Independent Installation Professional Desired

[Dobby Tappet]

We are looking for an installation partner. Not partner as in sharing a business, but an independent installation professional to take over delivery and installation and eventually fabrication of fine carpets & rugs. We are soft surface material only servicing the luxury home market in New England.

This is not a 'we're desperate come kick some carpet for quick bucks' type of need. This is a 'if you're serious about this trade and are looking for a certain quality of life in a work environment that demands excellence on every job, for the long term' type of opportunity for a symbiotic relationship.

This is not a 'job' this is an 'opportunity to grow and develop your installation business outside the box'.

Dobby (aka: David Hunt)
Vermont Custom Rug Company
vtrugco@wcvt.com

PS: If your spouse/family is not enthused and excited about a permanent relocating to Vermont please do not apply.

[Jim McClain]

Deserves its own fresh new topic David. Moved here.

[Don Monfils]

If I wasn't married with children and having family close by, I would jump at the chance.

[Chris Mha]

Don Monfils said If I wasn't married with children and having family close by, I would jump at the chance.

Ditto!!!

[twomly]

Me too I would snap at this opportunity to be able to work with such a professional, infact if I lived over there I would stamp my feet and insist we moved.
Although the misses has been mulling over the idea of moving to the states for sometime now as she has alot of family and friends there, me thinks Dobby is looking for someone closer to home.

[TwoStar]

David,

I am wondering what a normal day would look like in Dobby's World. I can see what the pictures show(very intriguing), but what does the planning, sales, site prep, client prep, etc. entail? Also, what don't I know to even ask about? I have worked with other professionals and find that our individual paths to excellence differ. Is that acceptable or is there already a recipe for success that works? I think I know the answer to that one, but would be interested to hear your thoughts.

I actually started to chuckle when I first read the original post of this thread. I am sure that many of us did, in our own way. This is a thrilling idea, and I would be interested to know what it would take to fit in to your master plan.

[TwoStar]

Don Monfils said If I wasn't married with children and having family close by, I would jump at the chance.

Aren't you guys like neighbors?

[polestretch]

When I read Dobby post, I couldn't even imagine learning to do what he does. I don't think he has ever seen a piece of carpet that looks like what I work with everyday.
Dobby, you work in an environment that is foreign to most of us. Here in my neck of the woods, the customer wants champagne carpet at beer prices and installed for free. The carpets you work with and make, I never knew existed until I joined this forum. Your craftsmanship amazes us all.
Keep posting!!! and keep posting pictures!

[Dobby Tappet]

Twostar, you've asked a lot of questions in short paragraph. Is there a real interest or just curious?

The recipe for success is keeping everything clean, simple and above board. No short cuts, no compromises and ALWAYS be pleasant.

Dobby

[TwoStar]

Dobby Tappet said Twostar, you've asked a lot of questions in short paragraph. Is there a real interest or just curious? The recipe for success is keeping everything clean, simple and above board. No short cuts, no compromises and ALWAYS be pleasant. Dobby

There is enough interest to fly out and see what's going on out there. I love living in Minnesota, but I think I would love living anywhere. It would take some discussions with the family to think out some new plans, goals, etc.

I am also curious to hear what a normal day entails.

What sort of time frame are you on to make a decision?

Congrats to me on 1000th post

[Jim McClain]

Although this is an interesting discussion, some of the information necessary to share between the parties involved might be too personal for a public message board. Perhaps it would be better to discuss specifics via PM or email?

Jim

[TwoStar]

TFP Admin said Although this is an interesting discussion, some of the information necessary to share between the parties involved might be too personal for a public message board. Perhaps it would be better to discuss specifics via PM or email? Jim

Good idea...the next part of the discussion would have gone "underground" for sure.

I guess I was thinking that these are still items of interest to the group that may answer someone else's questions/concerns. I think of you all as family.

Thanks Jim.

[brett chaltry]

lets meet up at convention

[Dobby Tappet]

I am wondering what a normal day would look like in Dobby's World. I can see what the pictures show(very intriguing), but what does the planning, sales, site prep, client prep, etc. entail? Also, what don't I know to even ask about? I have worked with other professionals and find that our individual paths to excellence differ. Is that acceptable or is there already a recipe for success that works?

Apologies for the delay in reply, your question does not allow for a short answer but I will try to be brief. What we are looking for is an installation professional to partner with that will handle all delivery & installation (and possibly fabrication) needs for our business.

As our business continues to grow, we have a proven formula for a profitable service side of the business and would like to spin that off to a third party to focus on continued growth in sales. Our first choice is to establish a symbiotic relationship as two independent businesses servicing two distinct ends of the same market. The tie that would bind us together is, we would pay so well you couldn't afford to work for anyone else and you would provide the exceptional quality & service our customers require and have every right to expect that we could not hire anyone else. By being separate, if either party falls short, the other is free to walk because if we were not getting something we could not find elsewhere, why would we even want to stay?

Planning, sales and customer prep are all part of the initial sales process and would not be part of the installation package. Here's the thing; planning must be complete BEFORE the sale is written, otherwise, how would we know how much to charge? For what these materials cost, there is no margin for error. {{ The idea that a product can be sold to every customer for the same price is, in my professional opinion, stupidity. Which is another topic. }} The same is true with customer prep. The time to cover all issues is before the sale, not after. As for sales, you would have one customer, me. We would provide all details and specifics involved in the project because they were already addressed and documented at the point of sale. It would be a 'true' sub-contracting relationship not the quasi-employee model that exists throughout most of our industry.

As for floor prep, sweep broom clean. We sell floor coverings not floors, If the existing floors require some form of modification and/or adjustment to properly accept a floor covering, they need to contract the services of a building professional.

As for removal of existing material, disposal and/or furniture... these are all separate billable services included during the point of sale. Here's the thing you need to understand, very often we work on projects where we never see or meet the owners. One of the services, which we provide quite regularly, is what is known in the industry as 'white glove service'. Which means, we go in and remove & replace existing material, furniture, clean, dispose of all waste and when we leave, the only physical evidence of our presence is the beautiful new carpet or rug. This includes remaking beds, positioning pillows, magazines, photos, absolutely everything is left exactly as found. And yes, there is a charge for this service.

As for excellence, there are many paths to excellence but they all share the same attitude. What we are seeking is someone with the right attitude. The actual work is so easy it's funny. It only scares people because what we do is actually done different than most of the industry but it is not more difficult, it is just different. The hard part is understanding the time requirements and why the cost, for this caliber of service, is above the industry average. Another issue that is addressed and resolved at the point of sale.

I hope this answers some of the questions.

With kindest regards,

Dobby

[twomly]

A most excellent post Mr Dobby and if I lived in your area I would love this opportunity, come on guys if someone doesn't step upto the mark and go for it I might just sell up and go for it myself.
Mr Dobby is in a league of his own a league I would love to be in.