When researching flooring prices in the TRNC, the first figure you see is usually the product’s price per square metre. However, the total cost of the finished floor is determined by the selected product, the actual quantity to be purchased, the condition of the subfloor, the installation pattern, skirting boards, door transitions, installation work and the scope of logistics services.
The simple answer is this: When comparing flooring prices in Cyprus, do not evaluate two quotations solely on the basis of the “price per m²”. Check whether they cover the same net area, the same product category and the same scope of installation. Otherwise, a quotation that initially appears cheaper may result in a higher total cost once the missing items are added.
Why Is the Flooring Price Not Limited to the Cost per m²?
To cover a floor, the room’s net area must first be calculated. However, the quantity that needs to be ordered is not always exactly the same as this figure. Edge cuts, room geometry, installation direction, pattern and the amount of flooring contained in each package all affect the quantity that must be purchased. Preparation of the existing floor, finishing details and installation work must also be added.
It is more accurate to consider the total budget within the following framework:
Total project cost = product cost + planned additional materials + subfloor preparation + installation + skirting boards and profiles + removal and disposal where required + any other items separately specified in the quotation
The quotation should also clearly state whether taxes, delivery and carrying materials between floors are included in the price. ROCASSA’s current TRNC Flooring Services page lists floor levelling and infrastructure preparation, the installation of skirting boards and finishing profiles, delivery and carrying materials between floors, post-installation quality control and cleaning as services included in all flooring packages. Nevertheless, the most reliable approach is to obtain written confirmation of the project-specific scope in the quotation document. You can find detailed information about ROCASSA’s flooring installation and site survey services in the TRNC.
Eight Key Factors That Affect Flooring Costs in the TRNC
| Cost Factor | Why Is It Important? | How Should It Be Specified in the Quotation? |
|---|---|---|
Product category | Different flooring systems, such as SPC flooring and COREtec, do not have the same technical structure or market positioning. | The brand, collection, product name or product code should be clearly specified. |
Net area | This is the starting point for determining the actual area to be covered. | Each room should be shown separately, with the total area also stated. |
Order quantity | Cuts, package contents and the layout plan may result in a purchase quantity that differs from the net area. | The number of square metres or packages to be ordered should be stated. |
Installation pattern | Straight plank, diagonal or herringbone installation may require different cutting and labour processes. | The installation direction and pattern name should be specified. |
Subfloor | A surface that is not level, dry, clean and structurally sound will require preparation. | Inspection, levelling or repair should be listed as a separate scope item. |
Existing floor covering | Ceramic tiles, old flooring, carpet or loose surfaces may require different procedures. | The quotation should state whether the new flooring will be installed over the existing surface or whether removal is required. |
Finishing details | Skirting boards, thresholds, transition profiles and door undercutting are part of the completed work. | The product type, length or quantity and installation scope should be stated. |
Installation and handover | Furnished areas, access between floors, working hours and the project schedule affect the work plan. | The scope of installation, handling, cleaning and handover should be clearly stated. |
1. Product Category and Intended Use
You should compare products that meet the requirements of the intended area, rather than simply choosing the lowest-priced product. A bedroom, a heavily used office, the entrance of a rental villa and a retail shop do not have the same foot traffic or maintenance conditions. The risk of exposure to water, the amount of sunlight entering the space, pedestrian traffic, underfoot comfort and the desired appearance all affect product selection. It is therefore not advisable to rank SPC flooring options in Cyprus solely by price before these requirements have been identified.
ROCASSA’s official product archive presents its SPC flooring collection and COREtec flooring options in separate categories. Particularly when comparing SPC flooring prices in the TRNC, it is not sufficient for a quotation to state only “SPC”. Wherever possible, the product name or code should also be included. This prevents products with different technical specifications from being incorrectly compared solely on the basis of price.
2. Net Area and Order Quantity Are Not the Same
For a rectangular room, the basic net-area calculation is straightforward:
Room area = length × width
Rather than calculating an L-shaped or U-shaped space as one large rectangle, divide it into smaller rectangles and add the results together. Confirm with the installer whether areas beneath built-in wardrobes, fixed kitchen islands or sections that will not be covered should be included in the calculation.
The actual layout plan is then prepared. The quantity to be ordered is determined according to the product’s package contents, the starting row, plank direction, narrow corridors, recesses and whether cut pieces can be reused in other areas. For this reason, it is not accurate to apply one universal “waste percentage” to every project. Herringbone or diagonal installations and rooms with multiple corners must be planned differently from a simple, regular plank layout.
3. Installation Direction and Pattern
The same décor can create a different spatial effect depending on the installation method. However, the pattern is not merely an aesthetic decision. It can also affect the cutting layout, starting axis and installation time.
