Is Tiling really that hard these day's ?

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

1) what is a tiler minimum ?.
2) what levels of tiler are there in the Job ?
3) do you need a printed certificate to be a tiler?
What makes you mad about people just walking into the job, in a matter of weeks ?
Lets all debate this ?

 

[Brian the Tile]

oh no another war about to break out lol,mind you it has been a bit quiet on here lately

 

[Brian the Tile]

1) a tiler is someone who should be able to turn his ir her hand to any form of tiling
(2) them that can and them that think they can
(3) no
(4)what makes me me mad is people that think (oh that looks easy i think anybody can tile) then they have a go and **** it up and expect a tiler to make it right, no way i would sooner stay at home ,and then theres folk that do a course and think thats it im a tiler after a couple of weeks ( rubbish) ,it takes a long time to learn the job and you are always learning

 

[mike1979]

It's a good one and I can't answer this as I've met a whole bunch in my time I've met blokes that have been in college tiling the same wall for 3 years get a job with Taylor's come on site thinking they are the dogs and they haven't a clue I did a modern apprenticeship only went to college on small block releases to get my papers while I worked and I have seen labourers working with tilers and most of them go on to be the best tilers with no qualifications papers mean nothing at all it's all hands on site experience for me with a good tiler not a rough git

 

[Brian the Tile]

theese courses have been going a long time ,there were courses over forty years ago when i was a appretice tiler and it used to cause trouble even then ,people coming of a course and expecting the same money as a time served tiler, well how would you feel if you had just spent five years on little money?

 

[Brian the Tile]

yep hands on is the only way to learn the job proper with a good tiler,you cant go far wrong if the main man knows what he is doing,i spent a long time mixing up and grouting before i was even allowed to touch a tile

 

[jonnyc]

I would say that tiling is not any harder these days at all.as the saying goes anyone can mAke a tile stick to floor of wall.difference is knowing new backgrounds.if anything it's easier no sand/cement for most part.

 

[mike1979]

Yes I agree I earnt £45 1st year 80 second year and 120 third year then I went on 230 which wasn't full money I had to earn and prove myself first which I did and these blokes came in trying to earn over 500 quid and I was miles better than them but I did the right thing kept my head down and just concentrated on myself

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Well i think all forms of tiling has got easier with the new bits of kit on the market not to mention lash systems, and new levellers,Adhesives, if the guys coming of the courses take it easy and don't start to run before they can walk, then they have every chance of getting to the top, the courses supply the guys with the basics, then they can take it from there , i have a guy working for me who said he was a tiler, and he has the basics of tiling, but he was a long way off doing my sort of work, so i started him on low wages and i have given him two wage rises so far and i have given him plenty of direction in the van asto what i expect not what his last matey expected, and he is still a work in progress but he is getting there.....

 

[mike1979]

I wouldn't tar everyone with the same brush mind as I know a few lads that have done a course and are coming through well and as for lash clips if you can't get a floor flat and feel for the lippers well I'd give up tiling floors lol

 

[Andy Allen]

I would say that tiling is not any harder these days at all.as the saying goes anyone can mAke a tile stick to floor of wall.difference is knowing new backgrounds.if anything it's easier no sand/cement for most part.

really..? after over 30 years tiling ive seen big changes.....big being the word, when I started a 150x200 tile was massive, now experienced tilers have to spend a sunday down Ray's yard learning how to fix his gigantic tiles...lol

 

[Sean SML Tiling]

I actually done a sgort course and now after nearly 3 years I would call myself a decent tiler. Ive made mistakes but always rectufied them. Ive turned away stacks of work thats out of my league. I learn from every job I do to improve on the next. Im by far not the best but mike1979 will tell you what my quality is like. Its mors passion than certificates.

 

[mike1979]

Ye that's why I said I wouldn't tar everyone with the same brush Sean is one of the few that came out the right side that's because you conduct yourself in the right way and go about your business properly and I wouldn't hesitate on workin on a project with him in the future

 

[One Day]

I started to reply to points 1-4 and then realised I couldn't be bothered.
It's all SO subjective and depends on individual viewpoints.
How many massive arguments have been started on tiling forums and how many toys thrown out of prams over these debates???

