Page 9 - CFJ_Jul26

that’s been completed. That helps us keep ‘My team says I’m
track of quality across projects. Of course,
occasionally there might be the odd issue – a one of the hardest
bubble in vinyl, for example – but generally the
team know what’s expected and we’re very people in the
consistent now.
industry to work for
How do you keep updated with standard – but I say at least
specifications and manufacturer guidance?
I try to stay very much on top of new products they can be proud
and price variations and understanding
what you actually get for your money. One of the work they
frustration is housebuilders often set up their
own deals directly with manufacturers for deliver every day’
carpets and flooring.
In many cases it’s essentially the same
product being sold under multiple names.
I’ve literally got a sheet showing six different the client still wants to proceed, we’ll suggest
names for the same carpet depending on ways to make it workable, often through
the supplier or the builder’s agreement. The additional preparation such as a DPM or latex
specification might be identical, but the name levelling, which can significantly increase costs.
and price vary depending on the deal. Everything is documented by email. We
That can be frustrating because sometimes learned long ago that relying on verbal
the products chosen aren’t necessarily the conversations can lead to misunderstandings
best option. In the past I’ve tried very hard to onsite, so we now put everything in writing.
persuade clients to change to a better or more We also carry out a site visit before installation
cost-effective product, even putting together and follow up with an email outlining any
detailed comparisons. But on one occasion it concerns or specification issues. Sometimes
actually lost me work because it was perceived these arise close to the fitting date, which can
as challenging their decision. be disruptive, but generally we resolve them
Since then I’ve learned sometimes it’s better
to just get on with it and install what’s been quickly.
specified, even if you know it’s not the best
product available. How do you plan labour to balance reliability,
skills and workload?
What do you look for at tender stage to avoid The subcontractors we use regularly are
problems later onsite? people we’ve worked with for a long time.
At tender stage, we focus on reading We try to stay flexible with them and keep
everything carefully because there’s always communication open. The ops team lets them
a huge amount of documentation. We clearly know what work is coming up so they can plan
outline what is included within our tender ahead.
and highlight anything that isn’t. Recently, for It’s very much about relationships. We
example, I started separating latex levelling encourage them to take on private work and
work as an additional item because uneven fill their diaries when things are quieter. Then
floors onsite can quickly become a major issue when we know a busy period is coming up,
if not properly accounted for. we give them plenty of notice so they can
We don’t charge excessive amounts for extra prioritise our work and avoid booking holidays
preparation work and will usually offset it during those times.
against the original tender, but floor conditions Most of the installers we work with have
can vary significantly from site to site. When been with us for around 15 years, so there’s a
we insist on carrying out the preparation really strong rapport there. They’re not always
correctly, it can sometimes feel like we’re the the easiest people to manage – that’s the
‘bad guys’ because it affects the programme. nature of the trade – but they understand that
Ultimately, it’s about being clear from the we’re all working as part of the same team.
outset. Builder contracts can be extremely
complex, so a lot comes down to relationships, How do you ensure subfloor preparation is
trust and managing expectations properly from done properly on every project?
day one. Ultimately it’s the installers’ responsibility to
make sure the preparation is right, because if
What do you do if a specification isn’t right it isn’t, they know it will come back to them
for the conditions or use of the space? when something goes wrong.
If something clearly isn’t suitable, we say so That said, the guys we use have all been with
immediately and explain the risks involved. If us for a long time and they’re quite cautious.

www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk 9
@CFJMagazine CFJ June 2026