From 1977 through 1991, I managed several lumber yards for lumber chains in central and eastern North Dakota. In the fall of 1991, I made the career switch to managing a flooring department of a mid-size retail store in eastern North Dakota. Between 1991 and 2017, the department grew to a multi-million dollar department.
During the mid-1990's an industry decision was made to switch from the manufacturer’s or distributor’s sales representatives doing an onsite inspection to independent floor inspectors. Living in a rural state that did not have any inspectors became a real challenge. At that time, the closest one was 300 miles away and the time line was ridiculous. The independent flooring inspectors out there had enough business already, so they didn’t want to drive that far.
In 1997, I saw the need for flooring inspectors in North Dakota as there were none. That year I obtained my first flooring inspection certification. I’ve always been the curious type that would take something apart to see what made it run, so taking the training to become a flooring inspector seemed like a natural extension. Also, the possibility of doing inspections well into retirement to occupy my mind and time seemed looked a good fit. In the spring of 2017, I made the decision to leave the retail environment to focus on the inspection business.
Keeping my certifications takes many hours of classroom training and online courses over a period of one to two years, depending on the certification. It is not something you do once and you are done. You need to keep up with new products and changes to the existing ones to keep your certifications. To date, I am still the only person in North Dakota with the certifications, training, and background I hold.
All of the findings in my inspections are based on fact not speculation. Once the inspection is performed, I research my vast library and contacts, as well as interviews with involved parties, to come to conclusions based on gathered facts and third-party documentation to back up my findings.
This ensures that the true cause of the concern can be corrected so it does not come back again if the floor is repaired or replaced. Many times, the true cause is not obvious at the site without a detailed trained professional's expertise. Floor covering is the third largest purchase a homeowner will ever make. When problems occur, they are expensive and you need someone who will tell you what you need to hear -- not what you want to here -- to keep the concern from repeating.
Books by Barry
Basic Subfloors and Moisture Testing
Most Common Carpet Concerns
Most Common Ceramic Concerns
Most Common Hardwood Concerns
Most Common Laminate Concerns
Most Common Vinyl Concerns
Articles By Barry
"The Effects of Improper Maintenance on Hardwood Flooring," June/July 2021, Hardwood Floors magazine
Speaking Engagements
2016 National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Update Training (NICFI)
2015 Minnesota Floorcovering Association
2015 Sterling Carpet One Co-presenter Floor Care and Maintenance
2015 Education day at Carpet One Semi-Annual Convention, Assisted NWFA Moisture and Wood Presentation
2007 Education day at Carpet One Semi-Annual Conventions Products Panel
2006 Forx Builders Home Show Project house history
2003 Education day at Carpet One Semi-Annual Conventions Ceramic Tile Panel
1994 Forx Builders Home Show, Pergo Laminate Flooring
Certifications
National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Badges and Achievements:
Sika Corp: Elastic Bonding for Wood Flooring
Search Engine Optimization
Moisture and wood
The Building Science of Floor Systems
In-Floor Heating Under Wood
The Brawn Beneath the Beauty (Underlayments)
Manufacturing Unfinished Solid Hardwood Flooring
Thermosoft Electric in floor heat
SMS Marketing
PoloPlaz Canlak Company
The Why, What, and How of Wood Moisture Testing
Appointed to the National Wood Flooring Associations (NWFA) Hearing Committee:
If a complaint is filed against a member of the NWFA, the hearing committee reviews the claim and suggests action (if any is required) or no action (if not). The results of the hearing are then forwarded to the member and the party filing the complaint.
