First big job advice

[Peter]

Got the chance of a fairly large job coming up and seeking a bit of general guidance. Never organised anything on the scale before so just wanting to make sure I'll not get my fingers burnt.

38 bathrooms in one floor of a hotel renovation. First floor was already done, but they weren't overly impressed with the tiling/tilers. I was doing a bit of snagging for them when the other tilers never came back so all being well got my foot in the door. Around 15m per bathroom, should be able to be done in about a day and a half tiled and grouted. There's a month turnover from start of the tiling to finish all 38, and I'd be able to get two other tilers to help me, and most likely a third if I was stuck.

Can't foresee any major problems liable to arise, reputable firm of which I've worked on their jobs before so I know how they operate. Is there anything I must look into first or sort out or even general tips for taking on a big (for me) job like this? My main concern would be penalties if the job was not completed on time.

 

[Dontiler]

38 bathrooms that's A LOT
I just found on big jobs never works how you plan, I would really add more time > or more people, 4 tilers + 1 labor and then you can try :nopity:

 

[doug boardley]

I'd deffo start with two tiling, you can flood the job with another couple of tilers after a couple of weeks if need be

 

[merlecollins]

Why did the other tiler's leave - was the workmanship dodgy?

The best advice I can offer from a programming point of view is to push the builder from day one if you are working to a definite finishing date - it's no good them sitting back and you getting to the week before handover and having 25 bathrooms to do all at once........You want a steady 10 bathrooms a week from the off, leave the last few days for fine tuning stuff, not panicking like hell coz you've still got mountains to do.

 

[hillhead]

Hi wign.i done a hotel in '08 so know the pressure etc.it was here in ni too.i had 23 bathrooms with average of 32m2 each.builder wanted me to do everything! I was sick of looking at it all.bloody glass tiles etc.i had oceans of other tiling there too.i pulled more men in and went on my hols near the end.yours sounds ok there.i had 5 in helping me at one stage.

 

[Alan.P]

As others have said, check program, man it to suit, hit it hard at first to get ahead if you can, log any standing time and reasons, report them to the site agent, back this up with emails to the main contractor, snag your own ( others ) work as you go, be over critical, as they will. And allow a time period for finishing works...

 

[diamondtiling]

As others have said, check program, man it to suit, hit it hard at first to get ahead if you can, log any standing time and reasons, report them to the site agent, back this up with emails to the main contractor, snag your own ( others ) work as you go, be over critical, as they will. And allow a time period for finishing works...

Good advice, write it all down.

Every time the.............

Electricity goes off and your in the dark
Water is turned off
Joiner needs to pop in for 5 mins and stays all day
Plumber breaks a tile and says nothing
Plumber needs to get in the bathroom your working in
Sparky wants a quick 10 minutes in a room your in ( make him pick up his crap )

If you have never been on site they will take advantage of you so get your big stick out!

:mad2:

 

[Dave Ramsden]

Good advice, write it all down.

Every time the.............

Electricity goes off and your in the dark
Water is turned off
Joiner needs to pop in for 5 mins and stays all day
Plumber breaks a tile and says nothing
Plumber needs to get in the bathroom your working in
Sparky wants a quick 10 minutes in a room your in ( make him pick up his crap )

If you have never been on site they will take advantage of you so get your big stick out!

:mad2:

All these points are an absolute must on a job of this scale. Im currently dealing with getting paid for a job I had similar issues on last year!

 

[jamie B]

I agree with the above posts..all I'll add is that anyone can give you all the talk in the world about the programme..but when the brown stuff hits the fan at the end make sure you're covered ..I reckon you could really benefit from a labourer if you could stretch for it, even the loading in of tiles to each plot will save you & the other tiler(s) valuable fixing time..I'd also be inclined to clarify the day work situation at the start for making good/remedials as with that many rooms and a deadline I reckon you'll see some 'plumbing specials' if you know what I mean!:lol: go for it mate & earn the money I say!

 

[Alan.P]

Very good points in the last 3 posts about other trades and the time / damage they can inflict. Finish your room, logging any time standing for other trades, get the room checked as finished and checked off, any damage after that is payable, the trade in question is 'normally' the Plumber ....... sorry, but it's right

At the end of the day, cover your backside every way, otherwise you'll get spanked.

 

[Peter]

Cheers for some good advice.

Still waiting to find out the specifics of the job and will make a call from there. Dont think the price is fantastic but it could be a good few weeks solid work.

 

[Peter]

Wee update:

The other tilers are doing the next floor but the contractor rang me and asked if I wanted to give them a hand. Best of both - steady work and no management pressure. Will also open up a few more doors with the other tilers. Going to put my own work first, then if I have a few days slack during a week I can do a few bathrooms.

 

[Alan.P]

Well done, it will give you a good insight to the goings on on site as well, pleased for you