Contract Dealers: on Maintenance - July 2008

By Brian Hamilton

In a down economy, many flooring contractors are looking for new sources of revenue. Sometimes that means entering a new line of business altogether, and some contractors have found that flooring maintenance fits the bill.

There are plenty of good reasons for a flooring contractor whose core business has traditionally been product sales and installation to enter the commercial maintenance side of the business, but it also has its challenges. On the plus side, the margins can be many times higher than a typical product and installation business, although the jobs tend to be smaller in value, so volume is critical. If designed properly, a maintenance business can also provide a steadier stream of income, especially in a soft economy, because much of it is done on long-term contracts, not one-off jobs. It’s also a great way to maintain almost constant contact with customers during those times when they aren’t buying new flooring.

For the complete story, see the July 2008 issue of Floor Focus Magazine.

Copyright 2008 Floor Focus