Flooring Installation in Singapore

Order 8-10% more than the measured area to cover cutting waste, and 12-15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns. Keep a spare box after the job for future repairs — matching a discontinued product years later is difficult.

Waterproof materials: vinyl plank/tile, ceramic or porcelain tile, or specifically water-rated laminate. Standard laminate and solid wood swell when water gets into joints, so most installers will advise against them in wet rooms even if you like the look.

Subfloor prep means making the base flat, dry and sound: self-levelling compound over uneven concrete, replacing damaged boards or plywood, and adding a moisture barrier over slabs. Skipping it causes clicking joints, gaps and premature wear, and it voids most manufacturer warranties. It is normally priced separately per area, so ask every installer to inspect and price it before you compare quotes.

Ask every installer to itemise: material brand and wear-layer/thickness, underlay, subfloor prep, old floor removal and disposal, trims, beading and door thresholds, furniture moving, and waste allowance. The headline per-area rate is meaningless without those lines — most disputes come from prep and trims that one quote included and another did not.

Installed click vinyl typically runs S$4-S$12 per square foot depending on wear layer and brand, with S$6-S$9 the common mid-range. Laminate is similar; engineered wood runs roughly S$12-S$25 per square foot installed.

Overlay is much cheaper and faster: no HDB permit, no hacking labour, no debris disposal, and the flat stays liveable. Hacking is only necessary when existing tiles are hollow/popping, floor height is a problem, or you want tile or thick wood that needs a fresh screed.