Why should you use a certified flooring installer?

Homeowners and business owners need to know more about certified flooring installers because it can help them make better informed decisions about their flooring projects. A certified installer has completed a specific training program, passed a test, and has proven their knowledge and skills in the that specific section of the industry. This means they have a higher level of expertise and experience than a non-certified installer, which can provide several benefits.

National Association of Floorcovering Technicians

Certified Flooring Installers

First, certified installers have the knowledge and skills to properly install the flooring materials in which they were certified, which can help to prolong the life of the flooring and avoid any potential issues. This can save homeowners and business owners money in the long run, as they will not have to replace the flooring as frequently.

Natural Fiber Installer Certification

It’s time for us to build our network! Go Carerra is here to Help! Create your FREE Installer profile - Get TRAINED and GET WORK!

Floor Covering Education Foundation

Second, certified installers are familiar with the latest industry standards and best practices, such as proper installation techniques, safety regulations, and product specifications. This knowledge can help to ensure that the installation is done correctly, safely, and to industry standards, which can provide peace of mind for homeowners and business owners alike.

Certified Flooring Installers - Carpet Certification - Dave Garden Instructing

Third, certified installers are aware of the latest trends in flooring and can provide valuable insights and advice on the best options for your specific project, be it design, durability, or budget. This can help homeowners and business owners to make informed decisions about their flooring projects and choose the best options for their specific needs and budgets.

Ceramic Tile Education Foundation

Floor Covering Industry Contractors Association

National Wood Flooring Association

Lastly, it's important to note that certified installers will have insurance and licenses to protect the customer in case of any damage or accident during the installation process.

National Academy of Floorcovering Technicians - Heat Weld and Flash Cove Training - Mike Pigeon Instructing

Education also plays an important role in the flooring industry. A flooring installer with a higher level of education and training will have a deeper understanding of the products, installation techniques, and industry standards. This knowledge can help them to make informed decisions, provide better customer service, and complete installations that meet or exceed industry standards.

The HUDDLE is where the flooring industry can get together and talk about everything! Lead by Paul Stuart from Go Carerra who is joined by Daniel and Jose Gonzalez from Preferred Flooring.

Forward Progress Scholarship

There are many times when talking with installation professionals that the cost of going to a certification plays a huge roll in why they don’t try to obtain them. Not only do you have to take the time off from installing projects, you have to pay for the travel, hotels and the class itself. It adds up!

That’s why Go Carerra has announced the Forward Progress Scholarship!

Go Carrera has partnered with the FCICA to create the Forward Progress Scholarship, giving installers the opportunity to apply to attend FCICA’s CIM Program or their 3-days-to-CIM Program.

The CIM (Certified Installation Manager) Program sets the industry standard for those who manage commercial flooring installation projects. The program is a series of learning modules that are followed by assessments to accurately determine that the participant is retaining the knowledge they are learning. Once all modules and assessments are completed and passed, the participant will be awarded with the CIM Certification. The CIM Program is also available to claim in the Go Carrera app to display your accomplishments & increase your Hammer Rating.

The application will open on November 7th, and will close on December 15th. The winner will be chosen and announced on The Huddle Podcast, as well as on Go Carrera and FCICA’s social media and websites on January 10th. Click here to apply for the Forward Progress Scholarship.

Create your FREE Installer profile at https://gocarrera.com and become part of the future of the industry TODAY!

TISE 2020

The International Surfaces Event 2020 was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV last week and IT. WAS. AMAZING!

This was our first time out to the show and we went as a group. Larry from Apex flooring was the only one who has been out previously and he was an AMAZING help throughout the event, we couldn’t be more thankful for him and showing us around.

Jose, Daniel - Preferred Flooring, Larry - Apex Flooring, Dirk - Custom Floor Crafters

We started the week off by getting registered right away and trying to get some sneak peeks into the show. Guess what? They weren’t having any of that and security SHUT IT DOWN!

We then decided it was time to walk around Vegas like tourists since the Education didn’t start until Monday morning, while the Show didn’t start until Tuesday.

Monday we all hit the ground running with some CONVERGE sessions. The education aspect of the show is amazing and there’s TONS of useful information discussed. So much so that it was a little difficult to choose which sessions to go to.

Then there's SO MUCH to say about the NETWORKING!!!!!! Emerging Professionals, Flooring Installers of America, CFI, and of course all of the amazing vendors. There was so much to see, and so much to do. Even if you only spoke to someone briefly, the knowledge and passion at this convention makes you want to return and make it an annual thing. It lights a fire under you knowing that there’s so many other people out there with the same passion for floor covering.

AND last but not least . . . . The National Installer of the Year Competition. It is VERY humbling to install in front of the entire convention with some AMAZING installers. It doesn’t matter if you won or lost in the competition, these guys were in it to win it. The 2 days were a challenge and we worked every minute they gave us. It was a GREAT experience and I recommend you to give it a shot sometime! Make sure you keep an eye out to see when the entries need to be submitted.

