Concerned would be tiler!

[videoman]

Everyone on this forum says what a great course NETT do. I think it is a matter of taking it all in and then focusing on making a go of things. It will probably take some time after your course and a number of quotes before you get any takers but keep trying and don't loose heart.

I used to work for a large blue chip company and when I first started in sales and project management I found it very difficult to win a quote. After a period of time and gaining some further experience I was gaining business from quotes up to the value £150,000 and managing the project as well.

 

[sWe]

Varley, ChaseTiling and Fekin all offer good tips and point of view.

If you are to succeed in a market which seems to be becoming saturated, you need to separate yourself from the pack. Learning the basics might not be enough.

Creating a good business plan is very important, as well as learning to plan properly. The latter comes with experience, but a little research and foresight is very useful. You need to get on top of the game as soon as possible.

If you take the plunge, you need to foster that spark of interest you have, into a raging bonfire.

My suggestions are as follows:

• Read EVERYTHING related to tiling you come across. That means standards, guides, product specs, articles, forums, etc
• Buy a stack of the cheapest tiles you can find, and dry lay them, and try to do it better and faster every time you redo.
• Cut little pieces of paper and lay them on sheets of paper with different shapes, representing surfaces, just ot se how you could best solve problems.
• Inspect every single tiled surface you come across, and consider wether or not you could do it better or different in someway.
• Ask when you are uncertain, but try to put any advice you get into context yourself, in order to get a better understanding
• Practise, practise, practise...

While learning to tile decently isn't THAT hard, doing it really well takes dedication, and alot of time.

Now, I might be a bit self-centered when I say this, but take a look at the links I have in my signature. They might give you some additional perspective, and some practical tips and hints.

Good luck.

 

[MrSpoon]

register on here Link removed and order the tiling solutions book, its free and it will explain different problems and situations you'll come across and what needs to be done and what preperation and adhesives/grout/primers and ply etc to use, even if you dont use their products its goot to have in your tool box so you can refer to if your not sure on a problem :yes:

 

[robbo]

Spot on sWe!

 

[charlie1]

Hi Gordonu2 ,

I think it was myself who posted the 20-30% stats for becoming a tiler. If you listen to the good advice you get on this forum and have a lot of drive and determination to succeed you will have a very good chance. One thing though that will also help though is tiling can be a very physical job so get yourself in good shape and this will also increase your chance.

Good luck mate

 

[Brindle]

And if you're not in good shape, believe me when you're grouting up on a warm day (or cold for that matter) you will be sweating buckets - great wight loss program for us larger folk 🙂

I did the NETT course last October, and will be quitting my job next week as I am now very busy with a growing reputation. I had loads of fears (still have) but am further down the line you are looking down.
Start getting family and friends geared up to tile their houses, you'll need the practice, and a patient set of customers!
Also I'd start chatting up the tile shops, some won't entertain you or give you work, but it's well worth persevering, if they know you're always busy eventually some calls will come.
Had I quit my job straight away, I'm sure I'd have been dissapointed as the work doesn't roll in, and you don't get each job you quote for - don't panic though! I was lucky enough to reduce my hours to 30, then to 16 which allowed me to devote 3-5 days to tiling, which has worked out ok.
Best of luck with it, I'm glad I went through with it and am enjoying what I do (even though it is bloody taxing on the brain/ physically demanding/ sometimes lonely as someone else mentioned)

Bob

Hi Gordonu2 ,

I think it was myself who posted the 20-30% stats for becoming a tiler. If you listen to the good advice you get on this forum and have a lot of drive and determination to succeed you will have a very good chance. One thing though that will also help though is tiling can be a very physical job so get yourself in good shape and this will also increase your chance.

Good luck mate

 

[ChaseTiling]

Get your CSCS card and NVQ and land the site & contract work too for those quiet times on the domestic front 😉