The quotation should include the following three details:
- Product variant: plank or herringbone
- Installation direction: along the longest wall, towards the light source or in line with a specified design axis
- Transition plan between rooms: continuous installation or separation with a profile
For example, ROCASSA’s current Amazon SPC Flooring OG 103 product page lists the plank option as 228 × 1220 × 5 mm and includes a pattern-selection field for the same décor. The dimensions and pattern selection should be confirmed through the relevant product page and the latest quotation before placing an order.
4. Condition of the Subfloor
Regardless of the quality of the upper floor covering, the installation cannot be completed properly unless the subfloor is suitable. The ASTM F710 standard requires concrete substrates intended to receive resilient flooring to remain dry, clean, smooth and structurally sound. Cracks, holes and similar irregularities must also be repaired appropriately. COREtec’s official installation guide similarly emphasises that the subfloor must be clean, level, dry and structurally sound and that moisture-related issues must be assessed before installation.
A price provided on the assumption that “no floor levelling will be required” may therefore change following an on-site inspection. The quotation should explain from the outset how the subfloor assessment and any required corrective work will be handled.
An important distinction must be made: A water-resistant upper floor covering does not automatically resolve moisture or waterproofing problems beneath the structure. If there is an active leak, rising damp, a plumbing problem or a structural crack, the issue must first be resolved by a professional specialising in the relevant field.
5. Installation Over Existing Ceramic Tiles
In many renovation projects in the TRNC, property owners want new flooring to be installed without breaking and removing the existing ceramic tiles. Installing flooring over ceramic tiles may be possible for certain products and spaces, but merely knowing that “there are ceramic tiles” is not sufficient.
According to Shaw’s SPC installation guidelines, an existing hard-surface floor covering must be fully bonded, clean, level, dry and structurally sound. Loose tiles, significant differences in floor level, wide or deep grout joints and active moisture problems must be assessed before installation. The same guidelines state that installation over carpet is not considered suitable.
When installation over ceramic tiles is planned, the following details may affect the price:
- Levelling grout joints and uneven areas
- Checking doors against the new finished floor height
- The level of balcony, bathroom and entrance thresholds
- The beginning of staircases and transitions to other floor coverings
- Removing, replacing or covering the existing skirting boards
Therefore, “installation without breaking the tiles” does not always mean “installation without preparation”.
6. Skirting Boards, Thresholds and Transition Profiles
Finishing details are among the items most frequently overlooked in quotations. However, a skirting board is not merely a decorative strip. It completes the connection between the floor and the wall. Thresholds and transition profiles provide a proper connection between different floor coverings or floor levels.
The quotation should answer the following questions:
- How many metres of skirting board are required?
- Will the existing skirting boards be removed?
- How many door transitions are there?
- How will wet-area and balcony thresholds be finished?
- Will the door leaves or frames require adjustment?
- Is a special finish required around stairs or fixed furniture?
Two quotations that appear to offer the same price per square metre may produce completely different totals once these details are included.
7. Removal, Handling and Furniture Plan
If existing carpet, loose flooring or a defective floor covering must be removed, the labour and waste-management requirements must be planned separately. The work may also be affected by the need to empty rooms one at a time in a furnished home, work outside normal business hours in a commercial property or carry materials to an upper floor.
ROCASSA’s current services page states that delivery and carrying materials between floors are included in its flooring packages. When comparing quotations from other providers, check whether the same services are included. Even when a quotation offers a flooring price including installation, the phrase “installation included” does not necessarily mean that handling, removal, subfloor preparation and cleaning are also included.
8. Post-Installation Inspection
It is not sufficient to assess the completed work solely on its visual appearance. Plank joints, wall edges, transition profiles, door operation and surface cleanliness should all be checked during handover.
ROCASSA lists post-installation quality control and cleaning as part of its flooring service. The quotation should also state who will participate in the handover inspection and how any outstanding items will be documented.
How Do You Calculate How Many Square Metres of Flooring You Need?
Use the following steps for an initial calculation:
- Measure the length and width of each room.
- Divide L-shaped or U-shaped spaces into rectangles.
- Calculate the area of each section and add the results together.
- Add corridors, entrance halls and connecting areas separately.
- Confirm with the installer which fixed areas will not be covered and deduct them.
- Determine the installation direction and pattern.
- Round the order quantity up to complete packages according to the package coverage of the selected product.
- Have the cutting allowance and spare-material requirement professionally determined according to the product, pattern and layout plan.
