How to Start a Flooring Business

by Team Tradify, July 29, 2025

You’ve gained hands-on experience, nailed down your skills across a range of materials, and now you’re ready to take the next step — starting your own flooring business. Building the path to entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, but the payoff can be well worth it. First, though, you need a plan.

The first step towards a successful flooring business is a plan!

Low on time? Skip ahead!

Setting goals for your flooring business
A flooring business plan
Training and qualifications
Finances for your flooring business
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Learn from others in the industry
It's time to build your business

1. Setting goals for your flooring business

Before you start laying down any laminate or tile under your own name, take a moment to ask yourself: why do you want to start your own business?

Are you looking to increase your income? Maybe you're seeking more control over your schedule, or want to stop building someone else's business and start investing in your own.

Whatever the reason, nailing down your goals early will help you make better decisions as you grow.

2. A flooring business plan

Your flooring business won’t get far without a clear business plan. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should give your business structure, direction, and measurable targets. Its also essential in order to apply for funding or finance.

Your business plan should outline what services you'll provide, set your yearly financial goals, and identify any challenges or opportunities in your local market. Check out what's available near you, if you have a skill or experience that set's you apart, make sure to incorporate it into your plan!

Tradify has created a free Business Plan Template for trade businesses to make this easier. It includes sections for:

Startup and ongoing costs
Charge-out rates and margins
Equipment and vehicle expenses
Marketing strategy
Short and long-term business goals

Registering your flooring business

Time to make it official — the next step is to register your flooring business. Read the points below for information on registering a business in your region. When deciding on your business structure, think about your goals for the future. Are you looking to grow, or fly solo forever?

🇬🇧 UK - most people register as sole traders or limited companies.
🇺🇸 USA - you can apply for a sole proprietorship or form an LLC.
🇦🇺 AU - you’ll need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN).
🇳🇿 NZ - you’ll register as either a sole trader (Ministry of Business) or a company (NZ Companies Register).

How much does it cost to register my business?

🇬🇧 UK - be prepared to pay at least £12 (depending on company structure).
🇺🇸 USA - costs differ by state and your individual obligations. Find out how to register a business in the USA.
🇦🇺 AU - costs range from $417 - $506 (depending on company type).
🇳🇿 NZ - it costs $10 (+GST) to reserve a company name and $114.39 (+GST) to apply to incorporate a company.

3. Training and qualifications

Depending on your country or region, flooring professionals may not need formal licensing — but qualifications still matter.

Customers are more likely to hire flooring businesses that can show their experience. It also gives them peace of mind that you know what legal and safety requirements to follow. It’s worth keeping up with any relevant training, especially if you plan to bring on apprentices or subcontractors in the future.

Requirements and training options differ between countries and regions.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

USA – National Association of Floor Covering Technicians (NAFCT)
UK – FloorSkills Training Centre
Australia – FCIA Training Academy Limited
New Zealand – Flooring industry training via BCITO'

Don't settle! It's easy to grow comfortable once you've mastered the basics, yet upskilling can help you offer a wider range of services, such as:

Installing sustainable flooring products.
Specialising in heritage or commercial flooring.
Working with advanced materials like epoxy or polished concrete.

Factor in time and budget to grow your skills as your business grows — it'll help you stay ahead of the competition.

4. Finances for your flooring business

Starting a flooring business comes with setup costs — and it’s important to plan for them upfront.

Your biggest expenses will likely include:

Tools and machinery.
A vehicle and custom fit-out.
Business management software.
Insurance and marketing costs.

Invest wisely and research which tools are worth the spurge and which to budget for.

Note: Your tools, equipment, and vehicle are assets – not liabilities – which means you can claim the tax back after your first financial year in business.

🇺🇸 USA - Expense claims for US contractors
🇬🇧 UK - Expense claims for UK contractors
🇦🇺 AU - Expense claims for Aussie tradies
🇳🇿 NZ - Expense claims for NZ tradies

Planning to approach a bank or lender? They’re going to want to see your complete business plan, so lucky you got that sorted in Step 1 already right?

