Looking To Start Tiling

[ExplodingPudding]

Hello all!

I am new to this forum and thought I'd give some insight into who I am.

I currently work for a tile retailer, Topps, and I am looking at two prospects in the semi-near future. Either starting my own tiling business and then leaving Topps ( currently a part timer ) or leaving Topps for a career in the Aviation industry.

My preference is for the first side of things. Now I understand that not all of yourselves may agree with Topps as a company or may of had bad experiences with local stores (Yes, I did stalk this forum first) but I assure you, I'm not here to peddle on their behalf as the HO really do blunder sometimes and leave the front line staff with their hands tied and frankly, I don't want to get into that side of it.

So a bit about what I know from the infamous Topps Tiles. We have to complete various training courses regarding the use of the products we sell as to recommend the adhesive/grout/prep requirements. We also have to interact with traders on a daily basis. Over the past 10 months, I have been fortunate enough to be able to benefit from the knowledge of a few local traders who are very well respected in the local community and learnt a fair bit from them in theory.

Please don't ask me direct questions regarding which Topps Tiles store I work at, the traders in question or about the training we are provided as I'm not sure as to the company standpoint on this and nor do I want to end up in the s*** with my boss.

So that's the basics of what I know. I would now like to know, how I go about becoming a fully self employed tiler.

Many Thanks!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Not really enough information to give you a lot of advice other than try and get experience with some of the tradesmen you know on your other part time days.
Having a bit of technical training and being able to talk the talk is not enough to sell your wares as a self employed tradesman .
Not sure what aspect of the aviation industry you were considering but in 25 years time the pension will seem well worth it.

 

[ExplodingPudding]

Not really enough information to give you a lot of advice other than try and get experience with some of the tradesmen you know on your other part time days.
Having a bit of technical training and being able to talk the talk is not enough to sell your wares as a self employed tradesman .
Not sure what aspect of the aviation industry you were considering but in 25 years time the pension will seem well worth it.

Thanks for your reply John.

The technical training whilst helpful, doesn't help the practical skills so I agree with you on that point but I have to start somewhere. I would go for a training course but unfortunately that isn't possible as I wouldn't be able to work whilst on it and have a family that rely on my income.

And cabin crew, so not much of a pension but still a pension. Always dreamt of being a pilot but that isn't going to happen anytime soon!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

That's it - you need an income and whether you will earn enough in the time you will need to gain that practical experience is the issue.
At the end of the day you have to enjoy your work.

 

[ExplodingPudding]

That's it - you need an income and whether you will earn enough in the time you will need to gain that practical experience is the issue.
At the end of the day you have to enjoy your work.

That's the benefit of being part time. It can add towards my income whilst learning. And that's what I'm looking to achieve, enjoyment and fulfilment. Though I have to say, I have really loved and hated some moments in all places I've worked/volunteered.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

However that's the problem I have with your issue - being prepared to charge for a service that you have no training to undertake.
Our trade is not regulated in the domestic sector other than the cost of liability insurances, but you could be leaving yourself and the customer open to financial risk if you take on work above your skill set.

 

[Tile Shop]

This is almost the same position I am in. I've picked up alot of technical knowledge and theory but that is nothing on its own. Practical experience is a must. I am currently trying to save save save. My plan (Long Term) is to do an intensive 3 week NVQ in Tiling and a shorter weeks course in Plumbing. This can be done in a few weeks holiday from my current job. On a part time basis, I have a local tiler who regularly works weekends so that I can go and do some free labouring for him and pick up some tips and tricks as I go and maybe even fit a few tiles. When I have enough cash saved up, I will then continue to offer my full time labouring services (not expecting to earn much from this) until I am confident I can tackle a job on my own. With the NVQ comes the CSCS card which will enable you to work on sites for a bit of income tiling almost blank shells, but this is a completely different world to working in the domestic market. Although it will give you some experience of sticking tiles.