If you were ever on the fence about going to this event and if it was worth it . . . . . Do yourself a favor and go. We will see you there!

A HUGE Shout out to the supporters. Jose Gonzalez, the face of Preferred Flooring - If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have given flooring a chance and I definitely wouldn’t be as good as I am now without your knowledge and expertise. Larry Melton with Apex Flooring, you talked this event up to us to the point we wanted to go more than you, we love being your partner and friend. Dirk O’Brien with Custom Floor Crafters, you’re always there when we have a question and always willing to help us out. My wife Tanya for being my biggest fan and having so much confidence you told everyone I was going to win before I even got accepted. CFI, ProInstaller Magazine and TISE for putting together a great show and a great competition. All the other competitors for becoming great friends and all the judges for taking the time to critique every minute we were in those boxes. Last but not least - Check out some of these Partners . . .

LEISTER Technologies

Turbo Heat Welding Tools

National Academy of Floor Covering Training (NAFCT)

STUBBI Flooring Tools

We NEED Change!

I’ve been in the industry for 20 years and I tell young kids DO NOT GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY . . . Why? Because the flooring installation industry is lacking. We are a hardworking group that doesn’t get compensated for all the abuse we put ourselves through. Flooring is TOUGH on your body, to the point a lot of other tradesman have told me that they couldn’t imagine having to do this full time. Not only is it super hard on the body, where are the compensation and benefits like other trades? Flooring doesn’t require schooling or certifications so that means we’re not worth as much? Give me a break. The people who actually take their time to educate themselves are constantly underbid by someone who is looking to cut a corner to make a quick buck.

We. Need. Change!

I was once told that I wasn’t liked by one of the flooring stores because I am “Trying to change the industry” and they thought it was an insult. This is one of the best compliments I’ve ever had, and I hope one day our name sticks out as one of the few who actually help the industry. What kind of change is needed? LOTS. Let’s just start out with the basics.

Most of the flooring contractors around the area subcontract their labor out. By doing so they avoid the costly expenses of having employees. Does it work? The short answer, not all the time. The government has processes in place that need to be followed and I see far too many “independent contractors” working for just one contractor. The problem here is that they SHOULD be considered an employee.

The second step in this is that the “independent contractor” then hires his own guys and pays them on a 1099 as a, you guessed it, another 1099 “independent contractor” doing work for just that one person.

This is where people get all butthurt when I call them out and say “it’s legal, it’s how we’ve always done it”

We have to pull it together and realize that it’s not how it should be. I started as a 1099 “employee” when I was 12 years old. The problem with this is that most people DO think that it’s ok. It’s time to educate these people. This is one of the biggest problems that I see and it’s because this leads people to not pay their fair share of taxes. When they don’t pay their taxes they don’t have to “worry” about raising their prices because well, they’re not paying their taxes.

There’s far too many flooring business owners who are GREAT at flooring installation, but lack the business knowledge to run it. This is one of the main reasons we lack the benefits other trades have. When you can’t even classify employees right, how is it possible to establish a benefits package? How can we as an industry compete and get new young talent, when a factory can start someone out at $14-$16 an hour and have a benefits package of paid vacation, retirement, health, dental and life insurance right from the start? We. NEED. Change!

Look. We are ALL in this together, and without us all doing SOMETHING we aren’t going to be able to attract the talent to lead the flooring installation industry in the future. Just. Do. SOMETHING.

Start out small. Do you have guys who should be employees but you pay them on a 1099? Switch them over to a w2. Why? It’s the right thing to do.

Do you already pay your employees on a w2? Look into what benefits you can offer to them, maybe start with a paid vacation?

We all need to come together and push for the future, because times are changing and it’s time for us to adapt. Raise your prices, pay your taxes, and pay your guys the way they should be paid. Let’s start making a change!

Feel free to comment below.

For direct questions or comments email daniel@preferredflooringmi.com

Prevailing Wage

While Michigan is in the process of verifying signatures from a petition to repeal prevailing wage, I thought it would be appropriate to give our side of the story. 

 https://timeforrepeal.com/michigans-prevailing-wage-law-is-tied-for-worst-in-the-us/

Before starting our business, my brother and I worked for a local shop. We had been in a handful of prevailing wage projects and always heard the office staff talking about how burdensome it was on the company. Although it was GREAT as an employee, we were soon to learn the other side and why it isn’t so great. 

 “The Prevailing Wage law also allows for safety and training programs that are rigorous and hands-on. With prevailing wage in place, Michigan’s skilled tradespeople can safely build the vital infrastructure our state needs with craftsmanship and quality.”

