Solo timber floor installer for builders and retailers

Builders, renovators, flooring retailers and property managers who need a reliable installer. Some jobs come from homeowners.

Usually a rate per square metre for labour, sometimes a day rate. Extras such as stairs, trims and removing old floors are priced separately.

• Accurate measuring and cutting
• Knowledge of subfloors, moisture and expansion gaps
• Reliable, tidy work on other people's sites

• Licensing rules differ by state, and some require a licence above a certain job value, so check before quoting
• Public liability insurance, plus the contractor and workers compensation rules if you ever bring someone on
• Moisture or subfloor problems can ruin a floor, so test and record before you start
• A ute or van is usually needed, and the work is hard on knees and back
• Getting paid late by contractors, so agree payment terms in writing

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your tools, vehicle and insurance. Because you mainly charge for your labour rather than supplying timber, costs are usually lower than for a company that buys materials upfront.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $12,000, depending on how steady your work from builders, renovators and flooring retailers is. These are revenue estimates, before costs such as fuel, tools and insurance.

Licensing rules differ by state, and some require a licence above a certain job value, so check before quoting. Also check public liability insurance, plus contractor and workers compensation rules if you ever bring someone on.