong underlay
Substitution voids manufacturer warranty.
No subfloor levelling
Tolerance: 3mm in 2m. Cowboys lay over uneven slab.
Verification — 5 min, free
Ask this, exactly
"Moisture test + acclimation + expansion gap + manufacturer accreditation — confirmed in writing?"
Specialist Trade
QBCC
VBA
Half-time
Moisture test or warranty void.
Quote anatomy, the cowboy test, the licence. The first three sort working installers from operators skipping moisture testing and acclimation. The next seven are how working installers tell themselves apart.
Flooring installers 2–6 weeks out. Acclimation (4–7 days) means timber lives in your house before laying.
Ask this, exactly
"Real start + acclimation window + when can we walk on it?"
Inspection + moisture test
Slab moisture meter reading. Subfloor levelness check.
Subfloor prep
Levelling compound where needed. Vapour barrier on slab.
Acclimation
Boards on site 4–7 days before laying.
Underlay
Manufacturer-specified underlay.
Board laying
Pattern set out. Expansion gap at walls.
Skirting + clean + handover
Skirting covers expansion gap. Care instructions.
Option A · premium
Solid hardwood or engineered. Natural look, sandable, longest life.
Option B · most popular
Waterproof + tough. Modern residential default.
Option C
Cheapest. Not waterproof. Shorter life.
Layer 01
Product warranty
Hybrid: 20–35 years. Laminate: 10–25. Engineered timber: 15–25.
Layer 02
Installer workmanship
Typically 1–5 years.
Layer 03
Wear layer warranty
Hybrid + laminate have wear-layer-specific warranties.
Layer 04
Statutory consumer law
ACL applies.
Ask this, exactly
"Product + workmanship + wear-layer warranties + manufacturer install spec?"
Wet area
Tile or vinyl required. Hybrid OK if waterproof-rated.
Slab on ground
Moisture testing critical. Vapour barrier.
Sub-floor (raised timber)
Existing boards can be sanded + refinished.
Underfloor heating
Specific approved products only.
Ask this, exactly
"For my subfloor + room conditions, what product does the manufacturer approve?"
Heritage timber restoration
Specialist sub-trade. Sand + refinish existing.
Underfloor heating
Specific approved products. Coordination with electrician.
Strata noise rating
OC by-laws mandate acoustic underlay.
Pre-1990 asbestos in floor
Vinyl backing can contain asbestos. Licensed removal first.
Stairs
Specialist install — riser + nosing detail.
Polished concrete
Different sub-industry.
Slab moisture issues
High readings = waterproof underlay + appropriate product.
Solid timber over slab
Specialist install (gluedown). Higher moisture risk.
Large-format / herringbone
Setting-out drawings critical.
24-hour cure for glued products. Use felt pads under furniture. Avoid steam mops on timber + laminate. Manufacturer warranty registration within 30 days.
Ask this, exactly
"Cure + care instructions + warranty registration — confirmed?"
If you've read this far
We can introduce you to flooring installers in your area who already work this way. No paid placement.
Trade 12 of 33.