Performance Floor Covering Company Profile

here is an artisan aspect to construction. It's more than just hammering nails and putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Jim Mendelsohn, owner of Performance Floor Covering, approaches every job with an artist's eye.

"I wanted to be a musician when I was growing up," said Jim. "I'm a guitar player; I joined bands and was playing rock and roll. When I was 21 a friend got a job in a trade with a union and he would come over and say, ‘I'm making all this money!' Since I wasn't getting rich playing music, in 1977 I applied to several different trade unions and one of the first to respond was the floor covering trade."

Jim Mendelsohn joined that union shop and what was intended as a job became a career. "It turns out that in the trades there are lots of very creative people," said Jim. "There's an artisan aspect to all of this work."

In 1986 Jim earned his contractor's license and began working as a sub-contractor. "For many years it was just me and one helper," he said. "Back then we were called Mendelsohn Floor Company. Then, six or seven years ago I began having more work than I could do alone and hiring more help that was sticking around. I've been lucky to build a team of people that work with me, not for me. I couldn't do it without them. Five years ago I renamed the company Performance Floor Covering to reflect the fact that it wasn't just me."

A Company Culture of Customer Service and Family
Jim Mendelsohn's vision for his business included creating an atmosphere of family, both with his workers and his clients. "To have good customer service you have to create that culture in a company," he said. It was something I wanted to foster. If my workers didn't feel that, I didn't want to work with them. The team members here all feel that way. The guys working with me all have their own contractor's licenses but they choose to work here. It's like a family; everybody has their say. We've worked together for many years."

Experts in all Aspects of Flooring
Performance Floor Covering specializes in all things flooring. From custom hardwood floors to beautiful laminates, tile, carpet and vinyl, they do it all. One of the big problems facing the flooring industry today is a lack of qualified, talented installers. Many trade publications have documented this fact. But all flooring companies will claim that their installers are the best.

Ongoing In-House Training Program
Performance Floor Covering has an outstanding in-house training program that keeps everyone, old-timers and rookies alike, up to date on the latest techniques and full trained for every situation. According to Jim, the business is about developing relationships with customers and creating a high level of trust and comfort with them. "As part of our job, we're dealing with real people," said Jim. "We want to find common ground and give them what's best for them. Our work is by nature disruptive; we appreciate that and make it as pleasant and fun as possible."

Jim Mendelsohn and the team even posted a Customer Service Pledge on their Web site that reads: You, the customer, provide for my livelihood. By paying for my services, you enable me to live in and share the blessings of my community. With appreciation for your payment and trust, I pledge to serve you with integrity, honesty and diligence. I will treat you with respect and endeavor to fully answer your questions, and address your concerns. I will install your flooring with the same care and diligence as if it were a major purchase I made for my own home. My goal is to leave you with no doubt that you would call me again for your next project, and refer me without hesitation to your friends, family and associates.

"I love doing the demolition," said Jim. "I love to go in and clear out all the old stuff and then see when we're done that we took something and completely changed it and made it better, and made our customer's life better too. That's the best part of this."

Appointment-Only Warehouse for One-On-One Service
Performance Floor Covering has a warehouse showroom for customers to be peruse the different floor coverings they offer. The warehouse is open by appointment only, but when you show up for your appointment you will be given their full attention to help you understand the options. Jim Mendelsohn still plays the guitar, but today his number one love is taking good care of his customers and giving them something that changes their environment and their lives.


                                                          ---Jim Brumm
                                                              Staff Writer
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