How to Quote Timber Floor Sanding in Australia
A tired timber floor can hide a day of repairs under the old finish. Here's how to quote a sand-and-coat job so prep, species and drying times are priced in — not discovered on site.
A sanded timber floor is one of the best-value jobs a customer can buy, and one of the easiest to underquote. The blowouts nearly always come from the same places: repair work that was hiding under the old coating, and material prices pulled from a job six months ago. This guide walks through what drives the price, how to break the job into stages you can quote, and how to keep prep out of your sanding rate.
What a good sanding quote covers
Sanding is a sequence of stages, and each one has time and materials attached. A complete quote accounts for:
- Site set-up — protecting adjacent areas and setting up dust extraction before a machine touches the floor.
- Sanding passes — coarse, medium and fine grits, each with a machine change and vacuum.
- Gap filling and buffing — between and after passes.
- Finish coats — the finish type, sheen level and number of coats, agreed in writing.
- Consumables — abrasives, filler, dust bags, masking tape and drop sheets.
- Prep and repairs — nail punching, staple removal and any board work, quoted separately (more below).
Allow 2–4 hours for set-up and dust sealing on an average 50m² job, charged at your hourly rate plus consumables. It's real work that protects the rest of the house, and it shouldn't disappear into the per-square-metre rate.
Sanding rates in 2026
A standard sand with two coats of polyurethane runs roughly $35–$70/m², but that range moves with the floor's condition and the species. Harder timbers like Jarrah and Ironbark chew through abrasives faster than softer species like Pine, and damaged floors need extra passes and filler:
| Item | Rate / m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sand + two coats poly (standard) | $35–$70 | Clean floor in reasonable condition |
| Heavy damage or repairs | +$10–$15 | Scratches, stains, pet damage, extensive filling |
| Two-pack water-based finish | +$8–$15 | Higher material cost, often an extra coat |
Not every floor is the same job. A heavily damaged Cypress Pine floor needing serious repair can cost $10–$15/m² more than a clean Spotted Gum — so assess the condition before you settle on a rate.
Choosing a finish
The finish shapes both the price and the customer's experience of the floor. Confirm the type and sheen in writing so there's no surprise when it dries:
| Finish | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent-based poly | Very durable, traditional amber tone | Strong fumes, long drying time |
| Water-based | Low VOC, fast drying, holds natural colour | Costs more per litre, may need extra coats |
| Oil-modified | Penetrates timber, natural look, easy spot repairs | Slower cure than water-based |
Pricing the prep separately
Customers routinely underestimate the groundwork before sanding starts, and this stage decides whether the job is profitable. Keep prep and repairs on their own lines, away from the sanding rate:
- Clearing the room — emptying furniture, and confirming in writing who's responsible for it.
- Nail punching and fastener removal — punching proud nails, pulling staples, tacks and old adhesive.
- Major repairs — board replacement, subfloor fixing and extensive gap filling, priced individually.
- Old floor coverings — lifting carpet and underlay before the timber is even visible.
Lifting old carpet, pulling staples and minor repairs on a 60m² floor can easily take two people a full day — $800–$1200 in labour that quietly vanishes if it isn't quoted apart from the sanding rate.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Quoting off photos. Hidden damage only shows once the old finish is off. Inspect the floor in person and include an allowance for unforeseen repairs.
- Blending prep into the sanding rate. Nail punching, staple removal and repairs are separate work. Fold them into your per-m² rate and you're doing them for free.
- Ignoring drying times. Coats need to cure before the next one goes down. Those windows tie up the site and your schedule — price and plan for them.
- Using stale material prices. Abrasive and finish prices shift. Pull current supplier pricing for filler, abrasives and your finish before the quote goes out.
- Skipping the contingency. Allow 10–15% for surprise repairs and extra passes. On a $3,000 job that's $300–$450 in your pocket to cover the unexpected.
Pro tips for an accurate sanding quote
- Always inspect the floor in person — never quote from photos alone.
- Measure each room accurately; small square-metre errors add up on a big floor.
- Keep prep and repair costs on their own lines, away from the sanding rate.
- Get current prices on abrasives, filler and finish before you send anything.
- Factor drying times between coats into your schedule and overheads.
- Confirm the finish type and sheen with the customer in writing.
- Clarify who moves the furniture before the job starts.
ServiceYak keeps your sanding, prep and finish rates in a reusable kit, so you can itemise abrasives, repairs and coats on site — GST and margin handled — and send the PDF before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sand and coat a timber floor?
A standard sand with two coats of polyurethane runs about $35–$70/m². Heavy damage adds roughly $10–$15/m², and a two-pack water-based finish adds $8–$15/m² over a basic single-pack solvent option.
Should prep be part of the sanding rate?
No. Furniture clearing, nail punching, staple and adhesive removal, and any board repairs are separate work. Lifting carpet and repairs on a 60m² floor can take two people a full day — quote it apart from the sanding, or you'll do it for nothing.
Which finish should I quote?
It depends on the customer's priorities. Solvent-based poly is durable but slow-drying with strong fumes; water-based is low-VOC and fast but dearer; oil-modified gives a natural look and easy spot repairs. Confirm the type and sheen in writing before you price it.