Rates Are Too Low In Canada

Taurus Flooring

Installation rates have remained the same for too many years and have not kept up with inflation. With a booming economy, why is this. Retailers are screaming for journeyman installers across the country, but are not providing incentives to bring on new blood. It is up to the subcontractors to set the standards for a healthy future in this industry. I have been at this for over 25yrs and have met many general contractors who did almost everything except flooring, because they all said it took great skills to do it. Why are we not paid what we are worth. It's up to us to set the bar. Make July 1/06 the day professionalism was the word that indentified flooring installers.

reveivl

Well, so far everyone (100%) agrees with you. I'm not exclusively flooring, I do remodeling which often includes flooring, but I pretty much set my own price so you may want to discount my input.
Hey, welcome to the forum from another (albeit western) canuck.
Rich.

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Big Dave

If you can raise your rates and keep busy go for it. I keep inching mine up and up and so far I've been keeping busy.

Dave.

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http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

PrecisionFloors

The biggest reason for it is a lack of business sense...if you let some one tell you what they are willing to pay you, you lose. Remember it is your BUSINESS, operate it profitably. You set your rates, not the retailer, builder, GC, etc. If you are good at what you do, are concientious (sp) and know how to sell yourself, you will never be underpaid. Most guys walk into a retailers shop and say " whadda you guys pay on carpet, vinyl, etc" I walk in (which is very , very rare) with a price list, references, and a confident ability to sell them on the fact that you get what you pay for. Fast, Cheap, Good....Pick two. A smart retailer knows a good installer brings in repeat business better than anything, and we all know repeats and referrals are the easiest sales out there.

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