Flooring is a hard trade requiring skill. Consider starting a flooring business with the following pros and cons:
Pros and Cons
- Pros: flexible, high pay, industry growth.
- Cons: physical work.
Create a business plan and marketing strategy. Figure out the costs to start and operate. Offer installation services and focus on measuring, cutting, preparing subfloors. Install various materials like wood, tile, vinyl, laminate. Also, consider refinishing or repairing floors. Have carpentry skills and attention to detail.
Education and Training
While a college degree is not necessary to become an installer, a degree in engineering can make you more desirable and allow you to advance. Develop relevant skills and gain experience. This ensures preparedness for entry-level jobs.
How to Price a Job
Expect to pay $6-$10 per square foot. So for a medium-sized living room of 330 square feet, the cost would be $1,660-$4,620 for materials and installation. Learn how to determine costs, calculate a rate, and offer discounts.
Potential Earnings
You may wonder, "How much money can you make flooring?" In Australia, for example, the average is about $62,000 AUD per year.
Is Flooring Right for You?
Flooring is a physically demanding job, involving bending, stooping, kneeling, and lifting heavy materials. If you’re not comfortable with manual labor, flooring might not be the right fit.
Training and Skills
Most entry-level jobs require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer applicants who completed an apprenticeship or have formal vocational training.
Carpet fitters, for instance, need certification and on-the-job training, often taking two years to become fully proficient.
The flooring industry offers numerous benefits like flexibility and income. In 2018, about 119,600 flooring jobs existed in the U.S., with an expected increase of 11% over the next decade. The job involves installing, finishing, and repairing hardwood flooring, which requires technical knowledge and physical labor.