Is it worth it

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Sometimes i really wonder if being self-employed is worth it over the years ,! with all the overheads, finding work,staying in work, getting riped-off , economy going down hill every year ! whats your take on it then fellers ?

 

[DHTiling]

I think we all feel like this at times ... some weeks i could just tell them all to fluff ooof and retire early :lol:

 

[Gazzer]

I would find it hard being employed again but this is all I have known since 1980.

 

[Bubblecraft]

Yeah, we all feel like that from time to time but nothing beats being your own boss!

 

[bugs183]

If i'm honest Diamond, after 20 years i'm fed up with it all, i've found this last year a total pain in the botty!
I've lost the love for tiling, (you can probably tell, by my moaning!!), so i'm getting retrained in a few weeks time in another industry, one where i have lots of good contacts, be employed and then i'll let someone else have all the hassle for a bit.
And then i'll moan about that and be a self employed tiler again!!!

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

If i'm honest Diamond, after 20 years i'm fed up with it all, i've found this last year a total pain in the botty!
I've lost the love for tiling, (you can probably tell, by my moaning!!), so i'm getting retrained in a few weeks time in another industry, one where i have lots of good contacts, be employed and then i'll let someone else have all the hassle for a bit.
And then i'll moan about that and be a self employed tiler again!!!

What are you going to do for a change then Bugs,? slowly as this recession has gone on i have seen some great tradesmen fall by the wayside ,move to other jobs and work cards-in, things are slow here at the mo and it should pick-up as the whether gets better , but i think its time i was looking for another, way to make dosh during the year ! good luck to you mate ! are you going to stick about here? ......

 

[Spud]

thats a shame bugs, one lad I used to work with a lot gave it up and retrained as a site agent he is stressed a lot as does long hours but weekends are his own he has a lovely car and no real money worries these days he misses the freedom of being self employed but he made the right choice for him and will never come back to tiling

 

[bugs183]

Things are certainly slower, the phone is quieter, but i've had a steady stream of decent work ahead of me, i've been getting lots of work from a design team in Cheltenham recently and i'm booked into May with those guys, so thats great.

It's just super hard making money these days, and with the advent of anhydrite screeds my main income of flooring has been totally ruined. I don't trust the methods and therefore i just have to walk away, as i know all the problems that could occur. They may not go wrong, but there is always that 'what if', and that doesn't help me sleep at night. Plus all the other faff we have to deal with, cash flow, pricing, jobs not going to plan.

So the plan is move towards rigging work, i have great contacts in Snowdonia, so i can actually live full time in my cottage in the mountains, which is what i dream of. I'll be self employed, but it's labour only so the cash flow will be predictable.

But if i'm still welcome, i'll hang around on here, it's a great little forum, and is helping both tilers and DIYers as much as it can.

 

[White Room]

I find my patience wears thin nowadays but have been self employed since 1980 and don't know how I would cope working for someone, retraining for another career is not an option as I'm going to be 57 this year.

Every so often we meet the client from hell and that can blow your confidence a bit but there was the really good times where we was all earning well and change of career was never an option.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

I don't think being on cards would give me the flexibility that I take for granted these days....having a bad day I can knock it on head and get home and take dog out for a bit of bunny bopping:lol:

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I totally understand the frustration we must all feel, having been self employed from the age of 24 and now being 61 I must stick it out, It is all I know and I still love the trade. Maybe I should get in to teaching or assessing, but I wish you all the best Bugs, I'm sure you will do well, keep in touch on the forum mate.

 

[peteablard]

I love being self employed, couldn't handle being employed now!

 

[bugs183]

I know what you mean about the flexibility, and it is good, but i find i loose as many days especially weekends 'having' to work when you weren't expecting too, as being able to get a day off, so for me it's kinda swings and roundabouts.
The ways these guys work it is similar to what we do anyway, they ask if you're available and if you want to you work. So obviously they would want you as much as they can but it's not like a full time employment contract.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I don't believe that there are many other occupations that could have the earning potential of a fully paid up member of the tiling profession and none can match the job satisfaction that should be achieved.
Downturns happen in all economies but that will just result in a stronger more determined work ethic that builds a better business.
Plan to succeed, never borrow on credit, save hard and enjoy your family.
This is the best job in the world!

 

[DHTiling]

It is times like this week ( Housemaids knee again).. when knee pain makes me feel like doing something else.. but i love my trade and cannot see me doing anything else..

Every job/trade etc has it's down sides and it's up sides , you just learn to deal with them in your own way.