June 20, 2011
As many of you realize my industry background includes years of service within the health club and fitness equipment sales industries. In the health club business we sell memberships by highlighting facility "features and benefits". In the commercial fitness equipment business we sell product by promoting the "features and benefits". Come to think of it in just about all sales- from cars to insurance to real estate- we sell and buy though "features and benefits". Oddly enough when it comes to floor covering products; no one ever wants to hear of "features and benefits". What's even stranger; proper flooring is more vital to most facilities than any other product. Consider this... when building a new facility you seek flooring that offers you a long life span, aesthetics, and is functional. Once you install your flooring the last thing you want to do is replace it in a few years. The costs in demolition, replacement, and facility down time significantly outweigh that of the purchase of treadmills, ellipticals, and strength equipment. In existing facilities to replace flooring is a major undertaking as it may require extensive equipment moving, extended facility downtime and a major inconvenience to your membership.
Whether you purchase your flooring from my company or a competitor. Remember, all product is not created equal! Before you buy you must analyze your exact need and match that need with a floor covering that offers you functionality, reliability, longevity, and affordability. Request the product "features and benefits". Once you decide on the product negotiate your best price and make sure that the product is being installed by a qualified company that guarantees its workmanship. By the way when it comes to price, appreciate that all sales people are not created equal. Some soft sell and start high hoping to consummate the deal somewhere in the middle. Some, like me give you their best price upfront.
Let's discuss analyzing your exact need. For example you want a floor covering that will be utilized only for dance and/or non-weight group exercise. Then I strongly suggest that you consider a wood product. Typically a floating floor with foam absorption built in. A product like this should cost in the $7.00-$10.00 per square foot price range. Installation is typically based upon volume of product and will range between a low of $1.50 per square foot to a high of $2.50 per square foot. Then you must factor freight. With the current high cost of fuel, freight is running anywhere between $.40 per square foot to $.70 per square foot dependent upon product volume, origination, and destination. Total average price point for this type of product would be $9.00 per square foot to $12.00 per square foot. If someone tells you that they can sell you a floating wood floor system with resiliency foam built in delivered and installed for $5.00- $7.00 per square foot I will tell you that the product is of very poor quality and will not last. Remember you "pay for what you get".
Let's consider a weight room floor. There are many types of weight room floors. First you must analyze if this is a free weight room floor or a selectorized weight room floor or a combination of both. If it is strictly a free weight room and you want the highest quality product that is functional and aesthetically pleasing then I suggest rubber tile that comes in either all black or percentages of color. This tile typically is 24" x 24" x 1" and offers extreme durability and sound proofing qualities. This type of product can be adhered to your sub floor by either utilizing adhesive or the floor can be more portable by utilizing dowels. Pricing of this product should cost out between $5.95- $7.95 per square foot depending upon percentage of color. Installation will be dependent upon product volume and cost out between $.75- $1.50 per square foot and freight again is dependent upon volume and will cost out between $.40-$.85 per square foot. Remember you will also require adhesive or dowels at a cost of approximately $.40 per square foot. Total average cost ranging from $7.55- $9.75 per square foot. If this type of product may not be within your budget there is either interlocking rubber or rolled rubber. However, even with rubber tiles or rolled rubber all product is not created equal. Since this type of rubber is recycled; it is imperative that you purchase a rubber that offers elastomer in their manufacturing process. The elastomer will offer the recycled product greater elasticity and resiliency and will not crack over time.
In closing remember price alone, while sacrificing quality will cost you more in the long run. Do your homework- analyze your exact needs, and then base your purchase on "features and benefits"; product references; fair and equitable price point; quality of installation company and their references. Remember if the price sounds too good to be true then it probably is!
Contact me (Gregg Maloley) by phone (781) 727-8250 or email at greggm@centaurfloors.com if I can be of any assistance. For sales representation outside of my territory please contact Centaur Floor Systems directly at (800) 536-9007.
