Q. Almost all of my house is covered in wood flooring and there are about 8 people in the house. So you can imagine how hard it is to clean massive wood floors that get ALOT of traffic. I need some kind of machine to effectively clean my wood floors. I've been researching steamers and steamer vacuums, but I want to know which machine will work best. Also, my wood floors are surface sealed.
A. Use a damp mop with vinegar and water mixed 10 to 1. Why waste money on a machine that may ruin your floors? If there is any break in the finish on your floor, a steamer is forcing moisture into the wood. This will cause stains and possibly rot. You want as little moisture on your wood floors as possible.
What is the best place to start a wood flooring business?
Q. I had success running a wood flooring biz in Colorado, but I moved to San Diego and I'm finding that th pay vs cost of living arent too good here, plus alot of work is taken by immigrants. I dont want to mov back to Colorado so I'm looking for a city I could have the same success. Thanks
A. Excellent question. My sand and finish guy moved from Nebraska to Central Florida when Central Florida was having a housing boom....now that times are tight, he's looking at moving to Texas. He quickly found out the cost of living there is not great, plus...he has to start over from stratch. Personally, I think he's going to have the same problem there.
I fully appreciate what you're experiencing, fighting the substandard labor market. The problem is, when times get tight - new home builders start looking for ways to cut costs, and that usually means quality goes as well. Focus on retrofits....people with wood floors who need them redone. Make sure you visqueen off any areas not getting redone. Make sure you put plastic over the kitchen cabinets. Make sure your equipment is in perfect working order. Make sure you have sanding equipment with a vacuum attached, and then after you're done....vacuum with a heavy duty vacuum again. Make sure when you say you're going to be there Tuesday the 6th at 9:00am...You are there the Tuesday the 6th of the month you discussed at 9:00am...not 9:30 - not 4...but 8:45am to 9am. You and your crew should have matching shirts, khakis(they do sell them at WalMart), no visable tats, piercings, a sign on the van, and look like you can walk into a 5 million dollar home or a $5,000 home, with no issues whatsoever.
In this day and time of things getting tighter...NOTHING is going to go as far as customer service. Setting yourself as better than the rest. And word of mouth, is the most powerful advertising form. If you cost a bit more...make sure you have a reason why, and be able to back it up. This is not a quick solution, but one that takes time and patience. We've all had to take a second job to support our passion, but quality in workmanship, with the right clientele will always win out....you might have to do a job or two for "the fun"....and tell them....I'm doing this at a reduced rate - to prove what I can do. Of course, you'll always have your tight wads, who don't care if their floor has swirls, and bubbles - but most people want their friends to come in and say...Wow...who did your floors! NOT ....ummmm..so who did your floors?
So, while that didn't answer your question as to geography...if you're happy in the area....work your butt off....call on commercial companies as well, don't forget - to keep up with your education on every product.
Good Luck!
I fully appreciate what you're experiencing, fighting the substandard labor market. The problem is, when times get tight - new home builders start looking for ways to cut costs, and that usually means quality goes as well. Focus on retrofits....people with wood floors who need them redone. Make sure you visqueen off any areas not getting redone. Make sure you put plastic over the kitchen cabinets. Make sure your equipment is in perfect working order. Make sure you have sanding equipment with a vacuum attached, and then after you're done....vacuum with a heavy duty vacuum again. Make sure when you say you're going to be there Tuesday the 6th at 9:00am...You are there the Tuesday the 6th of the month you discussed at 9:00am...not 9:30 - not 4...but 8:45am to 9am. You and your crew should have matching shirts, khakis(they do sell them at WalMart), no visable tats, piercings, a sign on the van, and look like you can walk into a 5 million dollar home or a $5,000 home, with no issues whatsoever.
In this day and time of things getting tighter...NOTHING is going to go as far as customer service. Setting yourself as better than the rest. And word of mouth, is the most powerful advertising form. If you cost a bit more...make sure you have a reason why, and be able to back it up. This is not a quick solution, but one that takes time and patience. We've all had to take a second job to support our passion, but quality in workmanship, with the right clientele will always win out....you might have to do a job or two for "the fun"....and tell them....I'm doing this at a reduced rate - to prove what I can do. Of course, you'll always have your tight wads, who don't care if their floor has swirls, and bubbles - but most people want their friends to come in and say...Wow...who did your floors! NOT ....ummmm..so who did your floors?
So, while that didn't answer your question as to geography...if you're happy in the area....work your butt off....call on commercial companies as well, don't forget - to keep up with your education on every product.
Good Luck!
Can laminate wood flooring in two adjoining rooms be mismatched?
Q. We are moving into our first home and we are replacing the carpet in the living room with laminate wood flooring. The floor in the dining room is already laminate wood and joins up with the living room floor. We are trying to pick out new floors and are wondering if we can get a different color wood floor for the living room or if we need to match it perfectly with the dining room. Would mismatching the wood look tacky?? Calling all interior designers! I need your help!
A. What you are asking is a question of personal taste. I (being a wood lover) think it's kinda cool to bounce to contrasting wood off one another, But thats just me.
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