Homeowners doing their home project are always facing the challenge of finding a qualified and reputable carpet installer. Homeowners do not want to waste money and regret. Reliable carpet installers offer value for money services and quality results.
Some carpet installation job is more sophisticated, which requires a homeowner to hire for highly professional, experienced, and reputable carpet installer. There are carpet installers that offer a package of selling amazing carpet with installation services. There are instances that customers are willing to pay the high amount to ask for a custom installation to fit their taste, style, and comfort.
The carpet installation business is competitive and tough. However, there are a number of those service providers around that provide poor-quality and tricky service providers. If you can be able to position your integrity and reputation as a supplier of carpet with installation services, you can be way ahead in the competition.
Steps on how to become a reputable carpet installer
Remember that the ones that damage the reputation of carpet installation business are those poor-quality installers that lack capacity and fly-by-night installers that are after making some money. It dramatically affects the professional and quality carpet installers and damages the industry.
If you want to become one of the reputable carpet installers, follow these steps:
Step 1: Gain and gather experience
Successful entrepreneurs start from making themselves aware and understand the industry through experience.
Moreover, the best way to start gaining the experience is to submit yourself to in on-the-job training. Those new to this business can start learning the skills by assisting the experienced installers. Take hands-on work to learn the techniques on the removal and installation of carpets. As time goes by, your responsibilities will keep on advancing, such as cutting and fitting rug.
Take the chances of completing the apprenticeship program. These programs can offer you the opportunity to earn while you are learning the dynamics of trading. Mostly, apprenticeship takes 2-3 years to complete. It may be that long, but the hands-on experience using the modern occupational tools will lead you to the right way of becoming the reputable carpet installer. Often, carpet retailers, flooring contractors of carpet industry associations give announcements and invitations to be part of their apprenticeship program.
Above all, make sure you are in proper fit for this endeavor. The business will require you a lot of bending and kneeling. It needs a lot of physical strength, such as lifting and moving thick carpet. The common injuries in this business are muscle strains due to lifting large carpet rolls. Therefore, you need to tone and keep your body fir by building some muscles.
Step 2: Complete an OSHA Safety Training Certification
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency that provides safety training for personnel in the construction industry. The training program will build the capacity of individuals to recognize and prevent health and safety hazards in the workplace. You will also learn and understand the workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities to provide a safe workplace.
There are two levels of OSHA training: The first level is a 10-hour program fit for entry-level workers. The second level is the 30-hour program suitable for supervisors and personnel that are responsible for ensuring safety among workers and the workplace. If you completed the training courses, OSHA would give you a completion certificate.
Step 3: Get License
The requirement to have a contractor license may vary depending on your location. For example, in Arizona and California, carpet installers are required to hold the contractor license. Nevertheless, if you want to establish your reputation as one of the best carpet installers, you should get your contractor license. Even if your location does not necessarily need your license, but once any customer knows that your portfolio is showing you are a licensed contractor, they will immediately give their trust and confidence and will likely award you the bid for the project.
Step 4: Earn your certification
The Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI) is giving certification for entry-level residential and commercial installers and advanced installers or master installers.
- Entry-level certification programs require at least two years of experience
- Advanced level programs require four years of experience
To get the certification, you must pass the written, oral, and skills exam. Annually, you must renew your certification, which includes your attendance to two continuing education events every year.