how's the last year been for you?

[doug boardley]

last year was my first 12 months part time tiling- full time house hubby,,,,,what a bloody juggling act :mad2:, getting the lads up, dressed, breakfast, faces washed teeth cleaned, on the bus, me flask in hand ushering them onto the bus as I go to my yoot. Having to get home from work at (the latest 3:40pm) to get 'em off the bus, outta their school clobber, get tea ready,(we always have a proper sitdown roast summat with veg at teatime), Mrs Doug not usually home till 6:30pm, kids to bed about 7;45, KIDS ASLEEP ABOUT 9;30!!!
,,,but on the positive side, we only had 3 weekends at home this last summer, and that was only because we'd probably got back with the caravan from a week away somewhere, on the friday.
On the whole, it's been an educational year for me, not a money making year, but it's certainly been an experience:smilewinkgrin:
what's your year been like?

 

[nybor62]

well were to start, cant wait for this year to end
work wise not been to mad , a few companies i subby to been a bit naughty with money, my work partner decided to do a bunk ,

my wifes younger brother lost is 6 month fight with cancer, only 42 , heart breaking died 7 weeks ago , emotianally been very hard

c,mon 2012 hurry up ,and bring me some look , merry christmas

 

[DHTiling]

It's been a good year work wise and cannot complain.

Had some really nice stone jobs.

Been a tough year home wise as my missus health is very poor and trying to work and help her isn't easy but we cope.

So here's wishing you lads/lasses a top 2012.

 

[Mike]

i was going to moan saying i've not earned enough this year but luckily we all (here) have our health so i guess that makes it a good year. i do need to charge more for work though, it's okay when i'm busy and doing the odd weekend (which i don't mind) but if i get a quiet week it takes weeks to catch up. it's a hard balance as it's not an affluent area here. i've been busy all year bar a couple of weeks

 

[steve187]

I think this year has been ok, I sold up and moved from the UK to Thailand 2 years ago,where it is a lot cheaper to live, i now return for the summer and find enough work to get me through the winter, resting in the sun. Having no ties in the Uk, means i can travel about for work.

All the best to all, and i hope 2012 is better for our trade. think of me eating a turkey sandwich on the beach xmas day.

 

[Rich]

For me 2011 has been the hardest year I have every had (work wise), been very busy all year through but trying to get a new business off of the ground has really taken its toll. However the end of the year has been very very rewarding and it is starting to look like we are heading to where we want to be (making a little money!) so I am over the moon.

Apart from work, my dad has finally won his battle with ill health and has come out the other side, I have the perfect relationship with my partner and I am very close to my family.

All in all, I am a happy bunny at the end of 2011 but I think I have earned it!

I hope we all make 2012 an improvement on this year

 

[Andy Allen]

work for me has been very up and down, ive had more than a few days off through lack of work, however ive been looking through my diary, and although ive worked less days than last year ive earnt more money, down to the fact that i refuse to drop my prices to the silly levels some customers want.

ive had to battle with a couple of non payers, mainly builders, which has made me think about only taking on private work, and work for builders i know pay from now on, i really can't be doing with the stress of chasing money thats owing.

my wife was made redundant from her job 2 months ago, a place where she had worked for nearly 30 years, i thought she would walk into another job, as shes highly qualified, she must have applied for 50 jobs, and half dont even bother replying, brings it home how tough things are, thankfully she now has another job, for a large insurence firm, which she starts in the new year.

biking this year could of been better, i got out more in the lovely spring weather we had, than the dismal summer, lets hope next years better..

i hope you lot have had a good year......

happy christmas, ..

 

[Rich]

Here here to the biking weather Andy

 

[CJ]

Been a good year for work, after a slow start Jan/Feb.........then flat out nearly all the time. Home life has been a rollercoaster, mainly due to son leaving home to train for British Army, then getting his posting to Germany, then off to Afganistan. Not seen him for nearly 5 months, and they keep putting his R&R back.

Hopefully 2012 will be a good one...........already booked up for a lot of Jan.

Hope 2012 is a good one for you all............and have a good Christmas.
I've just finished until next week.

 

[The D]

Its been up and down like a dogs hind leg. Feast or famine.:mad2: But having the forum has made it easier to cope with, there is always some one to give good advice when it is needed on any subject not just tiling, always someone interested how things are going and not looking to condemn you, and always some one to tell me to wined my neck in when I am loosing the plot. So all that said it has been a good year

 

[doug boardley]

Its been up and down like a dogs hind leg. Feast or famine.:mad2: But having the forum has made it easier to cope with, there is always some one to give good advice when it is needed on any subject not just tiling, always someone interested how things are going and not looking to condemn you, and always some one to tell me to wined my neck in when I am loosing the plot. So all that said it has been a good year

I've got a wife that does that...frequently:lol:

 

[Ian]

Terrible start to the year, same as CJ, but brilliant since March. Booked well into next year now so that's nice. All in all had a successful year business wise, personally all is great, bought a new home and the family and I are all healthy. The best bit of the year is, without doubt, getting a tx700 and a d24000 :drool5::lol:

 

[user123]

Workwise, I've loved this year, loads of challenging commissions, each one being a learning curve and each one dealing with the nicest of customers. I think all the work experience this year has taught me enough to become faster next year at what I'm doing, not needing to repeat those mistakes again. The best thing this year has been how much people like what I do, that's been truly magical.

Family wise the last 12 months have been a *****, with losing both my parents and son getting married in Australia without me being able to be there, but he is here visiting now, so helping to blow all the cobwebs away. Got some tough stuff to go through re my Mum's estate and all that in January, but then I hope I can just live and work in peace in the new year. And health, yes, as long as we have that, and this lovely forum to be part of ...

 

[andy8758]

Up and down describes every year for me for the last 15 years.... Surviving parents (just) need the kind of attention they gave us as children - what worries me is being like that in a few years time. Wasn't it better when parents seemed to be the font of all wisdom and able to deal with everything? Now it seems our children demand the same from us too!!

Workwise very much hit and miss - tried my first commercial work and discovered just how crooked some commercial tiling companies are! Great experience working my *** off tiling to get ripped off when time for payment came :lol:

Domestic market is very slow, but had some excellent jobs - and private customers always tell you how pleased they are with your tiling work - ever had that much praise from a builder anyone? Great experience but hard way to earn a living sums up my work this year. Looking forward to better work and earning more next year. Well. Can I can hope cant I?

 

[advancetiling]

steve187, i stayed at my ex partners brothers in korat last year where he was having some tiling done. Found out the going rate. equivalent to £2 a metre.Thats my early emigration plan foiled then.
This year workwise has been good up until about 3 weeks ago.Planning on doing more commercial work and topping up with domestic.Just had website updated so raring to go in the new year.
On a personal note,been a terrible year.my mum passed away 4 months ago after a bad stroke,then my aunty followed the next week.Next year can only get better