March 30, 2026
The right flooring installer in Sydney will measure your rooms on site, give you a written, itemised quote, check the subfloor and answer your insurance and warranty questions clearly. Use this checklist to compare flooring contractors before you book.
| Check | Question to ask | A good answer |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | Is the quote written and itemised? | Product, installation, preparation, removal and extras each listed |
| Measure | Who measures, and will they visit? | Someone measures every room on site and looks at the floor |
| Subfloor | How will you check and prepare the subfloor? | A clear plan for flatness, moisture and repairs, in writing |
| Insurance | What insurance do you carry? | A straight answer and a current certificate if you ask |
| Warranty | What covers the product, and what covers the workmanship? | Both explained, with the terms in writing |
| Timing | How long will it take, and who moves the furniture? | A start date, a rough duration and a furniture plan |
| Cleanup | Is removal of the old floor included? | Shown on the quote as included or extra |
Ask every flooring installer for a written quote that lists each part of the job on its own line, so you can compare like with like. Check it for:
If something is not listed, ask whether it is included or extra. Also ask how surprises are handled, such as damaged floorboards under old carpet.
An accurate quote starts with an accurate measure. Ask whether someone will visit to measure, or whether the quote is based on a plan or your own numbers. An on-site measure shows the installer your doorways, wardrobes and stairs, which way boards should run and where carpet joins will fall.
Product sizes change how much is needed. Carramar 4M wool carpet comes on a 4m roll for fewer joins, and Royal Procore Laminate comes in extra-long 2265mm boards. Pattern floors take more planning again, as our herringbone vs chevron guide explains. At Royal Floors, every job starts with a free measure and quote.
A floor laid over an uneven, damp or damaged base can move, squeak or show lumps. Ask the installer:
Hard floors such as hybrid, laminate and timber are less forgiving of an uneven base than carpet. Thin glue-down vinyl, such as the Royal 3mm Vinyl Plank, needs a smooth, well-prepared subfloor, because small bumps can show through.
The insurance that applies can depend on the type and size of the job. Ask directly and keep the answers in writing.
If the job includes structural work, such as replacing floor joists or bearers, that part needs a licensed builder or carpenter. Vague answers to any of these questions are a warning sign.
A new floor usually has two warranties, and they cover different things.
| Warranty | Who provides it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Product warranty | The manufacturer | The flooring itself, such as wear and defects, as set out in its terms |
| Installation warranty | The retailer or installer | How the floor was laid |
Product warranties vary by range. For example, Royal Hybrid Pro 9mm carries a 25 year warranty and Karndean LooseLay Originals carries a lifetime residential warranty. Always read the terms so you know what is covered.
Every flooring product comes with installation instructions covering things like acclimatisation, subfloor flatness and moisture, expansion gaps, underlay and adhesive. Product warranties often depend on them, so ask your installer to confirm they will follow them. Methods vary from floor to floor:
| Floor | How it is usually installed | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Floating, with click-locking boards | Korlok, with 5G click locking |
| Loose lay vinyl | Stays in place without adhesive | LooseLay Longboard |
| Glue-down vinyl | Glued to a smooth, prepared subfloor | Royal 3mm Vinyl Plank |
| Engineered timber | Floating or trowel-glued, depending on the product | Royal 15/4MM Oak |
| Carpet | Usually over underlay, stretched onto gripper strips | Carramar 4M |
In an apartment, check your strata by-laws before you book. Many buildings have rules about hard floors, noise and working hours. Our best flooring for apartments guide explains what to look for.
Ask who lifts the old flooring, who takes it away and whether that is included. Old carpet, tiles and glued-down vinyl all take time to remove. Also ask how the site will be left each day and at the end.
Reviews show how a business behaves on real jobs. Read several, not just the best and the worst, and look for patterns:
Royal Floors has over 20 years of experience supplying and installing flooring. Here is how we cover the checklist above.
Ask for an on-site measure and a written, itemised quote. Check how the subfloor will be prepared, what insurance the installer carries and what the product and installation warranties cover. Then read recent reviews and look for patterns in how problems were handled.
Ask the contractor what insurance they carry and whether it covers the people working in your home. Ask to see a current public liability certificate and keep the answers in writing.
It can. Product warranties often rely on the floor being installed to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask your installer to confirm they will follow them, and read the warranty terms for your range.
Yes. Ask for removal and disposal of the old flooring to be listed on the quote, so you know whether it is included or extra before the job starts.
Visit Royal Floors in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan to see the samples, book a free measure and quote online or call us on 1300 980 501.
Four showrooms across Sydney & Brisbane
