Timber Floor Sanding & Polishing Quote Template
Free timber floor sanding and polishing quote template. Covers sanding, filling, staining, and coating for hardwood and engineered timber floors.
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Or try it on the web →This is for flooring installers quoting timber floor sanding and polishing jobs in residential or light commercial sites. It works for common Aussie hardwoods like Spotted Gum and Blackbutt, as well as softer timbers like Pine. Most quotes go wrong by underestimating floor repairs and the number of polyurethane coats needed for a durable finish. A good timber floor sanding quote template separates the sanding price per square metre from the prep work, so you don't lose your margin fixing someone else's dodgy floorboards. Get the prep and finish right, and the price looks after itself.
How to Price Sanding and Coating by the Square Metre
The standard charge for sanding and polishing is per square metre. For a straightforward job, this ranges from $30 to $50 per square metre (sqm) including GST. This price should cover three passes with the sander (coarse, medium, fine), punching nails, filling gaps with colour-matched putty, and applying three coats of polyurethane. Labour is your biggest cost, so base your rate on getting 30-40 sqm done per day. A 4-litre can of Cabot's CFP Floor Water Based from Bunnings costs about $150 and covers roughly 40 sqm for one coat, so budget around $11-$12 per sqm for three coats of a quality finish.
What Gets Left Off a Floor Sanding Quote
Forgetting the extras is where you lose money. Always list furniture removal as a separate line item, charging an hourly rate. If you have to pull up and dispose of old carpet and underlay, that's another cost—at least $5-$8 per sqm. Check for access issues; quoting a third-floor apartment with no lift is different from a ground-floor house. Also, specify the finish. A high-gloss finish shows every imperfection, requiring more prep time than a satin or matte finish. Your quote should state the number of coats included, typically three. Any extra coats requested by the client should be priced at around $8-$10 per sqm.
Materials Included
- Drum and edge sanding (3 grades)
- Timber filler (colour matched)
- Timber stain (optional)
- Polyurethane coating (water or oil-based)
- Sanding screens and pads
- Masking and protection
Quoting Steps
- 1Measure total floor area
- 2Assess floor condition and existing finish
- 3Quote sanding (drum, edge, and detail)
- 4Add gap filling and repairs
- 5Select finish type and sheen level
- 6Include 2-3 coats of polyurethane with dry time
Frequently Asked Questions
Staining adds a full step to the process and requires more skill than a clear coat. You should add 20-30% to your standard square metre rate. A product like Feast Watson Prooftint from Bunnings costs about $35 per 250ml, which covers roughly 10 sqm. Factor in the extra labour time for application and drying before the top coats go on.
Yes, water-based polyurethane is usually more expensive per can but dries much faster, allowing multiple coats in a day. Oil-based is cheaper but has a longer cure time. Price water-based finishes about 10-15% higher per square metre to cover the higher material cost. For example, Cabot's water-based is around $150 for 4L, while the oil-based equivalent is closer to $120.
Never bundle major repairs into your square metre sanding price. Quote them as a separate item with a clear description of the work. Charge your standard hourly rate (e.g., $70-$90/hour) plus the cost of materials. Sourcing and matching aged timber can be time-consuming, so make sure your labour charge reflects that effort. This keeps the sanding quote clean and protects you from unknown costs.
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