I am back again

[karlosak]

Hi everybody

We moved from USA to Scotland, just started to settle down, still looking for final place.
My husband has already said hello a couple of weeks ago, now it's my turn.
If you can help us with information, everything is helpful.
I run the "office" part of my husband's business, he is/was a general contractor in USA. I got a job offer I couldn't resist so we decided to move back to Europe.
I need information on opportunities.
I did my research on the net and spoke to a couple of contractors on the phone, but it seems too good to be true.
My husband is a bathroom and kitchen expert, with every aspects of it (granite, tiles, installation, plumbing, heating, etc, plus design). He also did special renovations on churches and masonry in Europe. He work with all kind of tiles (stone, ceramic, natural, glass, granite, marble, etc)
I know it's a lot of unwanted info from my side, I just don't know how to start the new life. I need help to set up a business in the sense that :
Which remodeling areas are the best to jump in?
In which area do they have shortage?
Is it worthy to start a self employed business or try to get hired somewhere?

I already know the paper formalities and all the bureaucratic paths, I just miss the "human" feedpack.

Thanks for your help

Antonella

 

[DHTiling]

hello and welcome to the forums and good luck...

 

[GazTech]

Welcome to the forums Antonella......I reckon firstly, you should put yourself around the merchants you wish to supply you with materials etc . Once you have the facility to buy goods at trade rates, then suppliers may well point you in the direction of work ...the path towards better work is found easier once working........Gaz

 

[grumpygrouter]

Welcome to the forums Atoneolla, where abouts in Scotland have you moved to?

Grumpy

 

[karlosak]

HI Grumpy

My job will keep me in Edinburgh, presently staying with friends in Livingston. I start my job in February, so I have 1 month to start up my husband's business (papers, etc) .
I am looking to rent a house within 30 miles of Edinburgh, commuting time shouldn't be more than 45 minutes for me.
Anywhere within that area we will settle down and my hubby has to start introducing himself. In USA it takes about a year to catch up with customers. I hope it won't take him so much time in Scotland, he is eager to start as soon as possible.
We will be in Central Europe for Christmas, visiting my family and be back to Livingston on 29th of December.

Antonella

 

[brian c]

welcome from me,

 

[Johnftd]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[Dan]

Welcome to the forum - Nice step you've made. Well done.

As Gaz says, I'd perhaps get your name about and maybe go self employed. It seems silly for your hubby to have so many skills and let somebody else profit from them. Although I understand any work is work while you're getting him established.

I can't help directly but you'll probably get a few of the Scots reply.

 

[Rad2474]

Hi, welcome to the UK.

 

[karlosak]

Thanks, guys

Good to see these many people saying welcome to us

Antonella

 

[TheWrightTiler]

work

hi there

if you are looking for a maximun of 45 mins commuting time then the farthest areas i would go for include the following

bathgate
livingston
uphall
dalmeny
danderhall *
dalkeith *
rosyth
dunfermline
inverkeithing
dalgety bay
aberdour
burntisland
cowdenbeath

all areas are reachable by train within 35 minutes to the centre of edinburgh and depends who you work for then a season ticket loan may be available

a 3 bed house in edinburgh can cost over 200k, i bought mines for under a hundred in fife and im 22 mins on the train

as for work there is a definiate shortage of good tilers and kitchen installers in edinburgh alone

there are loads of suppliers who will give trade

topps tiles
collinsons ceramics
edinburgh tile
ceramic tile warehouse
ceramic tile distributors
tile mania

all offer good trade rates and different materials

a website speaks volumes, pm dan forum admin and he can build and host a site for you at reasonable rates and promote it great, mines already receives top rankings with google

i know of at least 5 tilers who if i am busy i can pass round work if needed and likewise they would do the same

its always handy to have a plumber or electrician to hand for underfloor heating etc
hope this helps

andy

 

[karlosak]

Good infos

Thanks for the very useful information, I will start working on it immediately.
Hopefully we can jump on the job in January.
Antonella

 

[brummie tiler]

defiantley go self employed . he obviously has many skills If you advertise right he will never be short of work

 

[daj5451]

Hi Antonella and welcome
As Andy at the wright tiler has said edinburgh is short of good trades people.Let people know about you and the work will come.
Good Luck
Dunc

 

[a1tiler]

hi and welcome to the forums