Questions about flooring as a career.

cproader · June 16, 2009, 07:10 PM

rusty baker said

Yes, but you are CP..

..............

Barry Carlton · June 16, 2009, 08:06 PM

Yesterday, just after I posted my reply, I checked 'who's online'. I saw that Dobby was replying, I almost deleted mine in hopes he would post his. David always has good thoughts and business savvy that he is usually willing to share. So I guess this is a shout to David/Dobby to post one of your thought provoking replies to J's question. We miss you and your input.

b

Professional flooring I · June 16, 2009, 09:08 PM

I have been installing flooring for 25 years , at the time I had a wife and 2 kids and i was working at a fast food place for 4 dollars and hour , I had the opportunity to to start out as a helper and from there i was showed just how much money could be made. to make a long story short, the flooring industry has given me the chance to be able to support and provide for my family. if i had continued to be a fast food flunky i would not be in the financial position that i am in today. Yes it has been difficult at times and yes there have been moments that i wished i had never got in this god forsaken business , but i owe alot of graditude to this business and to those who have given me the opportunities that i have been given . if you love what you do , strive to be the best and success is what you will find. It can be very rewarding ..

FlooringGirl · June 16, 2009, 09:35 PM

Hi There! I'm going to speak for my husband - he has been installing since the age of 15, became an apprentice when his mom and stepfather opened their flooring store and so it has been 31 years now. He is an expert, perfectionist, but hates it. Yet, it is all he knows. As his wife and main salesperson, I've learned to deal with his moody, artistic, grumpy-ass. It is an art, you know. And, you have to take it seriously and always put your ethics first. If a contractor tells you to go ahead and lay the floor without heat in the winter, would you do it? Turn down a grand for a potential problem which comes back on you? Better not.
Tia

Professional flooring I · June 16, 2009, 10:56 PM

FlooringGirl said

Hi There! I'm going to speak for my husband - he has been installing since the age of 15, became an apprentice when his mom and stepfather opened their flooring store and so it has been 31 years now. He is an expert, perfectionist, but hates it. Yet, it is all he knows. As his wife and main salesperson, I've learned to deal with his moody, artistic, grumpy-ass. It is an art, you know. And, you have to take it seriously and always put your ethics first. If a contractor tells you to go ahead and lay the floor without heat in the winter, would you do it? Turn down a grand for a potential problem which comes back on you? Better not.
Tia

I have to agree, in the end you have to live with yourself , Even though they may not like what you have to say they have to respect the fact that you are committed to doing the job right ..

Ken · June 17, 2009, 05:08 AM

Professional flooring I said

I have to agree, in the end you have to live with yourself , Even though they may not like what you have to say they have to respect the fact that you are committed to doing the job right ..

After dealing with GC's and superintendents for many years, small and nationwide companies, the fact is they have no respect for any of the trades, unless of course they are working for free.
Contractors sign off on everything knowing that its not worth the paper its written on. They get sued so often, whats one more?

DJ · June 17, 2009, 05:58 AM

ditto on what barry said

(his first reply)

Lo Down · June 17, 2009, 10:58 PM

rusty baker said

No one makes $80,000 in a small market area. Not even the retailer.

In the past 4 years combined, I've made more than $80,000

My godfather was a longshoreman, and if I had the chance for a do over, that woulda been my choice without a flinch.

So personally, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone young and thinking about a trade. It's difficulty is way unappreciated by the entire industry.

JH Floors · June 19, 2009, 09:27 PM

Thanks for all your response . I got a lot to think about

stullis · June 19, 2009, 11:30 PM

Join the union out there if you do stay in it.

DJ · June 20, 2009, 10:42 AM

you'll have to start at the bottom though

mcbrides · June 20, 2009, 12:19 PM

JH:

Part of me, like Scott, wants to tell you to RUN! Dave has been in this trade 30 years, I've been with him in it for 20 years. He frequently says he hates his job. Knowing him as well as I do, it's not the job he hates, but the bullshit attached to it. It takes a long time to make a name for yourself in this trade, and only if you have a superior work ethic, have taken training along the way, and most importantly, have a reputation for DOING IT PROPERLY, not for doing it the way the retailer/salesperson/customer thinks it should be done.

I came from a computer IT background. Many years ago I was in a auto pileup which left me with a chronic whiplash problem. At the chiropractor 3x a week. I took a sabbatical and Dave fired his helper and asked me to help him out until he found another one, but that is water under the bridge. I love this trade. We have the freedom to book our time as we wish, I have strengthened my back injury to the point where I have only had to seek an adjustment about 4 times while in the trade, however, being strong as an ox is not necessarily a feminine thing and most guys will not screw with me.

As largely independents, we are in full control of our business, enjoy high paying yields, and like that we can spend our marriage together as best friends and business partners. If we have any regrets about this trade, it would be the lack of benefits.

(We spent most of this past week crawling through a large DuraCeramic gig, me with a nasty head cold and Dave with an abcessed tooth; I got no rest and Dave has to wait until Monday, an un-booked day, to get to the Dentist.)

If you love this trade, you will do far better than if you don't.

Deb

FlooringGirl · June 21, 2009, 10:16 PM

mcbrides said

JH:
Part of me, like Scott, wants to tell you to RUN! Dave has been in this trade 30 years, I've been with him in it for 20 years. He frequently says he hates his job. Knowing him as well as I do, it's not the job he hates, but the bullshit attached to it. It takes a long time to make a name for yourself in this trade, and only if you have a superior work ethic, have taken training along the way, and most importantly, have a reputation for DOING IT PROPERLY, not for doing it the way the retailer/salesperson/customer thinks it should be done.
Deb

Amen. My husband sfter 30+ years is always saying he hates his job, but only when there are difficulties involved. Other times he still secretly loves it! We had a good giggle, he ran across his class picture from 1987 at Milliken in Georgia getting his carpet tile installation certification. He doesn't like people to know he has it, though - feels it gives bigger expectations and standards. Not that he isn't a perfectionist already. Kudos to all who take their installation job seriously, whether they like it or not!
Tia

Taurus Flooring · June 22, 2009, 06:28 AM

I've been chewing over your question since you posted it last week and I think if I could do it over gain (been at it for 35yrs), I would get onto a carpentry apprenticeship program and do both. Over the years, I've done a lot of work for contractors and most could or would not do the flooring. Think about how much further ahead you would be if you could do it. I am very doubtful that the flooring trade will ever regulate itself to the point where installers will have to be professionally trained and licensed and in my opinion, it's the only way things could get better.

FlooringGirl · June 23, 2009, 08:48 PM

I'm seriously thinking my husband is going to get out of this business. He is very into auctions, buying/refinishing/selling antiques, and I am having the feeling he's at the end of his floor covering rope. It is so difficult anymore to make a decent living around here as a quality flooring craftsman. What worries me is what will hapen when the pros are gone, because there are no youngsters learning the skills of the trade anymore.

Tia