Surface Specialist, LLC is Tops in Underlayment

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Contractor: Surface Specialist, LLC
Project Type: Flooring Case Studies

Surface Specialist, LLC, an INSTALL Liberty Bell Group contractor based out of Philadelphia, PA corrects, levels and optimizes substrates for new flooring/wall system finishes, in service to many new and historic landmark buildings. They have completed projects ranging in size from 500 to more than 1,000,000 square feet. Their customers are the Delaware Valley region's largest building contractors and owners.

"We are unique in that we're a group of commercial flooring installation professionals who evaluate the building's substrate, the proposed flooring finishes/wall systems, then correct the surface as needed," says Tim Fahey, owner of Surface Specialist. "When you need us, we respond with educated, hands-on professionals who evaluate, then optimize, the substrate to ensure that the application of flooring and wall system finishes is faster, less costly, visually optimized and not prone to failure."

Services range from minor patching /sanding to the installation of a new super-flat, engineered cement-leveling underlayment.

Surface Specialist has enjoyed rapid growth and success since its inception in 2003 by Tim Fahey and Stephen DeGaray. DeGaray is also the president and co-owner of Pyramid Floor Covering, Inc., also an INSTALL contractor, and one of the largest firms of its kind. DeGaray began his career in commercial flooring more than 25 years ago and is a recognized authority in substrate preparation and advanced application technology. Fahey was the former president of LVI Environmental Services, Inc. of Philadelphia, one of the nation's largest demolition and asbestos removal specialty contractors. He grew his Philadelphia-based division to more than $20 million in annual revenues before founding Surface Specialist.

"Our customers are general contractors, developers, building owners, engineering firms and commercial flooring contractors," says Fahey. "Whether it's renovation or new construction, we will evaluate the existing substrate, the proposed flooring finishes and then design and install the optimum surface preparation."

A recent project in downtown Philadelphia provides an excellent example of the services the company provides. Several years ago, the one-million-square-foot building was gutted to its core to renovate the vacated space for all new tenants. "The substrate was severely damaged by the removal of the old flooring finishes and the overall demolition activities," says Fahey. As the building's renovation progresses and new tenants sign on, Surface Specialist is among the first contractors on the job. "We work closely with the building owner, the architect and the general contractor - in this case P. Agnes, Inc. - to restore the substrate for the new tenant's flooring and wall system finishes."

In new structures such as Philadelphia's Cira Centre, the company has improved more than 15 floors of the building's substrate to accommodate low-tolerance finishes such as glass wall systems and wood flooring, which require an extremely "flat" substrate for proper installation.

Surface Specialist offers unparalleled expertise and innovative service, and its crews are all trained, experienced professionals from INSTALL Local 1823. "Our crews and managers are trained flooring installers," says Fahey. "We understand the critical detail of substrate preparation as it relates to all types of building finishes and the overall construction objectives."

The company has designed and patented its own application systems, including a fleet of high-volume, mobile, self-contained pump trucks for high-volume applications with space constraints.

"We have put an end to the inferior 'Gypcrete' 'one-size-fits-all' solution to surface preparation," says Fahey. "The products we utilize have been carefully selected; we do not cut corners." Additionally, Surface Specialist's ethic is professionalism; it values each client and earns their loyalty.

Surface Specialist solves problems and delivers on its commitments. "Our customers repeatedly attest to our value and professionalism," says Fahey. "We view each new project as another opportunity for us to earn their confidence."

Surface Specialist is located at 325 Westtown Rd., Ste. 10, West Chester, PA 19382. Phone is 610-458-5254 and Fax is 610-458-5652.

Philadelphia-area projects and contractors that have benefited from Surface Specialist, LLC include:

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