Planning new parquet: more than timber and square metres
A good floor begins with a suitable construction. The substrate, pattern and junctions determine the work as much as the parquet itself. Making these clear in the enquiry helps compare quotations and avoid unexpected extras.
Which choices affect installation?
You do not need to have chosen every product. Distinguish flooring already purchased, a specific preferred product and a need for advice. For available material, its name and dimensions help.
| Decision | Effect on the quote |
|---|---|
| Solid or engineered parquet | Construction and approved installation method must match |
| Factory finished or unfinished | Sanding and finishing may be additional work |
| Straight boards or a pattern | Cutting, setting out and labour differ |
| Customer purchase or contractor supply | Clarify quantities, accessories and delivery |
| Living room, kitchen or heavy-use area | Match product and finish to use and moisture exposure |
Check the substrate before buying
Moisture, strength, cleanliness and flatness must suit the chosen system. A screed that looks dry is not automatically ready for flooring. Allow for the necessary checks and approval.
Existing coverings cannot universally be overlaid. Bond, underlying layers and available height matter. Even a new substrate may need preparation. Have additional cleaning, levelling or repair specified rather than assuming every measure is needed for every floor.
Removal of older coverings or adhesives may require hazardous-material assessment first. The visible finish does not reliably reveal the layers underneath. Clarify this work and agree how unexpected findings will be handled before starting.
Glued or floating installation?
Fully bonded parquet is attached to the prepared substrate. In a floating installation, the connected elements form an independent surface. Suitability depends on the product, substrate and intended construction.
An underlay does not automatically solve every acoustic problem. Footstep noise within a room differs from impact sound transmitted to adjoining rooms. Request a solution appropriate to the entire construction, particularly when replacing flooring in an apartment.
Heavy fitted furniture, kitchen islands and junctions need early consideration. A floating floor must retain movement capacity. Perimeter gaps, movement joints and transitions therefore cannot be removed solely for appearance.
Underfloor heating and cooling
Many parquet products suit underfloor heating, including certain floating systems. Approval and the total thermal resistance, including underlay, are decisive. Full bonding can improve heat transfer.
State whether water-based heating, electric heating or cooling is present. Commissioning, moisture checks and operating limits need coordination. Cooling also requires condensation prevention. Customers need not guess measurements; the professionals assess the system.
Separate floor area, waste and skirting
For the enquiry, start with the floor area without a blanket material allowance. A 5 × 4 metre room has 20 m² of flooring. Its perimeter is 18 metres; allowing for a 0.9 metre doorway leaves a theoretical 17.1 metres of skirting if all other walls receive it.
Order quantity does not automatically equal floor area. Pattern, room shape, format and pack sizes affect cutting waste and spare stock. Have quantities calculated before purchasing. One fixed allowance for every installation is unreliable.
Stair treads, thresholds, transition profiles and door adjustments belong in separate quote items. When laying over an existing covering, check door clearance and adjoining floor levels in particular.
How much does parquet installation cost?
One Zug contractor lists labour at CHF 42–62 per m² for floating installation and CHF 58–88 for full bonding, excluding parquet and VAT. These are individual guide rates, not a Swiss average.
Depending on the scope, materials, preparation, removal, accessories and finishing add to the total. A low laying rate can therefore produce a more expensive project when essential items are omitted.
- Specified materials. Record product, finish, dimensions, order quantity and required accessories.
- Defined preparation. Separate removal, disposal, levelling and moisture assessment.
- Included junctions. Account for skirting, profiles, door adjustments and special cuts.
- Comparable total. Check travel, delivery, minimum charges, VAT and approved extras.
Keep installation predictable
- Agree rooms and materials. Record dimensions, use, existing layers and the preferred product.
- Approve the construction. Check substrate, heating and junction heights; agree necessary preparation.
- Coordinate delivery and laying. Observe storage, room-climate and access requirements. Confirm pattern and direction before installation.
- Complete handover. Check junctions, any initial treatment and release for use. Keep product and care information.
The finish determines subsequent care
Factory-lacquered parquet is not automatically oiled after installation. Unfinished, oiled and lacquered materials require different finishing and care work. Ask which tasks are included.
At handover, establish when furniture, rugs and damp cleaning are permitted. Suitable furniture pads and an effective entrance mat help protect the surface. Keep usable spare pieces for possible future repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy the parquet myself?
Yes. Agree the specific product, quantity and accessories with the installer before buying. Clarify responsibility for delivery, shortages and unsuitable material.
Are herringbone and chevron the same?
No. Traditional herringbone uses offset rectangular blocks. Chevron uses angled ends to form a continuous point. Specify the intended pattern or show a reference image.
Must old floor tiles always be removed?
Not necessarily. Strength, bond, flatness, moisture and build-up height must suit the new system. The decision follows inspection, not just identification of the visible material.
Can floating parquet be used over underfloor heating?
It can be possible with approved products and an appropriate overall construction. Underlay, heat transfer and manufacturer requirements must be considered.
Is skirting included in the square-metre price?
Not automatically. Have length, product and fitting listed separately or explicitly confirmed as included. The same applies to profiles and door adjustments.
