Do tilers give away too much hard earned information?

[Muse2k8]

Have to say though that one of the best plasterers I know only started when he "gave it a go" and found he had a natural talent for it.

 

[Dan]

I know of a few tradesmen like that Muse.

Also know some tradesmen who are time-served who are not too good at all too though.

So you get 'em both I guess.

 

[Muse2k8]

It's like with most things. Some people can play a guitar, sometimes effortlessly and others can practice and be taught for many years but just not have the natural affinity for it.

 

[Pebbs]

When I first started out, my boss was one of those old Italian Terrazzo men, one of the first to do Terrazzo over here. I was lucky he taught me everything, to pass the knowledge on (hes in his late 70's). I will forever be grateful to him, even if he could be a bit of a whatsit most days. The old ways and skills are a dying art now, which saddens me. People have to learn these skills, or the specialist trades disappear. If someone wants to learn something I do not see any reason not to teach them, like Muse says some people do have a natural talent for these things, others simply do not even if they have been doing it for years.

Pebbs

 

[gamma38]

When I first started out, my boss was one of those old Italian Terrazzo men, one of the first to do Terrazzo over here. I was lucky he taught me everything, to pass the knowledge on (hes in his late 70's). I will forever be grateful to him, even if he could be a bit of a whatsit most days. The old ways and skills are a dying art now, which saddens me. People have to learn these skills, or the specialist trades disappear. If someone wants to learn something I do not see any reason not to teach them, like Muse says some people do have a natural talent for these things, others simply do not even if they have been doing it for years.

Pebbs

A good point well said

 

[martin1c]

Sometimes giving free information is the best and easiest way to show how professional you are and that you are worth paying for. Sure, B&Q has the plastic tools and the tubbed adhesives etc and they make it look easy so a lot of DIYers will buy it and get on with the job. There are also those who might want to check first on a forum like this and then they find out about different types of adhesive, tanking, substrates and cutters. At this point a lot of them will prefer the idea of paying a professional and at least they will know exactly what they are paying for and why. One of the most successful marketing methods these days is 'give to receive.'

 

[White Room]

The trouble is most people will ask the guy at a shed for advise when buying the addy and tiles and the assistants knowledge is pretty lacking, staff training would go a long way to helping people to choose the right goods for the diyers maybe attempting there own fixing...

I do remember Tony Blair saying Education Education once, maybe some companys should have listened.

 

[Muse2k8]

I miss Tony Blair

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

me to like a bad back

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

The end

 

[Muse2k8]

Lol I'd take Tony over David any day. At least I had work and could have got me a house etc

 

[John Benton]

Lol I'd take Tony over David any day. At least I had work and could have got me a house etc

He was a quality tiler Blair, shame he's working in the Middle East now, trying to keep the peace. Appears he's doing a good job there, you never hear of any trouble there now :mad2:

Tony Blair, he couldn't run a bath, never mind a country!!! :lol:

 

[Just Rizzle]

Lol I'd take Tony over David any day. At least I had work and could have got me a house etc

got work of blair tiled his kitchen in his constituency house in trimdon had a big numpty copper with a machinegun guarding me all day for a week.( bet he claimed it on his expences.) had a ugly turquoise aga

 

[Bill]

had a ugly turquoise aga

Leave Cherie out of it..........

 

[scotmk]

I have no problem with paying a professional to do a job. Saying that as you know I have done the tiling myself, mainly becuase I am a stay at home dad so I have time and the bathroom is not needed urgently. Tiling is not easy but I would still do it again. I may do things In the wrong order, but I used the right products and tools and took my time. I reckon the job could have been done in a week maybe 2 with units etc. So far taken me 3 weeks and another probably 2 for units sanitry ware and finishing touches. But I like doing these type of things.

I have done a lot to my extension including fitting the windows,electrics, plumbing, plasterboardin, skimming etc. I have the confidence to do it,so research and ask thoroughly before commencing.

But saying that, if I felt I could not I would pay for a professional to do it.

 

[bcd-87]

Soory guys... I have very little time for DIYers or these Micky mouse courses..

Become a tiler in a week? I think not!
Go on YouTube tile walls and floor BS !

 

[MTiler]

Soory guys... I have very little time for DIYers or these Micky mouse courses..

Become a tiler in a week? I think not!
Go on YouTube tile walls and floor BS !

Nowt wrong with the courses, in the end its down to the individual and what they do with the info theyve learnt. Theyre a starting block. Needs must.

 

[bcd-87]

Nowt wrong with the courses, in the end its down to the individual and what they do with the info theyve learnt. Theyre a starting block. Needs must.

I'm talking from experience, Iv worked with too many muppets who think there pros after 5min training..

I will happily take 2-3k of anyone wanting to be a tiler in a week

 

[MTiler]

I'm talking from experience, Iv worked with too many muppets who think there pros after 5min training..

I will happily take 2-3k of anyone wanting to be a tiler in a week

So am I.
You cant tar everyone with the same brush, which people are so keen to do, its just lazy.
I started tiling from doing a 4 week course, plus a couple of other courses and i aint too bad at this tiling malarky. One of the guys up for this years TTA tiler of the year originally learnt on a course, as did a recent winner. As it happens we all learnt with the same company.

 

[bcd-87]

So am I.
You cant tar everyone with the same brush, which people are so keen to do, its just lazy.
I started tiling from doing a 4 week course, plus a couple of other courses and i aint too bad at this tiling malarky. One of the guys up for this years TTA tiler of the year originally learnt on a course, as did a recent winner. As it happens we all learnt with the same company.

cool story

 

[WetSaw]

We are all constantly learning aren't we?

 

[One Day]

We are all constantly learning aren't we?

The best of us are. Unfortunately some peeps think they've learnt it all already...

 

[Time's Ran Out]

We are all constantly learning aren't we?

Yes but is it right to charge when you don't have the skill set to do the job of a professional?

 

[WetSaw]

My point was that regardless of your experience or capabilities at some point you are doing something for the first time.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

My point was that regardless of your experience or capabilities at some point you are doing something for the first time.

I agree and not having a go at your input, just expressing an opinion that you should have gained the relevant experience before you charge for doing something for the first time.
Someone that has the title professional tiler shouldn't be asking what adhesive to use or asking how much to charge for a kitchen splash back. But that as I say is my opinion.
And to elaborate, when I use 'you' it could have been 'one' - it was not a reference to any particular post.
Don't want to upset anyone else.