Many countries offer loans for new small businesses. Check with your local government to see how they can help you out.

🇬🇧 UK - Start Up Loans of £500 to £25,000 are available to start or grow your business.
🇺🇸 US - The Small Business Association works to connect small business owners with funding.
🇦🇺 AU - Check if you’re eligible for a variety of grants that vary between states.
🇳🇿 NZ - Government grants, advice, and mentoring are available, depending on your business.

Angel investors are people that provide capital for new businesses and startups. They often receive convertible debt in return or a percentage of ownership. They are often more willing to provide money than traditional lenders.

Get covered by insurance

When starting or running a business it’s essential to prepare for unexpected situations. A business insurance policy will cover your work vehicle/s, tools, equipment and essentials like general liability. You may also want to consider income protection insurance in case you’re forced off work for an extended period.

Read our article on business insurance for contractors & tradespeople.

Learn more about keeping your tools safe.

Tools and equipment

Most flooring professionals will need to invest in a van or ute that can carry their gear. From dust extractors to floor sanders and knee kickers, the right tools can make or break your workflow.

Good equipment is a long-term investment. Choosing quality over cheap alternatives can save you time and money in the long run — and it shows your clients you’re serious about the job.

Use these free tools from Tradify to plan smarter:

Accounting and compliance

Choose accounting software or an accountant to help manage your income, expenses, and tax obligations. Tradify integrates with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and Sage — making it easy to connect the dots between job tracking and financial reporting.

You’ll also need to be across any industry regulations or health and safety standards relevant to your trade and region.

a graphic of tradify and its accounting integrations QuickBooks, xero, sage, myob, and stripe

6. Know your strengths and weaknesses

Running your own business means wearing many hats. Some tasks will feel natural, while others may be outside your comfort zone.

If quoting, scheduling, or invoicing isn’t your strength, consider using a tool like Tradify’s job management software. It helps manage your day-to-day tasks more efficiently — so you can focus on delivering great work.

When you understand your strengths, you can maximise them. If you're great with people, make sure customer service is a key part of your offering. If you're detail-focused, position yourself as a specialist in high-precision installations.

On the flip side, be honest about your weak spots. These might be:

Managing finances
Building a website (Hint: Use Tradify's Instant Website to make this easy)
Promoting your business

Once you’ve identified these, you can either improve your skills or outsource to someone who can help.

Running a SWOT analysis

A simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis can help you define your current position and plan your next moves. Writing it all down makes your strategy clearer — and helps you anticipate challenges before they arise.

7. Learn from others in the industry

You don’t have to figure everything out alone. Whether it’s advice from a mentor, tips from a seasoned business owner, or insights from online communities, there’s plenty to learn from others in the flooring trade.

If you can’t connect with someone locally, there are still ways to stay inspired and informed:

Listen to podcasts

Tradify’s own podcast, Behind the Tools, features real stories from tradespeople around the world. From business tips to personal experiences, each episode offers valuable lessons for those starting out.

You can listen on:

Watch tradespeople online

Many experienced flooring pros share behind-the-scenes content on YouTube and social media — from pricing tips to installation walkthroughs.

Join online groups and communities

Trade forums and Facebook groups can be a great place to ask questions, share experiences, and pick up practical advice.

8. It’s time to build your business

Starting your own business isn’t always smooth sailing — but it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do. If your goal is to earn more, enjoy more flexibility, and take pride in your work, now’s the time to lay the groundwork.

Use your first few jobs to test and refine your systems. Stay lean, stay agile, and focus on delivering great outcomes for your clients. With the right tools, you’ll be able to grow sustainably, build a strong reputation, and eventually bring on more help when you need it.

As your workload increases, Tradify’s flooring job management software can help you stay organised, professional, and on top of every job — from quote to invoice.