Overview
Floor covering installers install carpet, wood, linoleum, vinyl and other resilient floor coverings in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. They are employed by construction companies, floor-covering contractors and carpet outlets, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Inspect, measure and mark surfaces to be covered
Measure, cut and fasten underlay and underpadding
Measure, cut and install carpeting using hand or machine stitcher, seaming iron, bonding tape or other bonding materials
Stretch carpeting using knee-kicker or power stretcher and secure carpeting to floor or other surfaces using staple gun or other devices
Measure, cut and install resilient floor covering using adhesive, rollers and other hand tools
Install hardwood floors, such as strip floors, block floors or plank floors, using glue, staples, nails or other means
Inspect and repair damaged floor coverings
May estimate material and labour costs.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$41,712
$58,918
$78,314
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
359expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program or over four years of work experience in the trade and some courses in floor covering installation are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
Trade certification for floor covering installers is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Additional information
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Floor covering installers in B.C.
- Floor Covering Installer Red Seal Certification
- Skilled Trades Certification - Floor Covering Installers
Floor Covering Installer Red Seal Certification
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
This career is eligible for Red Seal endorsement. When all levels of your trades training are complete, you can write an Interprovincial Red Seal exam. A successful result demonstrates you have met the national standard for your trade in Canada will allow you to practice your trade outside of B.C. in provinces and territories covered by the Red Seal certification.
Skilled Trades Certification - Floor Covering Installers
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a floor covering installer in B.C., you may need a SkilledTradesBC certification demonstrating that you have completed the necessary technical training and work experience part of your apprenticeship program.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No programs available in B.C.
There are currently no programs offered at public post-secondary institutions in B.C. that will qualify you for these careers. Please see the SkilledTradesBC website for other options.