Steve’s flooring career began in 1991 in his native Bergen County, New Jersey. Fresh out of school, he started as a helper at Luv Your Floors, a family-owned business in Wayne, where his older brother taught him the trade. Steve tried other kinds of work over the years, but flooring was what stuck and installing is something he still genuinely enjoys.

After moving to Delaware in 2005 to follow Kristen’s family, Steve worked as a contractor for Seaford Abbey Carpets and Fahrenbach Flooring in Lewes. He also spent time working with big-box stores, an experience that helped define what he’d want and wouldn’t want in his own business. When he opened Seaford Flooring in 2006, Steve wanted customers to have a more personal experience.

“You buy from me, you deal with me from start to finish,” he says. “You’re not just a number; you’re a person.”

Seaford Flooring is truly family owned and operated. While Steve is out providing estimates and installing floors, his wife of 25 years, Kristen, whom he affectionately calls “Boss” and the family rock, keeps everything moving behind the scenes, handling calls, paperwork, finances and daily operations. While most of the couple’s seven children are pursuing their own interests and careers, youngest 12-year-old Jace has taken a particular interest in Dad’s work.

Jace started helping Steve around age six and has become his “wingman” and “co-pilot,” joining him during school breaks and summers. Steve would love to eventually pass Seaford Flooring to him, although he has made one thing clear: Jace has to finish school first. Jace isn’t quite sure what the business will look like by then, but Steve has one prediction for his son’s future: growth.

For now, Steve’s own vision is intentionally grounded. “I wasn’t born rich. I don’t expect to die rich,” he says. His goal is to remain fair, maintain quality and affordability, and build a community-centered business that creates returning customers and longtime friends.

Seaford Flooring offers sales, service, installation and repairs for carpet, luxury vinyl plank and tile, vinyl composition tile, hardwood, laminate sheet vinyl, along with carpet restretching. Customers can shop in the showroom or request in-home shopping, and Steve keeps installations in-house rather than using subcontractors.

Just as important is knowing when not to sell something. If Steve can repair a customer’s existing flooring instead of replacing it, he will. “If I could save somebody and fix what they’ve got, I’ll fix it,” he says. Even as inflation, tariffs, fuel prices and other costs have increased, he has worked to remain competitive and accommodate customers’ budgets.

His advice to Stroll residents considering flooring is simple: shop around and educate yourself. “Compare apples to apples,” he says. Understand exactly what you’re purchasing instead of relying solely on advertising or a sales pitch. Flooring is a long-term investment you’ll live with every day.

Steve’s connection to the community extends beyond his business. For 10 years, he has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Seaford and Blades fire companies. He is also a certified Delaware volunteer fire police officer, helping direct traffic and protect firefighters and EMTs at roadway scenes. Seaford Flooring supports veterans, police and firefighters through discounts and donations.

Steve continues to reflect on what matters to him the most when he started: quality work, fair pricing and personal service.

It’s an approach summed up by the family’s fitting slogan: “Making smiles for miles.”