Is Flooring a Good Trade? Pros & Cons of a Flooring Career

The flooring trade is a skilled trade that involves the installation and repair of various types of flooring materials, such as carpet, hardwood, tile, and laminate. 

Flooring is a good trade thanks to high salaries and growing job prospects. Here are the pros and cons of a career installing floors.

Flooring Trade Benefits

1. Good Job Prospects

As mentioned, flooring is a growing industry with good job prospects for those willing to learn the trade and get to know their way around the necessary skills needed for this job.

2. Variety

Flooring installation and repair can be done in both residential and commercial settings, so there’s a lot of variety in the type of work you can do as a floorer. 

• You could find yourself working on new construction projects one day and repairing damaged floors in historic homes the next. 

3. Creativity

Flooring is a profession that allows you to use your creativity to transform spaces.

• If you enjoy using your hands to create something beautiful, flooring might be the trade for you. 

4. Job Security

You know your job will be safe as flooring is unlikely to be overtaken by technology. There will always be a need for people who do flooring installs.

• In May 2021, the median yearly salary for flooring installers and tile and stone setters was $47,310, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Flooring Trade Drawbacks

1. Physical Demands

Flooring is a physically demanding job that requires bending, stooping, kneeling, and lifting heavy materials regularly. 

• If you’re not comfortable with manual labor or have any physical limitations that would make this type of work difficult, then flooring might not be the right fit for you. 

2. Training

Becoming a flooring installer or repairer, like any other skilled trade, requires training and experience. 

• Most entry-level positions will require at least a high school diploma or equivalent, but many employers prefer applicants who have completed an apprenticeship or have some formal training from a vocational school. 

3. Dust allergies

Another challenge faced by many floorers is dealing with dust allergies. 

• Some people are allergic to the dust created when sanding or refinishing floors, which can make working in this trade challenging (and even dangerous) for them. 

4. Long hours

Because most businesses are open during traditional 9-5 business hours, many floorers work long hours, including nights and weekends. 

• If you’re uncomfortable with irregular hours or working more than 40 hours per week, this might not be the right career for you. 

Conclusion

Being a flooring professional has many benefits, including using creativity to transform spaces. Self-employed flooring contractors also make high salaries.

Still, some challenges come with the job, including long hours and working with budget constraints.