5 Things You MUST Consider When Quoting a Flooring Job

When it comes to quoting a flooring job, accuracy and thoroughness are key. As a flooring business owner, landing your first client can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it’s time to send that all-important quote.

This article covers five factors to consider when you put together a quote that gives clients confidence and helps you win the job.

• Cost of Materials
• Cost of Labor
• Timelines
• Guarantees
• Accuracy

Imagine this: you’ve been working hard to promote your flooring business, and you finally have your first client. You’re overjoyed at the prospect of your first flooring job but then…you remember that you have to send them a quote, and you have no idea where to start.

From material costs to labor, timelines, guarantees, and accuracy, here’s what to think about when you bid on flooring projects.

Cost of Materials

The first thing you want to think about when you are writing up a quote for a new client is the cost of materials.

Pinpointing the cost of materials will help give you a jumping-off point to calculating the final cost of a project.

The first and most obvious material to add to this cost is the cost of the new flooring. It varies with the type of flooring and the square footage of the space. Make it clear in your quote whether the flooring cost covers only the exact space or includes extra material, such as overage for cuts and waste, that the client can keep at the end of the project.

Materials also include moldings, which are a separate cost from the flooring itself, as is any finish for the planks. Be clear about the sealants and finishes that will be applied to the floor, and add that to the cost.

Underlayment for the floor is another material to include in this cost.

Lastly, don’t forget the other materials you’ll supply, such as fasteners, adhesives, and any special tools you’ll need to buy for the project, plus any sales tax.

Cost of Labor

Cost of labor is the next thing to think about when considering the overall cost of a project.

At first, this can seem pretty straightforward: what do you need to pay yourself and your crew in order to complete this project?

But the details of the individual flooring job will impact the kinds of labor required.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to more thoroughly determine the labor cost other than the baseline of paying yourself and your crew:

• Will you need to dispose of the existing flooring?
• Does the subfloor need to be repaired or replaced?
• Does the flooring have to be adjusted to match adjoining rooms?
• Will doors, appliances, or furniture need to be moved?
• Do moldings need to be installed?

Also consider whether there’s any existing moisture damage that needs to be fixed before the job can be completed.

If moisture is affecting the current floor or subfloor, it will also harm the new flooring if it isn’t addressed. A pinless moisture meter like the Orion^® line from Wagner Meters can tell you whether a wood floor or subfloor has a moisture problem. For a concrete slab, use in-situ RH testing.

Timelines

Timelines, besides cost, are the part of the quote with the biggest potential for client disappointment.

If you give your client a 2-week timeline but take 4 or 5 weeks to complete a project, you could be hurting your business.

When quoting a project, be as realistic as you can up front, and always try to finish on time or early. That’s a great way to build client loyalty.

Sometimes, though, unexpected things extend the timeline. If that happens, keep the lines of communication with your client open. Make it clear why you’re running behind schedule and provide a new, realistic completion date. Communication will help your client know that they can trust you.

Guarantees

Guarantees are one part of a quote that many don’t think about.

If you offer a warranty that covers anything concerning the installation, this should be clearly stated on the quote.

Make it clear if non-installation-related issues are covered by your guarantee. For example, do you cover damage to the flooring in your guarantee and offer a replacement? Or does the supplier offer a warranty or guarantee? Make this clear so that your client knows what to expect should they run into any issues.

When it comes to guarantees (and all the other elements to be included in each of your quotes), it’s a good idea to have an attorney review your “stock language” for what to say and what NOT to say. You don’t want to inadvertently promise something you won’t be able to deliver on.

Accuracy

Accuracy is of the utmost importance in any quote.

Quotes that are vague or straight-up inaccurate will hurt your business.

Furthermore, if you give a client a quote for a flooring project, that quote can then become a binding agreement. Breaking that agreement can lead to disappointment and even potential legal action.

Aim for precision on every factor: cost, timelines, deliverables, and so on. If you’re accurate about every step of the process, your client gets a precise, reliable quote.

Clients notice that kind of accuracy, and satisfied clients can bring you more business through online reviews and word of mouth.

So What’s Next?

Now that you have these 5 key things to remember, you can tally up a quote that will give you and your client the confidence you need to move forward with your flooring job.

Want more articles to help your business? Check out our list of hardwood flooring installation tools.

If you’re a homeowner, read our article on what to look for in a flooring installer.

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Last updated on October 9th, 2026