Quote templates for flooring
Professional quotes for laminate, ceramic, vinyl, and hardwood flooring, in rand.
What to include in a flooring quote
A well-structured flooring quote should itemise every component clearly. The client needs to understand exactly what they're paying for before signing off, particularly on projects that can run to tens of thousands of rand in total.
Start with the total area in m². This is the foundation of every calculation and prevents disputes after the job. Measure carefully, including recesses and irregular zones, and show the measurement in the quote.
Break materials into categories: the floor covering itself (price per m²), skirting boards (price per linear metre), subfloor preparation materials (self-levelling compound, primer, battens), and finishing accessories (transition strips, underlay).
Keep labour separate from materials. Clients used to informal quotes often lump the two together. Keeping them separate makes the cost of the work visible and builds trust.
Always include subfloor preparation: removing existing flooring, levelling, cleaning. These are labour hours that many fitters forget to price and end up absorbing as a loss. If you're VAT registered, show the 15% VAT line clearly so the client can compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
Example quote for laminate flooring
Typical job: 28m² lounge with AC4-rated laminate installation.
- Removal of existing flooring (carpet), 28m² at R38/m²
- Self-levelling compound, 28m² at R55/m²
- AC4 laminate (12mm), 30m² at R210/m² (includes 7% wastage)
- Acoustic underlay, 30m² at R32/m²
- MDF skirting board, 24 lm at R42/lm
- Transition strips (front door plus hallway), 2 units at R170 each
- Labour for fitting floor and skirting, 28m² at R110/m²
Materials subtotal: R9,222 | Labour: R3,080 | Total: R12,302
With Prummo, dictate: "carpet removal 28 metres at 38, levelling compound 28 metres at 55, laminate 30 metres at 210, underlay 30 metres at 32, skirting 24 metres at 42, transition strips 2 at 170, labour 28 metres at 110" and the quote is organised instantly.
How to calculate the price per m²
Price per m² is the metric clients use to compare flooring quotes. Be explicit about what's included. A total price per m² covering everything (materials plus labour plus subfloor prep) will look higher than one covering fitting only.
To find your all-in price per m², add all costs and divide by the usable area. In the example above: R12,302 / 28m² is roughly R440/m² all in.
Market rates for laminate flooring in South Africa typically range from R350 to R700/m² all in, depending on the material. SPC and luxury vinyl (LVT) suited to kitchens and wet areas usually sits between R400 and R750/m². Solid hardwood or engineered oak can reach R900 to R1,600/m².
Always account for wastage: add 7% to 10% to the actual area for cuts and trims. It's better to order more from the same batch than to reorder and risk a colour mismatch. Show the overage as a separate line so the client understands why more m² of material is being bought than the room size.
Tips for winning more flooring jobs
Show what's invisible. The client sees the new floor but not the subfloor prep, the acoustic underlay, or the transition strips. Briefly explain each line in the quote. A provider who explains the work is more convincing than one who just states a price.
Offer material options. Send the quote with two variants: standard and premium. The client may not realise there's a more moisture-resistant product for only a small uplift per m². When they choose the more expensive option, your margin improves without extra work.
For jobs above R15,000, staged payments help close the deal. A whole-house flooring job can reach R40,000 to R50,000. A deposit on acceptance followed by the balance on completion, via PayShap or EFT, is standard practice and reduces the client's hesitation.
Send the quote the same day as the visit. Flooring clients typically request three or four quotes. The provider who arrives first with a well-itemised proposal starts ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What VAT rate applies to flooring work?
If you're VAT registered with SARS, the standard rate of 15% applies to labour and materials on flooring work. There's no reduced rate for residential renovation in South Africa. Check with your accountant before invoicing, and always show the tax line clearly in the quote.
Should I include removal of the old floor in the quote?
Always include removal as a separate line when it's needed. Many clients assume it's included. By itemising it, you avoid disputes and justify the total price. If the client wants to remove the old floor themselves to save cost, that's clear and agreed before work starts.
How do I quote irregular floor shapes or stairs?
Measure each area separately and apply a difficulty factor to labour (typically +20% to +40% over a simple rectangle). Note in the quote that the price includes angled cuts, trims, and awkward access areas. Stairs are typically priced per tread, not per m², and should be listed as a separate line.