do i need qualifications?

[wilson83]

hi everyone

iam wishing to start a new career in wall and floor tiling,what qualifications do i need to start up as self employed?i was thinking about doing a 5 day course and they tell me that thats all i need

can someone please help me or give me advise

many thanks
glen

 

[Gazzer]

You dont need a qualification to be self employed, just sort that out with the tax office.
5 days will not make you a tiler, you will gain a little experience but as many others have found out, as soon as you get get your 1st real job you will find its a whole new ball game.
I am not knocking these courses, you have to start somewhere and the days of getting trained on the job with experienced tilers seem to be few and far between.

 

[wilson83]

hi sir ramic

thats a big help thank you,iam finding it hard to get in to wall and floor tiling as a career,thats al i wanted to do as a career but neva had the chance to (family reasons),if you have anymore advice i will be greatful.

 

[Gazzer]

A lot will depend on your age, area where you are, your ability and hand skills. Some people pick it up quicker than others, I have lost count of how many people come into the forum thinking tiling is easy. I have lost count of how many have come and gone.
Knowing people in the trade help too not just tilers but other trades, builders, plumbers etc.

What ever you decide, the forum is here to help if we can. We would prefer you ask questions 1st rather than have you make mistakes.

 

[suave]

welcome along mr

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi Glen, and:welcome: I must echo Sir Ramics views, to be a real tiler takes years of experience. A course will give you a good start to understanding the basics of tiling. But tiling (real tiling) is a highly skilled trade. I would suggest you do your course, and then try and find a pro tiler in your area, who would let you tag along it may have to be unpaid, but you will then get an insight into the problems a real tiler has to deal with on a daily basis.

I do hope you don't take my post as being negative, but I do get a bit miffed when people think tiling is easy, I served a five year apprenticeship and have over forty years in the trade ( it is a TRADE) minimum now is three years, for NVQ . I know it is not easy to get qualified in this day and age, but I have seen the skill levels being diluted over the years.

I think it is time we had a reality check, tiling is, was, and always will be a skilled trade (sometimes bordering on art) when done properly and professionally, If you do decide That tiling is for you then I wish you the best of luck. But please don't expect to be a pro after a five day/five week course or even six months. It is not going to happen. There are some awsome tilers on this forum, some of them are finding things tough atm. So you may find yourself competing against them for work. I do wish you well, but as you may have gathered I am very passionate about my trade.

I hope I have not upset anyone by my opinion. It is just my opinion, and not the opinion of the forum.

 

[Muse2k8]

I'm a plumber and generally do mostly bathrooms. I'm going on a tiling course to learn to do it better but even then if it's not an easy job I'll still get a pro in to do it.

 

[wilson83]

hi phil

thats a big help and totally agree, you are right on what you are saying, hopefully i will get there in the end as ive always wanted to be a tiler.
thanks for replay

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome , good luck in your new career. Phils advice is spot on.

 

[Mike]

welcome and good luck if you add your location you may find someone local who would be willing to help you with some work experience

 

[kilty55]

welcome along

 

[nybor62]

welcome along and good luck,

 

[The D]

I concur with the above advice and wish you every success if you decide on tiling as a vocation. God loves tilers.

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome...

 

[Time's Ran Out]

:welcome: and good luck.

Just to add to the others great advice - after your 5 day basic intro, you could just become a self employed person doing tiling jobs.
However you would be limited to the domestic market as you do need the relevant NVQ's and tax cards to work for builders and on sites (along with experience).

 

[Muse2k8]

And as soon as you come across something that isn't square or level your boned

 

[AMtek]

Experience with a good tiler is the way to go but make sure they are a GOOD tiler, too many tilers out there who may have been doing the job for years but never learned to do it properly to start with. Read as much as you can on here so you know the theory and if you are being shown properly. Good luck with your new career!

 

[steve187]

A lot of good advice has been given, now is not a good time to be getting into the tiling 'game', especially if you have a full time job already. go on a course, get some experience with friends and family and your own house, and go from there. but don't jump in with both feet, without checking the depth of the water.
good luck