Order A Sample Kit
Pricing
Why Your Hybrid Flooring Quote Changes
Subfloor Levelling in Brisbane Homes
18 Dec 2025
Time: 2 mins
LUXO Floors Editorial Team
If you’ve ever compared hybrid flooring quotes and thought:
“Why is every company giving me a different price??”
…you’re not alone.
Most Brisbane homes don’t just need flooring — they need subfloor preparation.
And that’s where 80% of the price difference comes from.
This guide breaks down exactly what subfloor levelling is, why most homes need it, and how it affects your total flooring cost.
If you want the full pricing breakdown, read the main guide here:
👉 Hybrid Flooring Cost in Brisbane (2026) — Full Pricing Guide for Real Homes
Why Subfloor Levelling Matters
Hybrid, laminate, and engineered timber floors are “floating floors.”
They must sit on a smooth, flat surface to perform properly.
If not, you get:
Clicking or popping sounds
Movement between the boards
Gaps appearing over time
Joint failure
Warranty voiding
This is why installers spend so much time preparing the subfloor — it’s the foundation of your entire flooring system.
Industry Standard: How Flat Should Your Subfloor Be?
Most Brisbane installers follow this widely accepted floating floor guideline:
No more than ~2–3mm deviation over a 2–3 metre span
This is the tolerance required for hybrid flooring to stay stable, reduce movement, and avoid noise.
The Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) emphasises that
floating floors must be installed over properly prepared, flat substrates to prevent movement and long-term performance issues. Check their guidelines here "Installation Over Acoustic Underlays" for more details
This reinforces the importance of subfloor preparation — even if many homeowners are unaware of it.
Most Brisbane homes don’t just need flooring — they need subfloor preparation. That’s where 80% of the price difference comes from. This guide breaks down exactly what subfloor levelling is, why most homes need it, and how it affects your total flooring cost.
LUXO Floors
Brisbane, 2025
Why Most Brisbane Homes Need Levelling
1️⃣ Carpet was removed
Carpet installers don’t care about slab flatness — carpet hides everything.
When the carpet is ripped up, you often find:
Humps
Dips
Uneven edges
Damaged slab patches
Hybrid flooring cannot be installed on that surface.
2️⃣ Tiles were removed
Tile removal almost always requires levelling because:
Thinset (tile glue) leaves uneven ridges
Chipping tiles damages the slab
Grout lines create dips
Installers must pour levelling compound to create a smooth base.
3️⃣ Flooring was laid decades ago
Older Brisbane homes (especially 1980s–2000s) often have slabs that:
Are not perfectly flat
Have patched areas
Were not poured with floating floors in mind
Small deviations = big issues for floating floors.
4️⃣ Builders did not fully level the slab
Some new builds do not follow strict tolerance standards.
Builders focus on structural compliance — not precision flatness.
Floating floors require precision.
Types of Levelling (and What They Cost)
Feather Finish / Skim Coat Levelling
For minor dips or shallow imperfections.
💰 $10–$15 per m²
Used for:
Slight undulations
Carpet-removed homes
Light touch-up work
Self-Levelling Compound (SLC)
For moderate dips, tile removal surfaces, or older homes.
💰 $20–$35 per m²
(Depending on thickness poured)
Anything above 3mm thickness usually falls into this bracket.
Major Subfloor Levelling
For severe deviations, sloping floors, or extensive damage.
💰 $40–$80+ per m²
Your installer will determine if:
Grinding is needed
Multiple SLC layers are needed
Slabs require repair
Why Levelling Compound Is Not a Moisture Barrier?
Some homeowners assume levelling compound “seals” the slab.
Unfortunately,
Levelling compound does NOT act as a moisture barrier.
It simply creates a flat surface.
If your home has moisture issues, you may need:
Moisture barrier paint
Vapour sealers
Epoxy primers
Installers will usually test the slab first before applying these.
Real Cost Impact (Example)
Let’s say you have a 70m² home.
Tile removal → slab is rough
Installer must pour 4mm SLC
Pricing:
SLC: 70m² × $30 = $2,100
Installation: 70m² × $30 = $2,100
Flooring (8H Hybrid @ $35): 70m² = $2,450
Total = $6,650
Without levelling, the total would drop to ~$4,550.
Subfloor conditions make the biggest difference.
When Levelling Can Be Avoided?
Your installer may skip levelling if:
slab is naturally flat
carpet removal leaves a very smooth surface
tile removal was done cleanly + surface ground properly
floating floors are going into newer homes with flat slabs
But this is the exception — not the rule.
For full flooring pricing, installation cost, levelling cost, and total renovation budgeting, read:
👉 Hybrid Flooring Cost in Brisbane (2026) — Full Pricing Guide for Real Homes
If you’d like quick numbers tailored to your home, try our:
👉 Floor Price Estimator — Get Your Estimated Flooring Cost in 60 Seconds
Final Word — Why This Matters
Subfloor levelling is not “upselling.”
It’s essential technical preparation that protects your floor from:
Movement
Gapping
Swelling
Warranty issues
Long-term damage
The better your subfloor, the better your hybrid flooring performs. Brisbane (any) homes are rarely perfect — and that’s why levelling exists.
───────────────────────────────
About the Author
We lead the product team at LUXO Floors, helping Brisbane families choose flooring that stands up to Queensland’s heat, humidity, and family life. With years of on-site experience and a love for interior design, we are passionate about creating durable, beautiful homes that last.
Brisbane, QLD | LUXO Floors Editorial Team
