How much does flooring installation cost in South Africa?
Flooring installation in South Africa covers a wide range of products from budget laminate to premium timber and epoxy. Here are typical costs for 2024–2025.
Typical flooring installation costs (2024–2025)
| Floor type / job | Typical price range (incl. installation) |
|---|---|
| Laminate flooring (budget range, per m²) | R250 – R400 per m² |
| Laminate flooring (mid-range, per m²) | R400 – R700 per m² |
| Luxury vinyl tile / LVT (per m²) | R350 – R650 per m² |
| Engineered timber flooring (per m²) | R700 – R1,500 per m² |
| Solid hardwood flooring (per m²) | R1,200 – R2,500 per m² |
| Timber floor sanding and sealing (per m²) | R150 – R350 per m² |
| Carpet fitting (per m²) | R80 – R200 per m² (excl. carpet) |
| Carpet removal and disposal (per m²) | R50 – R120 per m² |
| Epoxy flooring — garage (per m²) | R250 – R500 per m² |
| Screed and levelling (per m²) | R150 – R350 per m² |
| Parquet repair or re-laying (per m²) | R300 – R700 per m² |
What affects the price?
- Sub-floor condition. An uneven, damaged, or contaminated sub-floor needs preparation before installation — this adds cost and time. A solid, level screed is required for most floating floor systems.
- Product grade. The "per m²" price above includes installation labour only. Budget flooring products (laminate at R80–R150/m², vinyl at R100–R200/m²) can double or triple the total cost when combined with mid-range labour.
- Underlay. Good quality underlay improves comfort, sound insulation, and longevity. Expect to add R30–R80/m² for underlay.
- Waste factor. Allow 10–15% extra material for cuts and waste, particularly on diagonal or complex layouts.
- Furniture removal. Moving heavy furniture is typically not included in a flooring quote — confirm in writing.
Sanding and sealing existing timber floors
If you have solid hardwood or parquet flooring that is scratched, dull, or uneven, sanding and resealing is almost always far more cost-effective than replacement. Sanding removes 1–2mm of timber per pass, so a floor that has been sanded before may not have enough material remaining — ask the installer to check before quoting. Expect R150–R350/m² for a sand, stain, and two-coat polyurethane or oil finish on a standard residential floor.
Tips for getting a fair price
- Get a quote that separates materials from labour — this lets you compare labour rates and choose your own flooring product if preferred.
- Confirm the underlining and skirting board costs — these are often additional and can add up quickly.
- Ask whether old flooring removal and disposal is included, or priced separately.
- Avoid paying in full before the job is finished. TruePro's payment protection holds your payment securely until the installation is complete to your satisfaction.