Using and Understanding Installation Guidelines to Support Field Work
(Expo) Pallman Spider
(Expo) New Solutions for Wood Flooring Installation
(Expo) Inlaying
(Expo) Bending
(Expo) Color, Style & Trends
(Expo) COVID-19 Economic Impact Panel
(Expo) American Sanders Virtual Product Demonstration
(Expo) Wood Flooring Installation Guidelines Revisions
(Expo) Designing & Installing Custom Borders
(Expo) Problems, Causes & Cures-Manufacturing vs Site Related
(Expo) Adapting to Changing Market Demands
(Expo) Insights in HARO Quality Flooring Product Range & Install
(Expo) Moisture Mitigation Demonstration
(Expo) Colors and Finishes
(Expo) Historic Parquet Recreation
(Expo) Tools available to Small Business in Times of Crisis
Tech Zone Demo with Regional Instructors
Water & Wood
Data Loggers in the Wood Flooring Industry
(Expo) Dustless Refinishing of an Oiled Floor & Cleaning
Pallman
Wood Subfloors The silent Partner in Your Success
Composite Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Thermosoft Electric in floor heat Nail down and Glue Down
Shaw Floors & Anderson Tuftex
Underlayment Showdown: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Back
From the Forest to the Floor (Install)
Installation Safety (Install)
Installation Layout
Renewability & Sustainability
USDA Forest Service
The Lacey Act
Floating Floor Installation Methods
Basic Tree Anatomy
From the Forest to the Floor
Engineered Wood Flooring
Solid Wood Flooring
Wood Moisture Testing
Fire Extinguisher Safety
Safety Gear
Circular Saw Safety
Miter Saw Safety
Table Saw Safety
Layout Working Lines
Nail-Down Installation
Installation Methods and Considerations (Sales)
Volatile Organic Compounds
Abrasives
Sanding Equipment Maintenance
Sanding Job-site Evaluation and Preparation
Abrasives (Sand and Finish)
Sanding Equipment Maintenance (Sand and Finish)
Sanding Bamboo Floors
Sanding Considerations for Stone and Metal Inlays
Sanding Cork Floors
Sanding Distressed, Textured and Sculpted Wood Floors
Wood as a Flooring (Sales)
National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
Wood Flooring Types (Sales)
Sales Advisor
Sanding End Grain Wood Floors
Sanding Parquet Wood Floors
Sanding Previously Finished Floors
Sanding Strip and Plank Wood Floors
The Filling Process
Chemical Properties of Wood Floor Finishes
Drying and Curing
Renewability and Sustainability (Sales)
Regulations Impacting the Wood Flooring Industry
Herringbone Layout
Parquet Layout and Installation
Responsible Wood Sourcing
Solids and Engineered Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis
Wood Floor Basics
Wood Flooring History and Trends
Domestic Wood Species
Imported Wood Species
Manufacturing Characteristics
Natural Growth Characteristics
Bamboo as a Flooring Option
Cork as a Flooring Option
Electrical Safety
Sanding Equipment Operation
Equipment Operations (Sand and Finish
Safety (Sand and Finish)
Job Estimating (Sales)
Sales Fundamentals (Sales)
Sales Fundamentals Part #1: Preparing the Sale
Sales Fundamentals Part #2: Handling Objections
Sales Fundamentals Part #3: Closing the Sale
Sales Fundamentals Part #4: Follow Up
Sales Fundamentals Part #5: Managing Data
NWFA CEU Presenter
Sealer Types
Coating Types
Aniline Dyes
Reactive Conditioners
Stains
Water Popping
Wood Bleach
Evaluating Wood Floor Damage
Hand Scraping, Wire Brushing and Distressed Wood Floors
Repair and Replacement (Sand and finish)
Textured Floors (Sand and Finish)
Finishes (Sand and Finish)
Finish Application Procedures
Finish Applicators
Finish Preparation
General Maintenance for all Wood Floors
Maintenance Products
Re-coating a Previously Finished Wood Floor
Sanding, Filler and Finish Irregularities
The Importance of Maintenance and Educating the Customer
Care and Maintenance (Sand and Finish)
Irregularities (Sand and Finish)
Health and Safety (Sales)
Allergies
Job Costing Part #1: Factors to Consider in the Bid
Job Costing Part #2: Calculating Room Measurements
Job Costing Part #3: Estimating the Whole Job
Phone Etiquette
Reclaimed Wood
How Cuts Affect Wood Flooring
Installation Methods
Controlling Moisture (Sales)
Wood Moisture Testing (Install)
Concrete Moisture Testing (Install)
Evaluating the Jobsite (Install)
Evaluating the Jobsite (Sales)
Subfloors (Install)
Maintenance of Wood Floors
Board Replacement
Radiant Heat
Concrete Basics
Acclimation & Conditioning
Wood Moisture Control
Concrete Moisture Control
Moisture Related Wood Floor Issues
Concrete Moisture Testing
Moisture & Concrete
Moisture Content of Wood
Wood Moisture Testing
Evaluating the Interior Conditions of the Building
Evaluating the Exterior Conditions of the Building
Evaluating the Structure of the Home
