Dealing with customers can be the most enjoyable part of this job and the most aggravating. I am always amazed at how vastly different all of my customers' expectations are. Some customers know exactly what they want before I get to the job, while others are content to let me install their floor however I think is best.

As installers, one thing we have to be careful of (and I am still working on this myself) is giving in to our customers to the point that we can't effectively do our job. It's okay to tell your customers "no" when necessary. This doesn't mean we should tell them to go !@#$ up a rope, but it is acceptable to give them boundaries. Not all customers respond well to this, and I've had to give a few ultimatums over the years. But I have yet to be asked to leave because of it.

Even with the pickiest and most aggravating customers, a sincere, "Well Joe, I'm doing the best job I can do. I'd be happy to leave and let you get someone else to finish if you'd like," will usually change their tone. The funny thing is, I have had excellent referrals from customers I thought would never let me back in their house for telling them to "Go have a nice dinner out and let me finish." If you are truly doing your best, that's all anyone can ask. Don't be afraid to politely assure your customers that you have indeed done this before. Sometimes you just have to practice the art of saying "No."