New Business on a Budget!

[Muse2k8]

What about some of the stuff on this page? Seems to be good enough to graft out for a few months on it. Im a bit weary of the wet saw, only really used bigger ones but has anybody had any experience with it?

Tradetiler Tilers Starter Tool List

 

[Mike]

beg steal and borrow but avoid loans if possible. i had a grant for a grand for tools a few years ago but that was with a 'want to work' scheme. i think that's just available here in wales.

 

[Muse2k8]

Yeah with you there. Short of renting a van for jobs though which could be costly I'm not sure what other option would be available.

 

[Mike]

as for some tools, the vitrex 750 you seen in trade tiler is a good cutter for the price, i have had a couple of them. i've read on here several posts that the big clinker (manual cutter) is a good cutter, available from b & q

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

As Mike on the vitrex 750, good machine for the money. I have the dewalt 24000, but that is to expensive for a start up, to be honest my vitrex gets a lot more use than the dewalt, unless I am on a big job, the vitrex will handle most situations. Good luck.

 

[Muse2k8]

Thanks guys

 

[Muse2k8]

Right to update, I have a good collection of tools and bits and bobs which now leaves me £400 towards the rest. Any ideas?

Van wise I don't know if I'll be better hiring one for the first few jobs, finance or HP?

 

[Mike]

what items do you have and what do you need? if you do need to borrow money for a van, borrow as little as possible and i'd prefer a bank loan rather than hire purchase

 

[MSB Tiling]

If your going to buy an oldish van try and check it out as much as you can, get a mechanic if you can. I started up a exactly a year ago, bought a Citroen Berlingo for £1000, i had it 9 months and head gasket blew, in total id spent £3000 on the van and that didnt include getting the head gasket fixed. In the end ive got a new Nissan Primastar but at a cost on finance.

Its a difficult desision, buying a van outright means you obviously dont have any outgoings, which is good for 1st few months until you pick up more work, but it can go wrong at any point.

Although it cost me £3000 in 9 months I couldnt afford a new van when I first started so although its a lot it did work out better for me.

So all i can say is take you time looking for a van, dont rush as i did.

Mark

 

[Muse2k8]

what items do you have and what do you need? if you do need to borrow money for a van, borrow as little as possible and i'd prefer a bank loan rather than hire purchase

Why a bank loan over hp?

Already had plumbing stuff (being a plumber) so spent up £600 on tiling tools! Always made sure I don't buy too cheap but at the same time I don't have the funds to go too expensive. Don't really need anything else tool wise just yet.

Leaves me £400 towards insurances, vehicle and bits. Can get a vauxhall combo for £99 deposit and £100 a month from Peter vardy or a vivaro for £190 a month but that's hp. Monthly payments won't be an issue cos the missus earns well so if it's a quiet start as I've planned I won't struggle.

 

[Mike]

I just prefer a bank loan as the van is then mine. I'd also look at the overall price of the van not just the repayments.

tapatalk on my HTC

 

[Muse2k8]

That's a fair point.

 

[Mike]

i got my used van from van monster, there may be a branch near you, there's 6 months tax and warranty with each van which is handy. i had good after sales service too

 

[Muse2k8]

I'll check them out thanks

 

[Muse2k8]

Cool I'll check them out thanks just spied a Vito for £3,900 with 92k on the clock. It's an 05 plate and seems to be running well but someone has reserved it. Was shown a transit connect but my god it's an ugly van...