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Floor Finisher and Coverer

Also known as Floor Sander, Vinyl Layer and Flooring Technician.

Floor finishers and coverers install and repair floor coverings such as carpet, vinyl, rubber, cork, parquetry and timber flooring.

They may specialise as hard floor finishers, textile layers or resilient layers.

Floor finishers and coverers work in small teams.

Conditions can be dusty, and the work involves a lot of bending, stretching, kneeling and carrying.

Floor finishers and coverers have a high level of contact with the public, retailers, builders and other tradespeople.

TASKS

Floor finishers and coverers may perform the following tasks:

ensure floors are firm, dry and clean, and repair minor defects before laying coverings
measure areas to be covered, and estimate and order quantities of floor coverings
fix underlays of hardboard sheets, rubber or felt
lay covering materials over the floor, match patterns, cut shapes around fixtures and trim edges
fix floor coverings and fit edge trims in doorways
sand, stain and finish a variety of timber floors

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

able to cope with the physical demands of the job
enjoy practical work
good hand-eye coordination
normal colour vision

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Carpet Layer - fastens the edges and seams of the carpet, then stretches and fixes it along walls and borders, using gripper strips.

Hard Floor Finisher - lays and finishes timber, cork and parquetry floors in mosaic and block patterns. They also sand, stain and apply finished coatings to timber floors.

Resilient Layer - specialises in laying and finishing vinyl, linoleum and rubber in sheet or tile form. They may lay these materials on bench tops and walls as well as floors.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a floor finisher and coverer you usually have to complete an apprenticeship in Flooring Technology.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Furnishing Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

In NSW, floor finishers and coverers carrying out work valued at more than $1000 must either hold, or work under someone who holds, a valid building contractor's licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. See www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au for more information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Many floor finishers and coverers set up their own businesses and work as subcontractors to retailers or floor covering firms. Some work for retail organisations and may combine the duties of retail sales and floor covering.

Trade qualifications are often desired, but not essential. Opportunities are dependent on building industry demand, but this is less likely to affect qualified tradespeople.