Example Calculation Without Prices
The following example shows how to determine the net area before calculating the flooring installation cost. Assume that the living room measures 6 × 4 metres, two rooms each measure 4 × 3 metres and the corridor measures 5 × 1.2 metres:
- Living room: 24 m²
- Two rooms: 24 m²
- Corridor: 6 m²
- Net total: 54 m²
This figure is not yet the order quantity. The quantity to be purchased is determined after the door recesses, areas beneath cabinets, installation direction, potential reuse of cut pieces, package coverage of the selected product and pattern plan have been assessed. This avoids giving the customer a misleading total or applying a universal waste percentage.
Checklist for Comparing Flooring Quotations on an Equivalent Basis
Use the following checklist before requesting or accepting a quotation:
- Are the product’s brand, collection and code stated?
- Are the net installation area and order quantity shown separately?
- Is the number of packages or package coverage specified?
- Are the installation pattern and direction clearly stated?
- Are the floor inspection and any required corrective work included?
- Is it clear whether the existing floor covering will be removed?
- Are skirting boards, thresholds and transition profiles included?
- Are door undercutting or floor-level adjustments addressed separately?
- Are installation, delivery, carrying materials between floors, cleaning and handover inspection specified?
- Are taxes and payment terms clearly stated?
- Do the product and installation warranty documents correspond with the quotation?
- Is the quotation’s validity period stated?
This list will help you identify not only the quotation that appears inexpensive, but the one whose scope can genuinely be compared with the alternatives.
What Information Should You Send to ROCASSA for a Preliminary Quotation?
According to ROCASSA’s official FAQ page, the information required for a reliable preliminary quotation includes the approximate area, city, project type and product category of interest. When you have not yet selected a product, you can begin by describing the intended area of use. The city is particularly important for local logistics and site planning. Research into flooring prices in Girne and a flooring installation project in Gazimağusa may involve different transport and installation conditions, even when the same product is selected.
You can prepare your initial message in the following format:
- City / area: Girne, Gazimağusa, Lefkoşa, İskele or another location
- Project type: Apartment, villa, office, shop, hotel room, restaurant, etc.
- Approximate area: By room or as a total
- Existing floor: Ceramic tiles, screed, old flooring, carpet, etc.
- Occupancy status: Empty, furnished or an operating business
- Preferred product: SPC flooring, COREtec or undecided
- Images: Current photographs showing the floor, door transitions and skirting boards
- Expected timeframe
This information speeds up the preliminary assessment. An on-site survey is required to determine the precise scope and installation conditions.
Try the Flooring Pattern in a Virtual Room and Make a More Informed Decision!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Might Flooring Prices in the TRNC Not Be Displayed as a Single Figure on the Website?
Because the product category, area, pattern, package quantity, subfloor and finishing details vary from one project to another. A single figure provided before the current product and installation scope have been confirmed may not reflect the actual cost of the completed floor.
Does a Price Including Installation Mean That Everything Is Included?
Not always. Obtain written confirmation of whether “installation included” also covers subfloor preparation, skirting boards, profiles, removal, delivery, carrying materials between floors, cleaning and taxes.
Can SPC Flooring Be Installed Over Ceramic Tiles?
It may be possible when the product instructions permit it and the existing ceramic tiles are completely secure, clean, level and dry. If there are loose tiles, differences in level, unsuitable grout joints or an active moisture problem, preparatory work will be required first. The final decision should be based on the product-specific installation instructions and an on-site assessment.
How Much Waste Allowance Should Be Added for Flooring?
There is no single percentage that can be applied to every project. Room geometry, installation direction, pattern, plank dimensions, package coverage and the potential reuse of cut pieces all affect the result. The allowance should be determined according to the selected product and layout plan.
Is the Most Expensive Flooring Always the Best Choice for Every Space?
No. The correct choice is made by considering usage intensity, exposure to water and moisture, sunlight, maintenance expectations, comfort and budget together. A product that falls below the requirements may create risks, while technical features beyond what is needed may increase the budget unnecessarily.
Can an Exact Price Be Obtained Over the Phone?
A preliminary quotation can be prepared using the approximate area, city, project type and product category. However, a figure provided without seeing the condition of the subfloor, the finishing details and the actual order quantity may not reflect the final scope of installation.
Conclusion: Look for a Clearly Defined Scope, Not Simply a Low Price per m²
To evaluate flooring prices in the TRNC correctly, the only question you should ask is not, “How much is it per square metre?” A more appropriate question is:
Which products, preparations and finishing details does this quotation include in order to deliver the floor ready for use?
You can begin the quotation process by sharing your approximate measurements, city, project type and the product category you are interested in with ROCASSA. Arrange a free site survey through the official contact page so that the net measurements, existing floor and installation details can be assessed together.
Sources: