Cost estimates only: Any building, material or upgrade figures on this page are indicative, not fixed prices or quotes. Confirm current written costs, specifications and inclusions directly with your builder, supplier or relevant trade.
Overview
Flooring is one of the most impactful visual elements in a new home, and also one of the most commonly upgraded items from a builder's base specification. Understanding what's included as standard and what upgrades cost is essential before your colour selection appointment.
This guide covers the main flooring types you'll encounter in new residential builds across Australia — carpet, hybrid timber, porcelain tiles, and engineered timber — with an honest look at pros, cons, and typical pricing.
Carpet
Carpet is the most common standard inclusion in new build bedrooms. Most builders specify a residential-grade nylon or polyester carpet in a limited range of neutral colours. The quality of the underlay included is often just as important as the carpet itself for comfort and longevity.
Pros
- Soft and warm underfoot
- Good acoustic performance — absorbs sound
- Comfortable for children's bedrooms
- Typically included in base price
- Warmer feel in cooler climates
Cons
- Harder to clean than hard flooring
- Traps allergens, dust mites, and pet hair
- Shows wear and stains over time
- Not suitable for wet areas
- Dated look in contemporary interiors
Hybrid Timber Flooring
Hybrid flooring has become the dominant upgrade choice for living areas and increasingly for bedrooms in Australian new builds over the past 5 years. It features a rigid core (typically SPC — stone plastic composite) with a printed timber-look wear layer and is 100% waterproof.
Popular brands specified by builders include Karndean, Quick-Step, Flooring Xtra, and many house-brand equivalents. Quality varies — a 6mm hybrid at $35/m² behaves very differently to a 9mm acoustic hybrid at $65/m².
Tip
Pros
- 100% waterproof — suitable for living areas and bathrooms
- Realistic timber appearance
- Durable and scratch-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable underfoot compared to tiles
- Wide range of styles and colours
Cons
- Click flooring is a floating installation — some movement/hollow sound
- Cannot be sanded and refinished like real timber
- Quality varies significantly between products
- Printed layer can look artificial in cheaper options
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are the most common wet area flooring in new builds (bathrooms, ensuite, laundry). They are also popular as a living area flooring choice, particularly in Queensland where their cool hard surface suits the climate. They are extremely durable and waterproof.
The upgrade path for tiles is primarily around size and rectification. Standard inclusions tend to be smaller format tiles (300x300mm, 600x300mm). Large format rectified tiles (600x600mm, 900x900mm, 1200x600mm) have very fine grout lines and a modern, seamless appearance.
Pros
- Extremely durable — lasts the life of the home
- Waterproof and hygienic
- Easy to clean
- Cool underfoot in hot climates
- Large format gives a premium appearance
Cons
- Hard and cold underfoot — not ideal for bedrooms
- Grout can stain and require maintenance
- Expensive to replace if damaged (matching can be difficult)
- Large format requires very flat subfloor
- Installation cost is higher than floating floors
Engineered Timber Flooring
Engineered timber consists of a real hardwood veneer top layer bonded to a structural plywood base. It's more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood, can be glued directly to concrete slabs, and is suitable for underfloor heating. It's a premium option rarely included in builder base specs.
Note
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Material | Waterproof | Durability | Comfort | Price Range (supply only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet | No | Moderate | High | $15–$60/m² |
| Hybrid Flooring | Yes | High | Medium | $30–$80/m² |
| Porcelain Tiles | Yes | Very high | Low-medium | $25–$120/m² |
| Engineered Timber | Partially | High | High | $60–$180/m² |
| Solid Hardwood | No | Very high | High | $80–$200/m² |
* Price ranges are indicative supply-only costs. Installation and builder margin will add to these figures. Always obtain specific pricing from your builder at selections.
Included or Upgrade?
Typically Included
Carpet to Bedrooms
Typically included as standard in most builder packages. Quality and colour range varies significantly.
Typically Included
Tiles to Wet Areas (Bathroom, Ensuite, Laundry)
Standard in most builds. Size and finish varies — smaller format tiles are often the base specification.
Typically an Upgrade
Hybrid Flooring to Living / Dining Areas
A very popular upgrade. Typical cost: $1,500–$6,000 depending on area size and product selected.
Typically an Upgrade
Large Format Rectified Tiles (600x600mm+)
Upgrading from standard to large format rectified tiles in bathrooms and living areas adds significant visual quality. Budget $1,000–$5,000 depending on area.
Typically an Upgrade
Whole-Home Flooring Upgrade (Hybrid Throughout)
Replacing carpet with hybrid flooring throughout all dry areas. Budget $3,000–$10,000 depending on home size.
Common Builder Upgrades
Common Builder Upgrade
Hybrid Flooring to Living & Dining Areas
Common Builder Upgrade
Large Format Tiles to Bathrooms
Common Builder Upgrade
Carpet Upgrade (Thicker Underlay, Better Grade)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Downloadable PDF Guide
Coming SoonA printer-friendly version of this guide will be available soon.
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