Getting started in the tiling game....

[19bri79]

No probs thanks

 

[lcjohno]

I'm into my 4th year now mate and tiling is very rewarding but also tough when starting out.
Be prepared to work long hours for not a lot of money at first. You have to price by M2 on most jobs and current rates are quite low so if your not fast you won't make loads. DON'T let that make you compromise on quality, it takes years to build your reputation and one job can ruin it!
The best marketing you can have is a website IMO, I don't do any other but that now! Get a decent one that looks the business, it showcases your work and its the first thing a customer sees if that's how they found you.
Get your card out everywhere, tile shops, kitchen showrooms, bathroom showrooms, conservatory showrooms, basically anywhere that might need a tiler, go into these places and sell yourself. I did this loads and eventually got in with a kitchen company, I now do all their tiling and the joiners, plumbers, and electricians! If it wasn't for that I don't think I would have got this far!
I now do really well through word of mouth because I've built my reputation but I'd say it's taken a good three years to build it.
You'll learn loads from this website, a good tip is just to read other tilers questions and try and answer it in your head, then read all the replies and see if your right, if not, you've learnt something! That's what I did at first, still learning all the time!
Hope that helps a bit, good luck, and if you ever want to know more give me a ring and I'll answer any questions you want. I know it's tough to start out on your own but if your really determined you'll do well.

 

[19bri79]

Great advice lcjohno thanks very much hope I can make it...

 

[19bri79]

Spoke with a few of my mates and they think am mad taking up tiling they think you can't make a living at it. I have stood my ground and said Iam going to try it out and see how I go. Thing is they are all to scared to try new things so will never fail at anything. (NOT that I will fail if I thought that then I wouldn't even bother in the first place)...

 

[Tony73]

do your best, think possitive and will make it . also you can get a lot of help here

 

[19bri79]

Yeah mate this website has been great for me so far and I haven't even laid a tile yet. They are just making me think am I doing the right thing. If you couldn't make a living from it then you guy's wouldn't be doing it?

 

[charlie1]

Ok, I would focus on tiling, forget about everything else. The most important factor that will determine your success in being a tiler is the tiling part! It can be messy and very frustrating at times. It is a very physical job too and mentally draining at times, you need to be at the top of your game 95% of the time! 100% of the time in your first 2 years. I think you need to love tiling to be any good at it because if you didn't love it, you wouldn't put up with the stress it can put you through and jack it in! You will need to be passionate about it, again, if you wernt then it would just be another job and I don't think you can be like that with tiling unless you get in to it when younger!

Good luck

 

[AliGage]

You can make a very good living tiling. Turn out good work each and everytime and you'll never be out of work. Envy is my favourite sin! Everybody talks, and every happy customer will want to show their new kitchen, bathroom, conservatory etc off to their friends. I'll guarantee you'll get at least one call from each of your customers if your works top notch.

But regardless of how much i can earn i just love being my own boss!

 

[19bri79]

I am in a physical and mentally challenging job at the moment working on machines that run into hundreds of thousands off pounds, so that side off it won't be a problem the only thing am worried about is will I be able to support my family and enjoy life. I have had enough of being away half the year I have worked offshore for 12 year now so 6 off them lost away from home. My choice at the time but its now time for something different so I am up for the challenge long days etc not a problem do 16 hour days as it is out here..
I want to have a good balance with work and home life and I think this can be achieved with starting my own tiling business.

 

[AliGage]

And as Charlie1 says. You gotta love it!

 

[detiling]

You doing your course at Tiler Training School out at Peffermill? I did course there a couple of years back and been building up my own tiling business ever since. Very good place to train, guys know there stuff and you have the best tools and facilities to learn the trade. Where are you from?

 

[19bri79]

detiling , aye doing course at peffermill, am from kincardine what about you?

 

[detiling]

Im based in Kirkcaldy mate, good luck with the course.

 

[19bri79]

Cheers, How have you found starting out are you kept busy? Thanks looking forward to the course.

 

[bugs183]

The good news for you is you'll be at home with your family, as apposed to being away.
Many of my climbing friends are rope access guys working on rigs and this does their head in, especially with a young family.
As for having a good work/home life balance then you must understand there are many factors that can and will put a spanner in the works. Jobs are delayed by customers, the job takes longer, things can't be finished etc, tiles don't turn up, new deadlines are set, all these and many other factors can mean your pleasant weekend could go out the window.
My mate started tiling and vowed hi wouldn't work weekends, and to be fair he didn't for a while, then it was Saturday mornings, then all Saturday, then Sundays. Now he's given into it.