Talk is Cheap
Identifying experienced companies in the trades can be difficult. Some flooring businesses are well marketed “cover brands” that assign their client work to sub-contractors.
Trouble arises when the same subcontractors look for shortcuts to complete a project or maximize profit.
Let’s investigate how one goes about differentiating quality contractors from troublemakers.
Materials
Print warranties do not guarantee quality. Chain of custody and knowing the manufacturer are essential.
Ownership
Who owns a business actually matters. Trades businesses backed by hedge funds generally lack operational cohesion.
Training
Continuing education and training are a hallmark of one’s passion for their trade. We invest in knowledge.
Operations
Service is a product of a positive attitude and being able to complete projects on time. A symphony of skills and effort.
Documented Experience
National Wood Flooring Association
The Sandhaus has built our operations using the training and techniques learned during NWFA trainings. We have attended all technical training schools and wood floor inspector school.
Manufacturer Training
We have attended manufacturer trainings for domestic and European finish and machine manufacturers. Knowing the compatibility and composition of finishing products is an insurance policy for project success.
Formal Education
Originally trained in life sciences, we have worked to adopt these documentation and QC behaviors into our company. Record keeping and process monitoring helps us maintain higher workmanship standards and consistency.
Does your contractor actually have twenty years of experience? Or one year of experience repeated twenty times?
Transparency and Communication
No Gimmicks
The projects and work we create is done entirely in house. We don’t sub-contract our work. Our reputation is built upon consistency of service.
Products
How a product is manufactured and installed will affect the longevity and value. We only source and install products that have a long performance life.
Etiquette
Central to our operations is dust management while working. Keeping your home clean, staying on schedule, and delivering quality floors is our promise.
Long Term Value
The variety of products available in the flooring market can be overwhelming. Wood flooring is manufactured in many different configurations. Therefore, installation and acclimation procedures will vary and using a one size fits all approach will not work.
Manufacturers have requirements for subfloor flatness and level to install their flooring. This helps prevent deflection and noise issues. Securing the subfloor to structural joists will also stop squeaks.
Trouble can arise with wood flooring when acclimation procedures are not followed. Floors that are improperly acclimated can develop gaps or have cupping issues.
My point is that a flooring project can appear well done cosmetically speaking. With time it will become apparent the differences between a well executed flooring project and one performed by a hack masquerading as a professional. What tradespeople should aim for is a zero failure rate of their workmanship.
Experience = Insurance
As I mentioned, true experience is a combination of formal training mixed with field experience. I urge you to know that the contractor with the lowest price will generally have the least amount of formal industry training. At The Sandhaus we collaborate with a network of wood flooring contractors and colleagues acquired during twenty years of professional development.
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