The Changing State of the Contract Flooring Market

By Alan McEwan, CFA President

Reflecting on nearly 30 years in the flooring trade, it’s impossible not to notice how much has changed. Looking in the mirror, I’ll be the first to admit I have a lot less hair than I used to, and what’s left is certainly greyer. But beyond the personal toll of three decades in the business, our industry has undergone a profound transformation, even if some of the biggest challenges remain the same.

Products and pressure

It’s no surprise to anyone that the market share of the products we install has changed massively. When I entered the industry, carpet and textiles held the lion’s share of the market, but that has waned as resilient floorcoverings have caught up and, in many cases, overtaken them. The meteoric rise of luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) and the adoption of new standards for safety and non-slip flooring have fundamentally changed our daily work.

However, this variety comes with modern pressures. The industry is more competitive than it ever has been. We face tighter margins, more demanding timelines, and the constant pressure of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. Although, while I feel it was more relaxed ‘back in the day’, I suspect I may be guilty of a bit of being slightly nostalgic.

Professional shift

Where we have seen a definitive change for the better is in the perception of our craft. When I started, flooring wasn’t always regarded as a true construction trade. Today, it stands on par with any other. This is reflected in qualifications – we’ve moved from Level 2 apprenticeships to Level 3 (or Level 6 in Scotland). It is supported by a massive amount of post-qualification training and manufacturer backup, like the kind offered by FITA at its training centre and at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence.

There is also much more engagement from manufacturers to revise and update British Standards and how we do things.

Stronger together

In terms of the CFA, it merged with the AFCCS, the historic Scottish body founded in 1960. It was essential to provide Scottish contractors with an association fit for the 21st century. Since then, engagement and membership north of the border have increased massively, ensuring we tackle these modern challenges as a cohesive industry.

Some things stay the same. Payment and retentions remain the biggest hurdles for our members. While we have worked tirelessly with other trade associations to get these issues on the Government’s radar, we are still a long way from a perfect world. The fight for fair treatment and timely payment remains a core focus of our collective efforts.

Looking ahead

Despite the challenges, our industry is going from strength to strength, with a highly professional and skilled workforce. Many of us have been here a long time, which suggests that, on some level, we must enjoy it. It is still very much a people business.

Change is inevitable, and it is how we react to it that matters. You can moan about it, or you can diversify and adapt to keep moving forward. The CFA exists to better equip the industry to deal with these changes, and by staying engaged, we ensure that as the industry evolves, we evolve with it.

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