My Journey to Becoming a Certified Flooring Craftsman

I assume that my career in floor installation started off like many other flooring installers. I was looking for work, and I fell into a job.

Initially, like most installers, I felt that our jobs are unimportant by today’s standards and definitions of success. We go to work doing something that most people have no idea is a job/career/profession. However, I want to share some of my journey with you and how getting involved with CFI changed my opinion.

My career started in the summer of 2004. I had previously left college, not finishing. I took a job working at our local Kmart and quickly realized I was going to be stuck living with my parents if I did not find a better job soon. There was a job listed in our weekly paper looking for a furniture delivery and flooring installer helper. On the application under the “what special skills do you have” question, I answered, “I can lift heavy things!” It was obviously the correct answer. They hired me right away.

Prior to starting, I had a little experience with construction and did enjoy busy work. As a helper, it was a lot of busy work. The one thing that really kept me engaged and eager to come back to work those first couple years was just that. Removing old floor covering and prepping for new, keeping job sites clean and tools ready to go were my daily duties.

When it was time for me to become the installer, I asked the owner of the store I was working for if I could have a raise. He stated, “The best thing for you to do is become an independent flooring installer.” I followed his advice. I transitioned from an employee into a subcontractor/1099. (This could be a novel on just all the experiences I went through in this transition).

After working a couple of years, the first big leap I took in my journey was to seek out others who were doing a better job than myself. I had an especially slow winter, so I traveled my area looking for work and the opportunity to learn from more experienced installers. Almost every store gave me the same response, “We’re not looking for any help. Our installer is a perfectionist, probably the best in the nation, and he only works alone.” If you ever see a post of mine on social media about Iowa having the best flooring installers, this is where it came from.

I left my number and contact information with the stores, but I never received a phone call. Disappointed, I went to the next best thing, the Internet. I was searching flooring schools, floor education, floor training and so on. I was amazed at how limited the options were. (This was around 2007-2009). Eventually, I came across CFI, reading about how they would go across the country training and certifying installers. I was intrigued. Yet, it was not until 2012 that I attended a certification.

My first CFI experience was a Hardwood and Laminate Certification held at Hank’s Specialties in Omaha, Nebraska. It was taught by Bob Gillespie, Mr. #1, (Bob is the proud owner of the very first CFI certification number) and Alan Ellis. For two days we worked in modules after which I was hooked! The class was filled with installers who shared my same passion for floor covering. I wanted and needed more.

Over the next couple of years, I received more certifications for carpet and resilient. I spent a week in South Carolina at CTEF, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation. I went to just about any training I could get to. I remember one time driving two and a half hours after work to attend a one-hour Shaw carpet seaming demonstration and then driving the two and a half hours back home. It did not matter. Any opportunity to learn something new, I wanted to be there.

With the additional skills, my installation career took off. With the training and certifications I received over the years, I was able to work on more difficult projects, and I was able to charge more money for the work. I also have become more efficient with my time, enabling me to spend more time doing the other things I enjoy. Just as importantly, making more money has made it easier to further invest in my business and myself. When asked “Why do I need to be certified?” or “Why should I go to training?” I answer with exactly what I stated above. Do you want to make more money? Do you want more time to yourself? We all want more of both.

Now, as a member of the Advisory Board and as a trainer, I am even more involved in CFI. I am still a student of my craft, but I also get the opportunity to teach everything I have learned to other installers. During the COVID shutdown, I was off work for a little while and this is when I was able to reflect back on my career. I could see how fortunate and good things have been for me. It was time for me to give something back. Reaching out to CFI, I asked if I could assist with an upcoming training in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The experience was energizing. Since then, I have volunteered and assisted with several trainings and certifications in Iowa, Tennessee, Indiana and Kansas. The past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to talk to high school students about careers in floor covering along with instructing at Hawkeye Community College in Cedar Falls, Iowa for their Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) installation program. This past year, I was also able to assist FCEF and the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) in putting together an online training program for their state.

Where does my journey go from here? Training is my passion. I want to explore the opportunities to train using social media and other available technology. One of my goals is to see CFI establish a YouTube channel to ensure that installers are getting the best information available by sharing best practices and training tips. I see this as a real opportunity to reach likeminded installers. Also, I would love to help expand the FCEF training programs throughout the U.S. Our education systems have many resources. It is a no-brainer to me that these training programs get implemented alongside all the other trade programs in our schools.

Encouraging other installers to step up and help is another important part of my journey. Here is my advice: stop telling yourself that you are just a flooring installer! We do meaningful work that does impact people’s lives in a positive way. Be proud of what we do.

During my journey, I have fallen but have fallen forward. It is what you learn from these times that puts us in position to become successful. Failing is all part of the journey.

The floor covering community has some of the greatest people this world has to offer. Being involved with CFI and witnessing their commitment to the industry and to each other has shown me just that. Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I think it is up to every one of us to make sure that those coming up behind us have an easier go at it than we did. Sharing our knowledge is great way to achieve it.