Creative Surfaces, Inc. Takes on the Tough Projects with Skills and Experience

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Contractor: Creative Surfaces Inc.
Client: Microsoft School of the Future
Project Type: Flooring Case Studies

Some projects require the fine detail of an artist to create precision designs. Other projects require the nitty-gritty containment of oil spills. To the professional crews of Creative Surfaces, Inc., (CSI) however, these scenarios are all in a typical day’s work.

This Conshohocken, Pennsylvania company specializes in tough flooring projects. The underlayment and concrete resurfacing jobs that CSI crews are called in to do typically have an element that requires outstanding skills and veteran leadership. CSI has both.

Leading CSI as its president and founder is Tom Compton. A veteran floor covering professional, Tom Compton saw the need for an elite underlayment shop in the Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland area, and established his company in 1993. A union carpenter for the past 20 years, Tom Compton is a renowned floor preparation expert. The CMs, GCs, and flooring contractors all refer to CSI when the most difficult problems arise.

A primary example of CSI’s expertise is seen every day at The Microsoft School of the Future in Philadelphia. The customer wanted acid-stained designer flooring, and further opted for a host of inconsistent patterns and multiple color schemes. It took extraordinary skills of his crews to complete the work, particularly because the project was accelerated to meet a school-opening deadline that included an appearance by Microsoft’s founder, Bill Gates.

"I believe we won that job because of our reputation for detail and input within schedule after delivered," said Tom Compton. "We worked closely with the construction manager and design team to ensure meticulous planning, and our crews answered the bell with focused work and excellent craftsmanship."

Microsoft School of the Future Project Executive, Tom Broadhurst, said: "The attention to detail and precision of the tedious layout was handled with a professional acumen and the final product was evidence of a job well done."

Compton took the extra step and, before dispatching his crews to the school’s job site to create the acrylic stain overlay of 30,000 square feet, he hosted specific training to make sure his employees were up to date on the product.A Foundation from INSTALL

That extra training dovetailed nicely with the multiple years of apprenticeship and continuing education training his crews received as part of the local INSTALL program. INSTALL, the International Standards and Training Alliance, is a career-long training and certification program offered to floor covering installers throughout the United States and Canada, which is based on the needs of today’s flooring products. Dozens of major manufacturers such as Milliken, Shaw, Pergo, Mohawk, Armstrong and Mannington regularly have their technical experts review and revise the INSTALL curriculum to reflect what is needed on jobsites. CSI’s crews are trained by the Delaware Valley’s affiliate of INSTALL.

Michael Morrow, the chief estimator for CSI, said he can see the difference between his INSTALL-trained crews and other companies that don’t have the INSTALL program as their base. "Our crews display professionalism, a greater knowledge of work, and a better understanding of how products work. They also understand how a job should run and how to do it safely," Morrow said. "I know I can count on that level of skill when I’m estimating projects."

"As CSI evolves, so does its line of services. In fact, the company also became proficient in a new technology that involves low prep self-leveling underlayments. This new technology enables CSI to install a precise, accurate and safe installation without delays, leaving specified flatness tolerances. The flooring industry requires eighth in ten flatness and it is paramount to meet this specification. We view ourselves as an extension of our client’s staff by helping to troubleshoot potential problems," Tom Compton said.

"I believe that when there is a need for professionals who have the skills and experience for tough projects, CSI is called in," Tom Compton said. "We are committed to keeping pace with this growing industry and will do what it takes to offer our customers the latest products that can best accomplish their individual project’s needs," Compton added.

That type of experience was needed on a complicated project at 23rd and Market Street in downtown Philadelphia. This was a renovation project that was transforming a former parking garage into condominiums. CSI was called in and immediately saw the challenge: years of automobile oil drippings had damaged the floor. The crews had to not only contain the oil, but eliminate its existence if the flooring was to be a successful installation.

"It wasn’t obvious to the average eye, but it was sure obvious to us that this was a problem that could derail the whole project is not corrected properly," Tom Compton said. "But we employed the right products and had the skills to complete the project according to the satisfaction of the client."

23rd Street Superintendent Tom Garlick said: The CSI staff was efficient and helpful with our schedule in turning over floors. This was a fast-paced project and their performance enabled us to complete our project on time."

CSI’s list of success stories is extensive, but just a sample of their clients include:

About CSI: CSI was established in 1993 and its leadership thrives on consistently providing customers with clean, efficient and quality workmanship. CSI provides clients with the latest technologies and problem-solving abilities to tackle any project. A niche company, CSI stands alone by being a specialist in providing the variety of applications in a skilled, experienced manner. Training is a constant at CSI, so that mechanics produce a quality, finished project every time. CSI is located at 5 Union Hill Road, Suite 100, Conshohocken, PA, 19428. For more information about CSI, visit the CSI web site at www.CSIcreativesurfaces.com or call 610-238-9970.

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