CFI History

The CFI Mission Statement…

To identify and certify according to skill and knowledge, Professional Flooring Installers who will provide Customers with an installation of which they can be proud for many years.

The International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association, Inc. (CFI), was founded in November of 1993 and continues to grow at an unbelievable pace nationwide and in several foreign countries with a total membership of more than 14,000.  Over 60 Certifications will be conducted during 2004. There are 41 Chapters and new ones forming that provide a source for continuing education, problem solving and the sharing of ideas between professional commercial and residential Installers.

The CFI offers to the commercial or residential Customer who is purchasing new flooring, an opportunity to engage the services of an individual who is an Installation Specialist, who guarantees the work and leaves the home, office or business with the assurance of a worthwhile and lasting purchase.  CFI Installers have signed an agreement that the installation will be performed in accordance with the CFI Standards and the Manufacturer’s Specifications.  If a problem should occur, the CFI Installer returns promptly to rectify the installation issue.  CFI Installers leave the home or business in a manner that showcases the beauty of the new flooring purchase.  Initially, the major focus was directed to the carpet Installer.  In 2002, Associates Armstrong, Pergo, Tarkett and the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation developed programs that engage the hard surface Installers as members of CFI.

Many in the architectural community have written CFI into specifications as their choice to provide quality installation.  Carpet manufacturers also recommend CFI Installers by using the annual CFI Directory as a resource guide.   Many are using the CFI Installers to inspect and to provide customer satisfaction when problems arise.  Major retailers, Carpet One, DuPont, Dow Chemical, Allied, Latter Day Saints Church, U. S. Government facilities, all Air Force contracts, numerous school districts, city, state and federal facilities and retailers nationwide recommend and use the services of CFI Certified Installers.

CFI Installers pass rigorous “hands-on” tests in five categories to demonstrate their skills, complete extensive written and oral tests and sign the CFI Agreement prior to receiving their Certification.  When searching for a CFI Installation Specialist, the Customer must be aware of the different requirements of Certification, both residential and commercial.  The two entry levels, Residential I and Commercial I test the skills and knowledge of Installers with a minimum of two-year’s experience.  Residential II and Commercial II are advanced Certifications for those with over four-year’s in the trade.  The Master and Master-II Installers have earned this designation by displaying the required skills in all areas, as well as the knowledge to work with and handsew if required, the woven and more delicate carpets. 

In the majority of installations today, patterns are not matched, carpet edges are not sealed and begin to fray, the area is not powerstretched, it is “kicked in” by the use of a kneekicker (a positioning tool ONLY) or with a tool known as a “spike,” the stairs and ledges are covered with the use of unsightly staples and bubbles appear in both stretch-in and adhesive installations, which attribute to the manner in which carpet performs.  When problems occur because of improper installation, generally the situation is never rectified and the Customer “lives” with a very disappointing installation. CFI Installers supply the answers to those problems by providing the Customer with a knowledgeable, well-mannered and enthusiastic installation specialist who has one goal in mind and that is the responsibility of providing Customer Satisfaction. 

CFI suggests that when the Customer is purchasing new flooring they request only CFI Certified Installers to perform the work to be assured of a quality installation of which they can be proud for years. The success of CFI is credited to the support of over 1,000 Associate Members who have donated time, materials and financial assistance.  CFI is looking forward to adding thousands of members during 2003 as the members continue to promote pride and professionalism in the flooring installation community through the IAP, Installation Assurance Program - Installer Friendly Seal.  A program designed to provide Customer Satisfaction every time by promoting professional installation combined with a quality product.