-  http://www.michiganprevails.com/

While many pro prevailing wage advocates ensure that it allows for training programs that are “rigorous and hands on”, I have not set foot on one of these programs. I have been in the flooring industry for 18 years and have set foot on many prevailing wage job sites and not once was a training program even offered. I’ve been on many where we did not even have a safety manual. Where were these programs when we were on these job sites? Any training we have ever done has had nothing to do with prevailing wage. In fact, I can argue that on all of the projects (flooring) that are put out for bid in our area (West Michigan) have the least qualified people on the job. Minimal training, minimal safety. Why? Read our blog about low bids to get an idea. 

The projects that we’ve been on have actually not been more expensive in the labor market, they’ve been lower. How could this be? Flooring companies hiring subcontractors that know little to nothing about the prevailing wage laws. Hiring us, and in some cases not even telling us it was a certified payroll job until we were complete with the project. Telling us how to fill out the certified payroll so only partners were on there, to make it look as though no prevailing wages were needed to be paid. Telling us it’s on on “honor” system and none of the certified payroll is reviewed. Hiring other subcontractors who treat their employees as 1099 subcontractors even though they don’t have sufficient insurance. Crews of 3-4 people who all work together everyday, but are “independent” from one another. The companies contracting the work to us then throw out ridiculous low bids on the labor because who cares, they’re making their profit off of the material. Labor LOWER than market value, to companies that couldn’t pay their employees the necessary wages even if they wanted to. 

While the wages seem great to the employees, it makes these projects higher in cost and that money comes out of your pocket.  

After starting a job at a well known college in our area, we did the math on how wrong this companies bid was. If we paid 3-4 guys the wages necessary, we would have to get the job done in one week to break even. This project was a THREE WEEK project. How is it fair for them to throw these SUPER low bids and get the work, and then try and weave around the system to get the work done? It’s not fair for anyone! Yet it happens, year after year. Using the smaller companies who need the work in order to survive, by making them risk everything because the knowledge they lack about the situation. 

 We still have companies who call us, asking for numbers on prevailing wage projects. The math is simple, the wages are 2-3 times as much, so multiply normal rates by that. If anyone in the flooring industry actually throws those numbers out like that we’d be laughed at, even though it’s exactly where the numbers should be  

Instead of prevailing wage, we should convert everyone overseeing that to search out compliance. This contractor hasn’t reported wages in years, or this contractor sure has a lot of 1099 contractors that only work for them. Maybe then our industry could support the wages necessary to combat the worker shortages that we are experiencing. 

Visit here to read on other factors on why prevailing wages are not a necessity.  

Feel free to comment below.

For direct questions or comments email daniel@preferredflooringmi.com

Why Silica Compliance Matters

When OSHA passed the new standards regarding silica in construction (OSHA 1926.1153), the flooring industry was shaken up and shuffled to play catch up. Although the standard was scheduled for some time, many companies seemed to be blind sided and by the time it was enforced, not ready with necessary knowledge or tooling to keep up with the changes.

The Wolff Neo keeping the dust under control. Under OSHA rules this unit can be ran all day without the need for a respirator. 

Silica has been known about since around the same time as they discovered asbestos, yet nothing has been done until now. Many colleagues now have the mindset “Well, it’s too late to save my health, I’ve been breathing this stuff in for twenty years”.  The fact remains that it is not too late to start being compliant with the new rules. Not only does it benefit the customer, but your health is also important. Crystalline Silica can cause silicosis and can be disabling, and in some cases, fatal. The three classifications of silicosis can be found here. 

There’s far too many people out there that think the standard doesn’t effect them, when everyone should be investing in new tooling and putting procedures in place to become compliant. Many, if not all of our patch compounds contain silica. You’re exposed from the mixing stages to the sanding stages. The grinding of concrete and mortar is huge with exposure and you need to know what necessary precautions are based on equipment used  Table 1 from OSHA is a great starting point, but you should also create your own Silica Exposure Plan focused on your own equipment. 

Even on the final sand before resilient is installed, it’s still necessary to hook up a hepa vacuum and have a dust skirt in order to keep the dust at bay. 

Although the push forward has been hard, Preferred Flooring MI LLC is proud to say that we have implemented new procedures and tooling to be compliant with the new standards. We are openly sharing our knowledge with others in the industry and feel as though everyone should take the necessary steps,and make the necessary investments in not only equipment, but time, to become compliant. There’s been some push to have at least some of the additional labor and investment in not only new tooling, but time to educate employees, onto the customer. If everyone pulls together as an industry and all raise rates it would make things much easier. Stores need to educate the customer on why rates are increasing and let them know it’s for the health and safety of everyone involved in the project. 

Make sure you’re running a vacuum with the proper CFM (cubic feet per minute) recommended by OSHA. 

If you’re unaware of OSHA’s new standard regarding silica, please refer to the linked table one and osha sites above. 

Feel free to comment below.

For direct questions or comments email daniel@preferredflooringmi.com