If you turn out good work in good time and make good money with smiles on your customer's faces - that's enough for me, irrespective of whether you've self-taught / done a 4 week course or spent 5 years working alongside Phil Hobson.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I started to reply to points 1-4 and then realised I couldn't be bothered.
It's all SO subjective and depends on individual viewpoints.
How many massive arguments have been started on tiling forums and how many toys thrown out of prams over these debates???

If you turn out good work in good time and make good money with smiles on your customer's faces - that's enough for me, irrespective of whether you've self-taught / done a 4 week course or spent 5 years working alongside Phil Hobson.

I have said this many times on this forum, good tilers are more about mind set/ attention to detail, than certificates or years on the job.

I know a few tilers about my age who are as rough now as they were when they were 15 yrs old, I do have the papers but more importantly I still strive to leave a job to the best of my ability.

I still learn new things from this forum, and still enjoy meeting members, we are all kindred spirits or we would not be on here.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Who would want to work alongside Phil Hobson for 5 years!!
I bet he listens to Radio 4.
He'd be talking about sand and cement, pin hammers, and sawdust!
Is tiling hard these days? It's all relevant. Bigger, heavier tiles, but better cutters, so instead of a hammer and chisel for a 6" quarry we have a simple scribe on a 1200 machine.
For me it's a lot easier than 40 years ago and still just as enjoyable ( I type from apartment in Spain) but not as easy as some think.
I never get concerned how long someone has been fixing tiles, it's up to the customer to do their homework and they deserve everything they get - good or bad - its their choice.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Who would want to work alongside Phil Hobson for 5 years!!
I bet he listens to Radio 4.
He'd be talking about sand and cement, pin hammers, and sawdust!
Is tiling hard these days? It's all relevant. Bigger, heavier tiles, but better cutters, so instead of a hammer and chisel for a 6" quarry we have a simple scribe on a 1200 machine.
For me it's a lot easier than 40 years ago and still just as enjoyable ( I type from apartment in Spain) but not as easy as some think.
I never get concerned how long someone has been fixing tiles, it's up to the customer to do their homework and they deserve everything they get - good or bad - its their choice.

Cheers John, I am dreading spending tomorrow in my own company. I would not wish five years with me on anyone.

 

[Spud]

I think the materials and format has changed massively in the last 15 years and is more akin to marble fixing these days than ceramic tiling with all the large format polished porcelain

 

[Stef]

I have said this many times on this forum, good tilers are more about mind set/ attention to detail, than certificates or years on the job.

I know a few tilers about my age who are as rough now as they were when they were 15 yrs old, I do have the papers but more importantly I still strive to leave a job to the best of my ability.

I still learn new things from this forum, and still enjoy meeting members, we are all kindred spirits or we would not be on here.

Phil hit the nail right on the head.
I think it's all about mind set & attention to detail.
Just because you have served a tilling apprenticeship doesn't make you any good.
On the same token neither does doing a tiling course, it's all down to the individual & how good a job they want to leave.

 

[Sean Page]

Attention to detail, clean finishes and customer satisfaction are all that really count. We know the amount of work that goes on behind the finish, but the finish is all the customers ever really look at.

 

[AliGage]

Ahhhh some of you beat me to it already.
Its not about papers, courses, years on apprenticeships etc.
Its your own mind set. Some have it, some dont. The concept of sticking a tile to a surface is as easy as doing up velcro trainers!

 

[MTiler]

Yep definately all in the mind set, no body knows everything about everything we're always learning.

 

[Brian the Tile]

My word, that takes me back , pin hammer and tungsten tipped chisel on the quarries

 

[Brian the Tile]

And back edging the thick wall tiles and rubbing them down to make them jolly s (mitres) , because my boss wasto tight to bye them lol

 

[Brian the Tile]

Buy them sorry