Before Carlos started helping Memphis homeowners pick out flooring, he spent a decade putting it down.
Now working as a salesperson at King Flooring, he brings something most flooring salespeople don’t have to the table: firsthand knowledge of what happens after the sale. He’s been on his knees in living rooms, kitchens and hallways across the Mid-South, laying floor after floor and seeing what separates a great installation from one that causes a problem down the road.
“The one thing I really liked was getting to show customers the finished product,” Carlos says. “That feeling doesn’t change on the sales side. I still get to see the end result, I just help people get there from the beginning now.”
That shift, from a Memphis flooring installer to advisor, shapes how we approach every project at King Flooring. Let’s talk about what a decade of hands-on installation experience teaches you about getting a flooring job right.
Preparation is More Than Half the Job
As any experienced installer knows, half the work happens before the first plank goes down, most homeowners don’t realize this.
Subfloor prep can determine whether installations succeed or fail. A subfloor that isn’t level, clean and dry will show with the finished floor right away or even six months later. Gaps, buckling, uneven seams and premature wear are a result of skipped prep work, not the product itself.
A great installer assesses the subfloor and addresses moisture, which is essential in humid Memphis. They also level out any problem areas before installation day. Rushing costs more time and money later.
Material Choice and Installation Method Have to Match
Every floor installs differently so not every method suits every space. For example, floating floors like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and laminate react differently from glue-down installations. Engineered hardwood also has its own requirements. One mistake can lead floors to move, squeak or separate over time.
An experienced installer knows their materials and installation methods. It’s important to understand everything from rooms with radiant heat, heavy moisture exposure or unusual subfloor conditions. Proper installation can be the difference between a floor that lasts 20 years and one that lasts five.
At King Flooring, we install everything we sell. The people recommending your floors are the ones putting it down so material recommendations and installation are always in line.
Acclimation Can’t Be Skipped
Materials like hardwood floors need time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the space. The process is called acclimation. Generally, this is 48 to 72 hours. Otherwise, you risk the floor expanding, contracting and gapping.
Even on a tight timeline, it’s important not to skip this step. Experienced installers know this and understand what happens when they rush.
The Details at the Edges Matter
Transitions, trim and edge work are the difference between a finished and unfinished flooring project. Gaps, thresholds, poorly fitted transitions between rooms and trim that doesn’t sit flush separate a professional installation from a DIY attempt. Homeowners notice the difference.
Great installation is precise work. It’s important to have patience at the edges and corners, not just speed across the open floor.
The Best Part of the Job Doesn’t Change
Even as a salesperson, Carlos’s favorite part of every flooring project is showing the customer the finished product. It’s what drives the sales side of the work too.
“I like helping people pick materials and colors, explaining the differences between materials,” he says. “It’s exciting to show them the end product.”
The combination of installation knowledge and genuine enthusiasm is what we bring to every flooring project. When you choose us, you’re not getting a salesperson who’s never seen a floor go down. You’re getting someone who knows what it takes to get it right from first conversation to the last piece of trim.
Ready to Work with People Who Know Flooring From the Ground Up?
Carlos started as a flooring installer and is still more than happy to share that knowledge with customers as a salesperson. We’re proud to have him as part of our team at King Flooring in Memphis.
Ready for new flooring? Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation today!