Evaluating the Environmental Conditions of the Home
Evaluating Substrates: Wood Subfloors
Evaluating Substrates: Concrete Subfloors
Wood Subfloors Over Concrete
Sound Control
National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Courses:
206 Install: Moisture Testing Learning Path
Acclimation & Conditioning
Moisture Content and Wood
Wood Moisture Testing
Concrete Moisture Testing
Moisture & Concrete
405 Manufacturing: Manufacturing Process Learning Path
Milling Solid Wood Flooring
Milling Engineered Wood Flooring
Milling Cork Flooring
Milling Bamboo Flooring
Manufacturing Factory Finished Wood Flooring
406 Manufacturing: Grade Learning Path
Lumber Grades
General Wood Flooring Grades
NWFA/NOFMA Manufacturing Standards
NWFA/NOFMA Unfinished Solid Wood Flooring General Grades
NWFA/NOFMA Factory Finished Solid Wood Flooring Standards
101 Sales: Wood as Flooring Learning Path
Wood Flooring History and Trends
Basic Tree Anatomy
From the Forest to the Floor
How Cut Affects Wood Flooring
102 Sales: Wood Flooring Types Learning Path
Wood Flooring Products
Solid Wood Flooring
Engineered Wood Flooring
Bamboo as a Flooring Option
Cork as a Flooring Option
Reclaimed Wood
Trim and Molding
104 Sales: Controlling Moisture Learning Path
Acclimation & Conditioning
Moisture Content and Wood
Underlayment's Moisture Control
105 Sales: Installation Methods and Considerations Learning Path
Nail-Down Installation Method
Glue-Down Installation Process
Floating Floor Installation Methods
Sound Control
Radiant Heat
106 Sales: Job Estimates Learning Path
Job Costing, Part #1: Factors to Considering the Bid
Job Costing, Part #2: Calculating Room Measurements
Job Costing, Part #3: Estimating the Whole Job
107 Sales: Health and Safety Learning Path
Regulations Impacting the Wood Flooring Industry
Volatile Organic Compound
Allergens
Maintenance of Wood Floors
108 Sales: Sales Fundamentals Learning Path
Sales Fundamentals, Part #1: Preparing for Sales
Sales Fundamentals, Part #2: Handling Objections
Sales Fundamentals, Part #3: Closing the Sale
Sales Fundamentals, Part #4: Following Up
Sales Fundamentals, Part #5: Managing Data
Phone Etiquette
109 Sales: Renewable & Sustainability Learning Path
Renewability/Sustainability
USDA Forest Service
Solid and Engineered Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis
201 Install: Installation Safety Learning Path
Fire Extinguisher Safety
Safety Gear
Installation Electrical Safety
Circular Saw Safety
Miter Saw Safety
Table Saw Safety
204 Install: From the Forest to the Floor
Basic Tree Anatomy
From the Forest to the Floor
Wood Flooring Products
Solid Wood Flooring
Engineered Wood Flooring
Cork as a Flooring Option
Bamboo as a Flooring Option
Reclaimed Wood
Trim & Molding
207 Install: Layout Learning Path
Layout Working Lines
208 Install: Nail-Down Installation Process Learning Path
Nail-Down Installation
209 Install: Glue-Down Installation Process Learning Path
Glue-Down Installation Process
210 Install: Floating Installation Process Learning Path
Floating Floor Installation Methods
212 Install: Patterned Floor Layout Learning Path
Herringbone Layout
Parquet Layout and Installation
301 Sand and Finish: Sand and Finish Safety Learning Path
Safety Gear
Fire Extinguisher Safety
Sand and Finish Electrical Safety
Regulations Impacting the Wood Flooring Industry
Volatile Organic Compounds
302 Sand and Finish: Sanding Equipment Operation Learning Path
Sanding Jobsite Preparation
The Filling Process
Sanding Previously Finished Floors
Sanding Stop and Plank Wood Floors
Sanding Parquet Wood Floors
Sanding End-Grain Wood Floors
Sanding Cork Floors
Sanding Bamboo Floors
Sanding Consideration for Metal and Stone Inlay Floors
Sanding Distressed, Textured, and Sculpted Wood Floors
303 Sand and Finish: Sanding Equipment Maintenance Learning Path
Sanding Equipment Maintenance
304 Sand and Finish: Abrasives Learning Path
Sanding Equipment Operation
306 Sand and and Finish: Finish Learning Path
Chemical Properties of Wood Floor Finishes
Drying and Curing
Sealer Types
Coating Types
307 Sand and Finish: Colorants Learning Path
Stains
Water Popping
Aniline Dyes
Wood Bleach
Reactive Conditioners
308 Sand and Finish: Textured Floors Learning Path
Hand Scraping, Wire Brushing, and Distressed Floors
309 Sand and Finish: Repair and Replacement Learning Path
Evaluating Wood Floor Damage
Board Replacement: Nail and Glue Down
310 Sand and Finish: Finishing Process
Finish Applicators
Finish Preparation
Finish Application Procedures
311 Sand and Finish: Recoating a Previously Finished Wood Floor
Recoating a Previously Finished Wood Floor
312 Sand and Finish: Care and Maintenance
