What is a Floor Layer?

Floorcovering installers install, repair and replace floorcovering materials including underlayment, carpet, sheet goods (e.g., vinyl and linoleum) and tile in commercial, residential and industrial buildings.

Floorcovering installers may also install wall coverings made of carpet or vinyl.

Working from blueprints or verbal instructions, floorcovering installers:

• inspect and prepare substrates for floorcovering
• determine placement of any necessary seams or joints, and estimate the quantity of material required
• measure and cut floorcovering materials to fit around permanent obstructions
• install a foam or rubber pad over floors to be carpeted
• sew carpet seams together or use special heat tape to join carpet pieces
• stretch carpet and fasten it by means of a tackless strip around the perimeter of the room, or by gluing it to the floor
• install sheet goods and resilient tile by applying adhesive to the substrate, laying the covering and rolling it with a roller
• match and insert pieces of material in damaged areas
• remove or replace baseboard moulding as required
• install floorcovering materials on stairs
• practice good customer relations

Floorcovering installers work indoors at various work sites. They typically work a 40-hour, five-day week, with some overtime required to meet construction deadlines. Night work may be required on some projects.

Apprenticeship Training

The term of apprenticeship for a floorcovering installer is 2 years (two 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 7 weeks of technical training in the first year, and a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 7 weeks of technical training in the second year.

• An applicant who previously completed courses of study or work experience related to the Floorcovering Installer trade or holds a related journeyperson certificate and has the employer’s recommendation, may qualify for credit that could reduce the term of apprenticeship.
• A person who has previous training or work experience in the trade and wants to determine their level of skill and knowledge for entry or advanced standing in an apprenticeship program may complete the Prior Learning Assessment Online Application.
• A high school student can become an apprentice and gain credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time under the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).