Discuss Lowering job spec to get work?? in the UK Tiling Forum area at TilersForums.com.

M

mattle40

Hi all
Basically I get a lot of my work thru a plumber friend of mine, so basically I'm sub contracting to him
When he asks for my price I go spec the job etc
But he has his own ways and that's that, he just wants me to stick tiles to the wall
Generally he just wants to board a room out, get it skimmed, first fix plumbing then pass it on to me to tile, he's not interested in tanking etc or even over boarding correctly as he sees this to be his part of the job and doesn't want to change his methods
(9mm ply at best by the way)
I'm just not comfortable doing these jobs but it's hard to decline work

(Iv never tiled any floors for him by the way because of the 9mm ply)

Any advice welcomed
 

John Benton

TF
Arms
2,203
1,138
Leeds
I used to subby for a plumber who was always wanting me to cut costs. In the end I had enough because I wouldn't compromise my side of the job. You can bet if I had and the tiles failed it would be me going back and nit him so we parted company. There are plenty of good plumbers who want the job doing properly. I would start ringing round and asking plumbers if they have a tiler they recommend, sub work to etc and take it from there.
 
M

mattle40

I don't think it's a cost thing he's just stuck in his ways, a lot of the time I dnt even see the job until after the skim and overboard
It's as though tiling wasn't the original plan a lot of the time
Bit it's hard to talk to him about it without undermining his knowledge
He's gud at what he does but he's no tiler if you get me
And while he's getting me jobs I dnt want to get into it
Basically I want the work, who doesn't but I want to do it my way
But this always ends in awkward conversations
You think I should just say no to these jobs and save a friendship
Or persist its my way or the highway kinda thing??
 

John Benton

TF
Arms
2,203
1,138
Leeds
If it's not a cost thing then you need to point him in the direction of this forum very subtly so that he can learn from the guys on here as to how the jobs should be done properly.

Tell him you're and member on here and the advice is given to both pro's and diy'ers.
 
M

mattle40

hello,whats the agreement on material cost etc on these jobs? is it just the floors hes not prepping if so add into your costs and re sheet them ..? just dont tell him lol

I give him a price for my labour and materials etc but he likes me to justify the materials and break the job down so he knows when he can get back in for the second fix
And when say £100 quid is for kerdi matting for example he just says to leave it out and he'll take the hit if it fails etc
It just doesn't sit right with me
 
M

mattle40

how much work does he give you mattle? and do you also give him work?

He offers a lot to be fair although I only take a little bit due to what we can agree on etc and working around my own stuff, he's a lot more established than I am so I have got him work in the past but not nearly as much
 
S

Sanke

Hi Mattie

My main business is plumbing & I have experience of several tilers. The key is to have a good relationship "working together" Perhaps you could attend site earlier to see what he is doing & get him to be on site when you are there. That way he can see how what he does affects you.
Also I would try & get a relationship with some other local plumbers so that you are less dependant on him
 
M

mattle40

Ye that's a place to start, spose I can just tell him to do that on all jobs regardless of weather or not he gets me to tile it
But yes that just one of many problems
Walls are worst I think to be honest he likes to get them skimmed because generally the customer expects it anyway and it's another area he can get money and when iv suggested swapping skimming for tanking he doesn't want to get involved with it
Infact the more I put on here and vent a little the more I think it's just not worth the hassle lol
 

John Benton

TF
Arms
2,203
1,138
Leeds
Ye that's a place to start, spose I can just tell him to do that on all jobs regardless of weather or not he gets me to tile it
But yes that just one of many problems
Walls are worst I think to be honest he likes to get them skimmed because generally the customer expects it anyway and it's another area he can get money and when iv suggested swapping skimming for tanking he doesn't want to get involved with it
Infact the more I put on here and vent a little the more I think it's just not worth the hassle lol

Unfortunately he's looking out for himself and to gain out of each job as much as he can. He probably feels that he's doing his bit by passing the tiling on to you.

Just a quick question, is he VAT registered?
 

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