The Importance of Maintenance and Educating the Customer
General Maintenance for All Wood Floors
Maintenance Products
313 Sand and Finish: Irregularities
Sanding, Filler, and Finish Irregularities
401 manufacturing: Forestry and Sustainability Learning Path
Renewability/Sustainability
Responsible Wood Sourcing
USDA Forest Service
Solid Engineered Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis
402 Manufacturing: Forest to the Floor Learning Path
Basic Tree Anatomy
From the Forest to the Floor
Wood Flooring History and Trends
Wood Flooring Basics
403 Manufacturing: Wood Characteristics Learning Path
Domestic Wood Species
Imported Wood Species
Natural Growth Characteristics
Manufacturing Characteristics
How Cut Affects Wood Flooring
Reclaimed Wood
404 Manufacturing: Wood Flooring Types Learning Path
Solid Wood Flooring
Engineered Wood Flooring
Bamboo as a Flooring Option
Cork as a Flooring Option
103 Sales: Evaluating the Jobsite Learning Path
Evaluating the Interior Conditions of the Building
Evaluating the Exterior Conditions of the Building
Evaluating Substrates: Wood Subfloors
Evaluating Substrates: Concrete Subfloors
Other Organization's Certificates:
2022
Certified Ceramic Tile and Stone Flooring Inspector
Substrate & Subfloor Prep Certification
Wood Subfloor and Underlayment Materials
Wood Subfloor Construction
Components of Concrete
Concrete Subfloor Construction and Placement
Concrete Problems and Causes
Thick Pour Gypsum Underlayment
Humidity Vapor and Sources of Moisture
Respirable Silica
NALFMA
Expert Witness
2021
Engineered Wood Seminar
Updates in Moisture Vapor Mitigation
Concrete Components, Placement and Finishing
Wood Floor Maintenance
Heat Welding and Flash Cove Installation
Closing the Gap between Division 3 and Division 9
Concrete Porosity
Rigid Core Installation Recommendation and Pro Tips
Wood Science Symposium
Luxury Vinyl Course 2021
2020
Summer Webinar
2019
Certified Advanced Resilient Flooring Inspector
Certified Advanced Hardwood and Laminate Flooring Inspector
2018
Master Inspector Certification from the Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Services (FCITS)
NWFA CEU Presenter: Architect & Design Presenter
NWFA Certified Professional Sales Advisor (CSA)
2017
2017 NICFI Inspectors Conference & Update Training from the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)
2016
Floor Inspectors Educational Builds Carpet Seminar from the Floor Inspectors Education Guild
2016 NICFI Inspectors Conference & Update Training from the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI
2015
2015 NICFI Inspectors Conference & Update Training from the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)
2014
Edge Flooring Inspector Technical Training from Edge Floor
Envelope Science Classes (US Forest Products Lab) from the Floor Inspectors Education Guild
2013
The Science Behind Solid Wood Flooring Inspections from the Floor Inspectors Education Guild
The Science of Inspecting Engineered Wood Flooring from the Floor Inspectors Education Guild
2012
Wood Flooring Basic Installation from the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
Wood Flooring Inspection Certification from the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
Commercial Carpet Inspector Certification from the Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Services (FCITS)
2011
2011 NICFI Inspectors Conference & Update Training from the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)
Certified Laminate Flooring Inspector from the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA)
2010
Bamboo and Cork Inspector Certification from the Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Services (FCITS)
2008
NICFI Inspectors Conference & Update Training from the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)
Inspection Certification (Continuing Education) from Flooring Inspector Training Services (FITS)
2007
2007 NICFI Inspectors Conference & Update Training from the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)
Inspection Certification (Continuing Education) from Flooring Inspector Training Services (FITS)
2005
Moisture Testing Certification from Flooring Inspector Training Services (FITS)
2004
Flooring Inspection Certification from Flooring Inspector Training Services (FITS)
2003
Woven Carpet Inspector from Flooring Inspector Training Services (FITS)
Commercial Carpet Inspector Certification from Flooring Inspector Training Services (FITS)
1997
Carpet Inspector Certification from the Floor Covering Institute of Technical Services (FCITS)
Hard Surface Flooring Inspector Certification from the Floor Covering Institute of Technical Services (FCITS)