Someone recently told me I was spot on when I said to him I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew and more importantly, not to mess anything up. So I will be only doing jobs that I am 100% confident I can do and do right even if a kitchen splashback takes me 3-4 days to get perfect. Bigger jobs will follow with the more experience and reputation you build up but I fully accept that it will take years for me to become a fully fledged professional.

My career has only been in the tile industry. But its only now that I realise I am on the wrong side of the desk to where I want to be. Don't go into tiling if you think you're going to make a quick buck off it. That won't happen. I'm trying to cover myself for making a loss in the first 2-3 years. But at least I will be loving my job.

 

[rufus the tiler]

Never worry about how long jobs take.....good jobs are vital.....you get some tilers who will tell you they can complete a full bathroom tiling from start to finish in 1 day.....they are lying or doing a job wrong.....find the most respected tiler in your area and offer to labour for free to learn .

 

[dynamictiling]

Never worry about how long jobs take.....good jobs are vital.....you get some tilers who will tell you they can complete a full bathroom tiling from start to finish in 1 day.....they are lying or doing a job wrong.....find the most respected tiler in your area and offer to labour for free to learn .

Completing a 20 metre bathroom in a day is easily done in 8 hours. Tile walls, cup of tea,grout said walls, tile floor, wait.... grout floor. I do this on a daily basis. 2 tilers on the job. I average 3-6 bathrooms a week ( obviously pending the size and amount of work involved in them)

 

[rufus the tiler]

Completing a 20 metre bathroom in a day is easily done in 8 hours. Tile walls, cup of tea,grout said walls, tile floor, wait.... grout floor. I do this on a daily basis. 2 tilers on the job. I average 3-6 bathrooms a week ( obviously pending the size and amount of work involved in them)

I presume every room has been boarded out and drying times are not adhered to

 

[dynamictiling]

The adhesive I use sets within an hour, even with 600mm porcelain on the walls. Typically I can take the pins out after 20mins. Obviously temperature plays a massive role in the setting of any adhesive. Most manufacturers often recommend 24-48 hours prior to grouting, but again said manufacturers will have you believe you can get 20m2 of tiling grouted with a 5kg bag...

 

[White Room]

The adhesive I use sets within an hour, even with 600mm porcelain on the walls. Typically I can take the pins out after 20mins. Obviously temperature plays a massive role in the setting of any adhesive. Most manufacturers often recommend 24-48 hours prior to grouting, but again said manufacturers will have you believe you can get 20m2 of tiling grouted with a 5kg bag...

If your talking rapid they still recommend 2-3 hours before grouting....

 

[dynamictiling]

I think this has been taken out of context, the only point I am making is it is more than possible to be in and out of a bathroom tiled and grouted in day. I don't tile anything then immediately grout it. Once said tiles have taken a set I grout them. A bathroom renewal takes me anywhere from 4 to 6 days to complete. That is taken to a bare shell and rebuilt.

Ultimately what I am trying to say is with experience comes speed. Faster at tiling, faster at cutting, faster at grouting. I remember the days a kitchen splashback would take me a whole day to complete. It boils down to time is money. The more you can tile In a week, the more you will make.

 

[GAZ5518]

My best advice would be to try and get some time spent with a reputable tiler.. Who has the patience to show you the real basics..far better than way of learning although will take years...
I don't believe you can learn enough in a 3 week course alone..
As for getting to a stage where you can fix and grout a 20m2 domestic bathroom in day... In ceramic would be an achievement ... In porcelain ... A miracle !!
... Well... For me!.. ( that would amount to a lot of spondooleys)
Good luck

 

[richie b]

i would avoid site work if you are are just starting out, some people think its an easy way to get started but its not, site work has supervisors who know how long a job should roughly take and they know what to look for, all the work you do will be inspected befor the house is signed off and if they think its not right you will have to snag, it can knock your confidence if you have someone breathing down ya neck and telling you its not right, with private work you can work at your own pace and get everything just right.