Bad experience with First Floors and their Vice President, who may also be the owner's son, Damon…read moreDobson. We were looking to have over 1,000sf of hardwood installed in 3 rooms and a hallway, finished and hand scraped to match existing flooring.
The company came to our house, measured, and Damon sent us a quote. I responded to Damon, asking when the company could get started. Additionally, because I view this as a fairly sizable investment in our home, I had questions about the installer who would be doing the work. Specifically, I wanted to know whether the installer had experience hand scraping, as I know that process can be difficult and time consuming. I also asked if Damon had any references for the installer, or even any pictures of recent work--perhaps a bit high maintenance, but I though it was a reasonable request.
Damon simply responded that they could start in 3-4 days. He did not address the questions I had re his installer. I knew that 3-4 days wasn't possible, because wood has to acclimate in the house for longer than that, so I asked him about this, and also repeated the questions re his installer. He condescendingly replied, "but you only asked when we can start the job, and we can start in 3-4 days." Once again, no response re his installer.
So I asked about the installer and his experience again. Damon's response was "We do 1,000 hand scraped floors a year, sir." I explained that I was less concerned with the number of floors the company installed, and more concerned with the specific installer First Floors would hire to do the work. So I asked him again. His response was that the company had done a "banker's house" and also a former president's house.
At this point, I told him I'd love to use his company, but that I needed more details on who the installer would be, specifically his experience hand scraping. I again asked for recent references. Damon responded "I have come to the realization we are not the company for you."
I found the contact info for the owner, Richard, and emailed him, explaining that I thought the resistance to my questions was bizarre, especially considering the fact that we're in uncertain financial times. No response.
I've owned a few houses, done lots of work on all of them, and have never been in a situation where a company is not willing to provide info on the people who will actually be doing the work in our home. I think that's highly suspicious.
Also, the fact that he was ready to install in 3-4 days, in a humid climate like the Dallas area, is problematic in my experience.
I can't speak to the quality of their work, but their customer service is garbage.