Installerpool.com

[Taurus Flooring]

I recently came across a new website called Installerpool.com and I wondered if anyone has had any experience with them? Being from Canada, we don't get the benefit of these services for a while sometimes, but I must admit, the idea seems powerful. Imagine...floorlayers organized under a common umbrella. What next? higher rates???

[Roland Thompson]

I lookedm it all over and I think the idea could be good if it is used in the right way. What I see happening is the retailer is the one that rates you so if you do not agree with something he does he could give you a bad rating. I also could see them playing one installer against the other for pricing.
So what I am saying if it is used right it could be a good thing,but if used the wrong way it could hurt thee installer.

Roland

[Nick Arrera]

I signed on there for free to see what kind of scam they were running .. watched their little video .. from what i see the store offers you the job and tells you what they are paying .. you can take it or leave it .. and from i saw they are paying , they can install it themselves ..

[Taurus Flooring]

I've been at this for 35yrs and all that time all I experienced was a secret society so to speak. Everytime I approached a retailer about increasing rates, I would get the same answer..."the industry has a set rate". The funny part is, I am the industry and nobody asked me what I want. The biggest problem we've had as installers, is the lack of communication. I looked over the site and think it could benefit all of us. Yes some installers will get blackballed by some stores, but chances are, he deserved it. There is a growing shortage of qualified professionals and it would not be good business for retailers to degrade installers because of personality conflicts, but the site definately would helps to conduct business. Right now, I compete against guys who have been at it for 6 months, because the system has no way of regulating who does what. As far as having a retailer work us against each other, it's up to us. It boils down to common sense, if you charge low rates, chances you are a hack. As for me, I've been at it for over 35yrs and take great pride in my work and the people who hire me appreciate it and give me more work then I can handle because they know they can count on me. If we want to be treated like pros, we need to conduct business like one.

[barrycarlton]

My thought is that if it was a site/service provided by installers like we have here it would be just what the industry needs.

But if it is generated by retailers it is not a good thing for anyone but the sales staff.

barry

[TFP Admin]

Originally Posted by barrycarlton My thought is that if it was a site/service provided by installers like we have here it would be just what the industry needs. But if it is generated by retailers it is not a good thing for anyone but the sales staff. barry

Just wanted to put out one more reminder that The Floor Pro Community is not an installer site, it is a flooring professional website. This site caters to all segments of the industry, from installer to retailer, manufacturer, inspector, distributor, workrooms, franchise stores, interior decorators, independent businessmen and women from all walks on the floor - or crawls.

We do have a high percentage of installers that participate and I am happy that we provide a voice for them and everyone else. But there has been a misconception by some that TFP favors installers over other industry segments. It doesn't. We do, however, support any effort to bring fairness, respect and recognition to those in the industry who have less than they deserve. The installation segment is one of the industry areas where this has been more prevalent. Not the only one though.

T

[barrycarlton]

I should have said 'generated by professionals such as are on this site'.

sorry I wasn't trying to single out installers only attitudes.

barry

[TFP Admin]

Oh yeah, that. Cool.

[Daniel Wachtel]

not to mention the DIYers and end users

[Taurus Flooring]

Whether the site was set up by the retailer's or the installers is irrelevant. To have a system that recognizes the efforts of everyones expertise makes it worthwhile. It only makes sense that if a senior segment of the industry are better trained, they should get rewarded for their efforts. The way things are run now, they get paid the same amount as the junior guys and in some cases get ripped off because they end up doing work that the junior man couldn't do. If we want to see a new rank of apprentices coming up to replace us, we need to give them some incentives. It works well for other trades, why would it be any different for us?

[Aaron]

My name is Aaron Johnson. I am one of the founders of Installerpool.com. I would be glad to answer any questions any of you installers might have regarding the purpose of the site.

[TFP Admin]

Thanks for joining, Aaron. Hope you enjoy The Floor Pro Community.

Jim

[Nick Arrera]

Welcome aboard Aaron ..

[rgfloor]

Aaron, welcome!

Perhaps an overview of the site and how you feel it can benefit installers.

As an inspector I am curious how it might benefit me. or if there is any provision for inspectors.

Again we look forward to your joining us and hope to learn.

[Aaron]

Great questions. There is no real provision for Inspectors, as it is designed primarily to link good, quality installers with flooring stores needing good installers.

To answer your other question, the site instantly makes flooring installers "Visible" to flooring retailers in their local area, along with a profile that lays out their expertise, and contact info. The site builds a "resume" for installers, so that even if they move, they don't have to start over.

Too often, there may be good installers in an area, and yet flooring stores are using subpar installers, because they don't have instant access to the good ones.