BY GINNY RAUE
WEST MILFORD — When Thomas Alva Edison wanted his Menlo Park laboratory floors finished, he called in Bill Powell’s paternal grandfather. In modern times, Whitney Houston and Derek Jeter have called for his grandson. And so have many West Milford homeowners.
Powell Flooring has been doing business in West Milford for the past six years but the business originated in Springfield in 1920. It remains a family owned and operated business, specializing in custom installations, borders, medallions, refinishing and selling pre-finished and unfinished hardwood flooring.
Still keeping it in the family
Bill Powell, 52, and his wife Kim, are 26-year residents of West Milford, choosing the town, he said, for its easy access to hunting and fishing. They have three adult children, all involved the business.
Powell began his life’s work in the family business when he was 16 years old. He never flipped a burger or pumped gas as a kid, he just got in on the ground floor of, pardon the pun, flooring.
“I could do this in my sleep,” he said.
But he’s wide awake on the job and oversees each one. Along with Gary Martin, who has been employed by Powell for the last 15 years, he relies on the next generation of Powells, his sons Ryan, 26 and Daniel, 23, to keep the family’s reputation for fine work intact. His daughter, Shannon, 22, helps out at the office and his wife fills in and does whatever needs doing.
The right wood
Powell Flooring deals in hard surface floors; laminates and vinyl, but mostly hardwood.
“Hardwood is best. You just can’t beat the beauty of real wood and it lasts forever, with a refinishing every 15 to 20 years,” he said. Wood floors are cleaner and far surpass carpet when it comes to indoor allergens, he added.
Oak is most popular but he also carries maple, hickory and exotic woods.
“Many different kinds of woods,” he said. He uses a high grade Swedish finish that dries in a few hours and most home flooring jobs can be completed in just three days.
Hardwood flooring can take a lot but it’s not totally indestructible. Just ask any pet owner what happens when Fluffy decides to use the living room carpet instead of his litter box. The stain that occurs to the wood flooring underneath usually can’t be sanded out. The good news is that it can be patched and matched.
“Wood floors are very forgiving. They can be 100 years old but with a refinish they come out like new,” he said. He suggested Bona cleaning products for wood floors and a buff and re-coat about every 3 to 4 years, with hardwood kitchen floors sometimes requiring more frequent attention to maintain their beauty.
Powell Flooring is fully covered by liability insurance and workman’s comp and they have attained a high rating on Angie’s List. They are currently venturing into the commercial field and an estimator, Joe Elcavage, is available at the shop for consultation. Powell is also willing to assist a do-it-yourself customer if they purchase the wood from him.
“I like to help people who help themselves.”
Designing woman
If you’ve decided you’d like to enhance your home with new flooring but you’re not sure what to choose, consider yourself lucky. Meet Barbara Heilmann, Powell’s office manager.
Heilmann carries a post-graduate degree from the New York School of Interior Design. She is a state certified interior designer and she’s available to help the customer choose the right product for their space.
“Because of my years as an interior designer, I can very quickly determine what it is that a customer is looking for," said Heilmann. "By asking some pertinent questions to determine their style and on-site conditions, I can show a customer products that work to coordinate and enhance their look and the architecture of their home. We carry a great selection of beautiful wide plank, hand scraped flooring, environmentally friendly bamboo and cork, laminates and the new luxury vinyls – something for everybody.”
Color is one area of concern and at Powell’s the consumer can select from larger professional cutting sheets that allows them to better envision the choices.
“Color makes a huge impact on a space – it’s what people remember – it’s the take away experience. So between great floors and a coordinated color scheme, you’re well on your way to a beautiful home,” Heilmann said.
A hard day’s work
Powell acknowledges that flooring work is hard work and it’s rough on the knees and back. But he has plenty of good years in him yet and that retirement acreage in upstate New York will wait for him. Then he can rest on his laurels – when he’s not hunting and fishing.