7 Points to Identifying a True Expert
When you are searching for a company to do business with you will often see in their advertising that they claim to be “experts.” But have you stopped to think why they call themselves “experts?” What makes them an “expert?” Are they just self proclaimed or have they been certified by the industry? Before you spend your hard-earned money you need to make sure that the people you decide to do business with really are experts in their field.We suggest you look at these points to help you confirm that you are dealing with a true expert.
1. Knowledge. Clearly, being an expert requires an immense working knowledge in the field of hardwood flooring installation and finishing.
For hardwood flooring there is an organization called the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). They set the standards and guidelines for how a hardwood floor is to be installed and finished and how it is to perform. They offer schools and teach people how to properly work on hardwood floors. The NWFA is the place to go to when you want to know how a floor is to be done correctly. They also offer a certification program called “NWFA Certified Professionals.” Written as well as hands-on testing is conducted on someone who applies for this certification to see if they truly know how to do a floor properly. Using a Certified Professional gives you the client peace of mind, knowing that your floor will be handled carefully and to the highest industry standards. An expert hardwood flooring installer will know and follow NWFA guidelines.
2. Experience. You must have hands-on experience working with that knowledge. An expert usually has at least 5 years of experience in hardwood flooring. This time frame allows for someone to learn most of the ins and outs of the trade. But, we live in a constant state of change with government regulations and manufacturing changes that requires us to be always learning and updating how we do things.
3. Connectedness. Expertise is, ultimately, social. Experts are embedded in a web of other experts who exchange new ideas and approaches to problems, and they are embedded in a wider social web that connects them to people who need their expertise. Any expert in the field of hardwood flooring will be a contributing member of the NWFA, as well as offer free advice in different flooring forums to help educate the public on all aspects of hardwood flooring related issues.
4. Curiosity. Experts are curious about their fields and recognize the limitations of their own understanding of it. They are constantly seeking new answers, new approaches, and new ways of extending their field.
5. Commitment. Experts are enthusiastic about their fields of expertise. Look for serious, obvious commitment to the field. Experts don’t have to do what they do, they get to.
6. Authenticity. A real expert doesn’t need to scam anyone to sell his services. He practices what he preaches. If you feel that someone is trying to pull one over on you, find someone else.
7. Openness. Expertise speaks for itself. Trade secrets are for people who aren’t confident in their abilities that fear you won’t need them if you know what they’re doing. If someone is unwilling to explain to you what they’re doing, move onto the next expert.
If you would like our experts to work on your investment, your home, please give us a call and schedule a free in-home consultation at 253-864-0499 or use or online Free In-Home Estimate Form. You can also stop in and talk to us at our showroom located at 8801 Canyon Road East, Puyallup If you just have questions regarding a project you’re working on you can email them to Jon Engels using our Web Contact Form.
