So You Tile, What Else Do You Do And Why?

[Dan]

So if you're on the forum one can assume you tile. What other trades do you do and why?

What was your first trade?

 

[Ian]

Just tiling here, I do occasionally do the odd bit of woodwork for building frames/boxings etc, also plasterboarding. Mainly prep related stuff. I have been referred to as a professional moaner but, I've found that that doesn't pay very well so I just do it in my spare time 🙂

Under no circumstances will I ever trim a door or a plinth, that is not my job 😀

 

[peteablard]

I fit pretty much all flooring, Karndean, Amtico, sheet vinyl including cap and coved wood, carpet tiles,carpet..... Hate carpet so only fit it on rare occasions! Probably 90% of my work is tiling though

 

[Old Mod]

I'll do pretty much same as Bri, most any prep work if I think I can get it done to a good standard, and before someone else can be brought in if its gonna hold me up.
Can turn my hands to most things and definitely have the tool box, depends how I feel on the day or whether the client is someone I want to help above and beyond! Haha
Sometimes I'll do whatever it takes to provide the service I want to give to that particular client.
Having said all that, that kind of service only gets given once I'm on site!
When I'm given a project, it's purely as a tiler, I don't confess to be able to do any other trade until my feet are under the table! Haha

 

[mattle40]

I started as a metal fabricator, then I did my apprenticeship as an electrician, then trained as a tiler and just recently got my plumbing ticket.. But if I have to pigeonhole myself, I'm a tiler.

 

[Old Mod]

I started as a metal fabricator, then I did my apprenticeship as an electrician, then trained as a tiler and just recently got my plumbing ticket.. But if I have to pigeonhole myself, I'm a tiler.

I'd like to know where u find time to do all this cross training! Haha
Admirable tho! 🙂

 

[Dan]

I fit pretty much all flooring, Karndean, Amtico, sheet vinyl including cap and coved wood, carpet tiles,carpet..... Hate carpet so only fit it on rare occasions! Probably 90% of my work is tiling though

Are you on our flooring forum then?

 

[peteablard]

Are you on our flooring forum then?

Nah, never got round to it

 

[mattle40]

I'd like to know where u find time to do all this cross training! Haha
Admirable tho! 🙂

Thankyou I've had a rocky decade believe me lol. Picking my direction was always my downfall, always wanting something new/different. Right after my electrical apprenticeship I had a huge fallout with the old man and ended up homeless for 8 months ish. Then I got a chance to start from scratch training as a tiler so I took it. Unorthodox but it's what I needed. My most recent slip up was trusting a "friend" of mine who said they would get me gas qualifications. I gave them 2 years cheap labour for them to say they weren't willing to accommodate me doing gas, so I quit after getting my plumbing ticket and set up on my own. 2 months later, here I am

 

[Spare Tool]

Do most of my own prep work, bit of joinery but try to keep away from the plumbing side after a few nightmares and disasters with toilets..
Was in print finishing from leaving school till age 36, got made redundant a few weeks after signing up for a new house and had the whole house to do up, had a tiler round to quote on bathroom and kitchen, he quoted £1200, looked online and found the NETT week course for under £500 and thought I could do that, did that course n tiled my own bathroom n kitchen then just from going in local tile shop for materials got chatting to the staff in there, they mentioned there's hardly any tilers round here, got some business cards done and left them in the shop, was very daunting calling myself a tiler after a week course and a kitchen and bathroom under my belt but it took off straight away..my first ever paying job was 600x300 porc brickbond in a bathroom, walls n floor and all in rapidset as didn't know about standard set, id like to go back n see that job..