Flooring & Remodeling

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Check references! Always! If they can't provide them, either they are not professionals in their trade or they have done poor work in the past.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. It's important for clients to realize that bigger is rarely better. Large companies are impersonal and the installation crew could be anyone. The client should feel comfortable that whom ever they let into their home is a true experienced, and trusted professional. Smaller companies are in fact usually less expensive because they don't have to support the overhead of a large company.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. My clients should contact me only with the desire to hire a professional who is educated in current decorating trends, and can advise them on styles, colors, etc. They say knowledge is power? Clients should educate themselves in regards to the products and services they are seeking.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have over a quarter of a century of professional experience. A large portion of my career has been working for interior decorators and custom home builders. My education and communication skills are vital to developing a personal relationship with my clients.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love what I do and it shows in my work. I am able to be creative every day. Each new clients job is different and the variety keeps me fresh.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Q: How come I havent heard of you before?
A: I recently began using the "web" to advertise, prior to that, word of mouth was my only platform of client generation.
Q: How come you only work alone?
A: My desire for perfection in each clients project does not allow me to trust my craft to the hands of others.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. In 1988, I was working in a clients home and moved their sofa in order to clear some floor space, a gold and diamond ring fell out and I returned it to the homeowner. She was overjoyed! I had found her long lost engagement ring.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. My clients need to know that I am a dedicated family man with five wonderful children and that because I work in the trades does not make me any different than them. I am educated and hope to slowly earn a PHD in anthropology so I can teach in my retirement.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. In 1983, I needed a way to pay for college so I began working with a contractor in Chicago. I quickly discovered that I loved what I was doing for a living. I found that being able to create something different every day gave me a great sense of pride and accomplishent!

Q. What are your most common types of jobs?

A. The vast majority of my work is in the flooring industry. It is primarily hardwood, laminate, stone, tile and carpet.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I was contacted by a Chase Bank executive regarding a flooring job. They wanted new carpet, hardwood, ceramic tile and stone work. There was a catch however. They needed to find materials and have the job completed within 2 weeks. They were expecting a baby! I was able to procure their materials, move their furniture, install everything and finish 1 day before the baby came home. The job was beautiful and they wrote me a fantastic testimonial. I still use the work photos in my portfolio.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am always attending home shows to stay updated on the latest decorating trends. I also take manufacturers installation workshops as new products are introduced into the market place.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The latest developments in my trade are not good ones. The downturn in the economy has lowered the wages we make, thus hearalding the arrival of unskilled labor from abroad. The result is catastrophic. Quality has declined and former tradesmen are re-educating themselves in other fields to make ends meet. One bright spot, many pre-finished hardwoods and laminates now come with an aluminum oxide finish making them almost impervious to scratching!

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I was recently contacted by a family that was expecting a baby in 2 weeks. They were desperate to find a contractor who could install flooring in their entire home before the baby's arrival. I was able to source the tile, stone, carpet, and hardwood and complete the entire job just in time. I even met the new arrival shortly thereafter. My clients were thrilled, and I was proud of the accomplishment. Another satisfied client!

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Decorator's Choice seeks only fair and reasonable rates in keeping with the current market and economy. While we don't work free, (with exception,) we will forever remain competitive!

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Make yourself invaluable by being diverse and offering services others in your profession do not.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q. If you could change one thing in the remodeling industry, what would it be?
A. I would require every trade to be licenced by the state. It would require an exam covering business basics and ethics!

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q. Where do you see current design trends going?
A. One word describes the current trends in flooring and interior design,retro! Glass tile back splash's reminicent of the victorian era are the latest hot thing. The newest retro tile is called "penny tile." and is composed of circular glass tiles the size of a penny and matted in 12"x12" sheets. These designs were originally hand blown by artisans for upscale victorian homes but are now affordable for any home. Penny tile comes in every concievable color combination. Add a "spash" to your kitchen or bath with penny tiles.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q. What questions should you ask when hiring a contractor?
A. Are you insured?
Are you registered with the state?
Do you have recent references and job photos?
What hours will you work on my job and how long will it take?
Do you warranty your work and for how long?
What if their are unforseen expenses on my job?
The correct answers should ensure that you are working with a pro!