Name: Chris Saunders
Age: 39
Company: Floorcraft Reading Ltd.
Job Title: Company Director
How did you get into the flooring industry?
Through my dad’s family business.
What’s been the biggest change in the industry in the past 10 years?
Everything really! Choice has increased, and professionalism has definitely gone up a notch.
Looking forwards, what do you think will be the biggest change in the next 10 years?
I think things will continue down the sustainability route. I work a lot with wooden flooring, and I reckon solid wood floors will be phased out over time
What’s the worst job you’ve been on?
I once had a job taking a carpet up for an elderly lady. It ended up being a far bigger job than originally described; I had to take the floor up as well and meanwhile, the lady was at the door complaining to my dad about how messy and dusty I was leaving the place! He found the whole situation very funny, me not so much!
And what’s the best?
There have been a few to be honest. One that sticks out is a recent job putting down 100m2 of herringbone oak floor. Everything fell in to place like a jigsaw; it was perfect and extremely satisfying.
Do you have go-to-products for certain jobs?
Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound is a popular product here, along with Styccobond B90 and B95 woodworking adhesives by F. Ball.
What do you like best about the job?
The daily variation is great and I get to see an interesting range of sites. I also get to meet and work with good people (mostly!). It’s a very rewarding line of work – you could even say it’s a good way to keep fit!
What is your least favourite thing about the job?
Late payments, without a doubt. It’s always an issue, and sometimes it’s just ridiculous. Makes me grateful to be part of a smaller company; it still happens regularly, but not on the same scale as bigger companies, from what I hear.