Trammell Nelson Wood Flooring Company Profile

xpertise, in many cases, develops in ways we might not have expected. Jeff Nelson of Trammell Nelson Wood Flooring in San Rafael CA, married into the flooring craft; his father-in-law started the company in 1968, and welcomed Jeff into the family and the family business. Jeff brought computer skills with him, and as he worked alongside his father-in-law to learn the trade as an apprentice, he modernized and computerized the entire business. After twelve years of work in Trammell Wood Floors, Jeff took over the business from his father-in-law in 1991 and added his name to the company: Trammel Nelson Wood Floors. He also upgraded all of the tools and equipment, and prepared the company for the new century ahead.

Keeping the Tradition Alive
Jeff Nelson learned to design, install, and refinish custom wood floors as a craftsman; he worked directly with unstained, unfinished Brazilian and domestic Cherry woods, Walnut, Red and White Oak, Teak, and Bamboo, and learned customized color and design techniques that allow him to create any design and match any existing floor color. For instance, Jeff can hand-design and install parquet floors in a multitude of colors and create custom corner accents such as Roman, Regency, or Salladin corners. Jeff has also designed and installed customized wooden staircases. One of his favorite designs, a custom staircase for a house in Orinda, involved curving lines, rounded nosings, inlaid borders, and custom rounded edges. Though he continues to modernize the company and use his computer skills to streamline his business, Jeff also loves to work with his hands and build custom floors that add to the beauty and value of people's homes.

As a second-generation Marin native, Jeff's community spirit and expertise has been put to good use by the owners of the Marin Historical Society. The Society's turn-of-the-century building needed its original floors refinished, and Jeff did the project as a labor of love; he donated his labor in the name of charity, and got to work with some beautiful vintage floors in the bargain.

The Business of Customer Service
Jeff also manages a crew that has been with him for many years, and helps him serve clients in Marin and Sonoma Counties and San Francisco. As a hands-on owner, Jeff still takes a personal approach to each job, and maintains regular contact with his clients, but he also trusts his crew to maintain the reputation for excellence that Trammell Nelson has built over the decades. He knows that his crew shares his dedication to customer service and professionalism. As a part of that dedication, Trammell Nelson utilizes top-of-the-line water-based finishes, which provide superior colors and protection without subjecting owners to the smell, long drying times, or toxic fumes of oil-based finishes.

For Jeff Nelson, customer service and strong business skills are just as important as the quality of his craftsmanship. Since nearly all of Trammell Nelson's business comes from repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, he feels that he's met the standards of excellence that he's set for himself. Jeff also loves to be present at the end of each job, because he so enjoys the sense of completion—especially when the floors started out as a mess, or were badly stained or damaged, and now look perfect.

"I want to make sure that my customers can achieve exactly when they want," explains Jeff, "but for me, that also means providing the best product and workmanship, staying on schedule and on budget, keeping our promises, responding quickly to any issues, and standing behind our work. We don't leave a job until we know the customer is completely happy. And if anything happens after the job is complete, we'll get right on it and make sure everything is perfect. I always say that Trammell Nelson Wood Floors is straightforward about what we do: We offer great floors and great workmanship, and great customer service."


---Karla Rutherford
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report