DAVE S. GARDEN
CFI Master II #6269
Owner of Installation Services of Michigan
in Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dave began his career in the flooring business in the late 1980’s.  In 1999, he became a member of CFI and in 2008, achieved his goal of obtaining the CFI Master-II designation.  He is a very competitive person who takes tremendous pride in presenting his labor.  He strongly believes that the difference between Installation Services of Michigan and his competition is his inability to compromise quality on a jobsite.  “I believe that if you truly service your customer, you will gain a life-long friend.”

Dave and his wife, Kathleen, own Installation Services of Michigan and he serves as the installation manager.  They spend most of their free time with two sons, Chucky (18) and Ian (3).  They are active in the community and in their church.   Dave also stays active playing competitive Class C Softball, was a Scout Master for his son’s troop, former baseball coach and serves through the Men’s Ministry at his church  in various ways, including feeding the homeless at a shelter in Detroit.  Standing at 6-feet 7-inches tall with a shoe size of 22, you really don’t want to meet Dave on the athletic field and he is quite an impressive figure in the installation trade.

Dave serves as a member of the CFI Board of Directors, the CFI Regional Certification Team and has addressed the business conference at the CFI Convention. He has also presented flooring courses for the ASID Community at Eastern Michigan State University, was an Orcon installation trainer and is a moderator on the CFI interactive website.   He recently became an inspector through FCITS in order to gain more knowledge concerning the basics of inspecting flooring.  Dave has hosted numerous CFI events, believing in the power of knowledge for those who represent Installation Services, a company well-known for exceeding customer expectations.  He is a member of the Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce and of the World Floor Covering Association.

He credits both his wife and his father for his success.  His father said at an early age, “Take pride in whatever type of work you are doing and you will be good at it.”  He follows this example today.  He credits CFI and the many friends in the organization with giving him the confidence to take his business to the level it has achieved today.  When applying for CFI Master-II, Dave wrote, “Flooring is the only job I ever had and I enjoy it very much.  In the early years when other installers were worried about getting paid, my goal was always to be the best.  Today, I have the opportunity to be a trainer and help other installers achieve these same goals.  The logo of his firm is, “Installation Services, where you walk on our resume.”

Dick Scmidt wrote at the C-II Certification, “Dave has a great personality and attitude and very good hand skills.” Jon Namba and Ed Braile wrote following the Master II Certification, “Great attitude!”

And others wrote…
As a former retailer, I found it very difficult at that time to find professional flooring installers.  Dave Garden (and Installation Services, LLC) came to my rescue and for many years provided my customers with exceptional installations and also reduced my stress level.  Dave always has had the ability to personalize our relationship.  The fact that I now work for Installation Services, LLC as the Director of Marketing is a testimonial in itself.  Dave is continually seeking educational training and dialog to increase his specific knowledge of all types of flooring installation.  He also provides an educational opportunity to local contractors who wish to improve their level of expertise and professionalism.  Dave will offer skills’ training to installers whether they provide service to his company or not in an effort to improve the local flooring installation industry.  I have not come across a difficult or unique installation that Dave did not approach with zeal.  During the past three years being employed by this firm, I have witnessed why their company has continued to grow and I am proud to be here. - Ted Buffington

I’ve had the pleasure of working along side of Dave on more than one occasion. It was clear after the first time I worked with him that he was different. The pride and commitment he demonstrates on the jobsite is unmatched. I’ve never seen an installer go so far to achieve perfection with an installation. Dave is truly an example of what it means to not only be a great installer, but an outstanding person as well. When Dave told me he was a CFI installer, I was excited to find out about this organization. If they had anything to do with how this man became the installer he is today, I asked, “where do I sign up?”
- Joe Kelpin, Homestretch Floor Covering