SFA: What's the Answer?
How Many Installers Does it Take ....
mattj34
I'm looking to see if any shop owners or managers can give me some insight into how many installers they send on a job at one time. Currently we have two different 3-man crews that we send out daily to install all of our countertop jobs. We try to put as few seams as possible so we can have a better overall finished product. What is everyone else doing as far as number of installers? Thanks in advance for any and all answers.
mikedean Administrator
Two people, unless larger pieces, then we send a second crew to help get it in and then move on.
tallzeng Board of Directors
Two-man crew with a 3rd floater possible if needed. I can do as Mike does and send two 2-man crews and pull one or two guys off once the heavy pieces are in. My fourth guy I would have to pull from the shop. Using the No Lift cart has paid for itself in these situations. We love it!! Tim Zeng Zeng Granite
justzack Administrator
Two guys with a No Lift, unless it has a large tear out. Then I send a third that leaves once all pieces are in. Justin Zacherl Creekside Granite and More 814-657-3294 Justin.zacherl@stonefabricatorsalliance.com
mattj34
How are you transporting your No Lift?
justzack Administrator
We don’t. We transport on orange a-racks. One lift to the at cart or pro dollies, roll out of box truck, and into the house. One lift onto the No Lift.
JesseRaya
Same as everyone else. I have five crews of 2 installers. If I know they will need help for bigger pieces, I pre-schedule help for them.
Andy Ross Premium Member
Well it's just me and my one employee so that makes a two man install. Honestly, there are a lot of times one of us is hanging out because there's only so much to do at once. I can't imagine the waste of manpower with a third guy. We have installed some very large and awkward pieces with just the two of us. We use every install tool available when needed. I think two guys is adequate for nearly every situation as long as they can make a good plan before they start, the job gets loaded correctly, and they have an array of carts, dollies, straps, etc. available. We spent 10 minutes today talking about how to load a weirdo piece in the van tomorrow. Haven't even made it to the job site so that'll be another 10-15 minutes. But we will both know what's going on and in what order. I also think it helps that I template with the install in mind. Checking a lot of stuff to make sure things will work. If your templater has never installed ... it could create some interesting situations. Andy Ross Rock Solid Surfaces Kalamazoo, MI 269-372-1777
Rock Solid Premium Member
We have our main crew and this is a 3-man crew, and I schedule accordingly. They get my larger and harder jobs. Then I have a 2-man crew that usually will have a two-slab-or-less install and maybe vanity. I have a floater in the shop I can send with either to make a 3- or 4-man crew. I’ll put them all together when we have jobs that are 5-10 slabs so we can install same day. Chris Evans Rock Solid Granite and Tile Inc.
DannyT
We normally send one crew (2 men) for most installs. Depending on the install and size of the pieces. We can send up to two crews (4 guys). Once the pieces are in place, and they don’t need help, the second crew continues with their day.