New career - female tiler, manchester

[doug boardley]

Hi everyone,

Great site. I'm about to emabark on a new career as a tiler following much thought.....

I'd really appreciate any advice on the best course around the north west, I was initially going to take the 4 day course at the diy school in Stockport but now I've heard of a few more options and think that a longer course would be more appropriate me being a complete novice.

Also, how much work is out there with the economic climate being as it is, I realise in one sense it's not a great time to start something new but then things will pick up again at some point.

Thanks again in advance for any thoughts....

welcome to the forums Jooper, and thanks for taking the time to introduce yourselfthe current climate is not really good to be embarking on a tiling career imo but if you go for it and ride through the current downturn, it'll be a good learning curve:hurray: all the best anyway
Doug

 

[user123]

Hi and :welcome:, jooper! I did the NETT course and loved it..still remember everything I was taught, too... good luck!!

 

[obobsmith]

Agree with Doug if you have another job stick with it while your getting up and running. I did the NETT course which was great, but times are really tough I've no choice as I was made redundant and things are really slow for me at moment. Be carefull and good luck.

 

[david campbell]

:welcome:to the forum and all the best with your new career

 

[jooper]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts..

I've run my own business as a mortgage adviser for over 3 years and have seen the bottom fall out of that so I'm used to tough times, tightening my belt etc BUT in your opnions can a living be earned as things stand at the mo, I'm not looking for anything extravagant but if anyone could put a rough figure on what i should expect to earn in my first year i can plan ahead....

Thanks again.

 

[user123]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts..

I've run my own business as a mortgage adviser for over 3 years and have seen the bottom fall out of that so I'm used to tough times, tightening my belt etc BUT in your opnions can a living be earned as things stand at the mo, I'm not looking for anything extravagant but if anyone could put a rough figure on what i should expect to earn in my first year i can plan ahead....

Thanks again.

Oh, my god, jooper...what a question. I don't think it's possible to establish yourself properly, let alone as a novice in a trade in under three years, with the proviso here that you will turn out a natural tiler and really good at what you do. Not knowing anything about you, I don't know how fit and strong you are...how you will cope with lugging boxes of tiles upstairs, be able to keep the workspace clean, handle a paddle mixer, have suitable transport and tools...handle difficult customers with kids and dogs, waiting for plumbers to finish their job....all things that take time and experience to build up, financially, physically, mentally and emotionally, too.
How long or short is a piece of string type question...right now you'll be competing against experienced tilers who know how to quote, how to talk to the other tradesmen/women involved, what's a difficult job and what isn't, how long it is likely to take them, who are used to their tools...in a difficult market.

One year...one year is nothing for all that. Your question really worries me. Depending on any income from an as yet largely unknown to you trade inthe first year, don't go there, it's not realistic. Do the tiling course and practise wherever you can... the rest, and your determination, ability, tenacity and eventual success will show itself.

 

[faithhealer]

Oh, my god, jooper...what a question. I don't think it's possible to establish yourself properly, let alone as a novice in a trade in under three years, with the proviso here that you will turn out a natural tiler and really good at what you do. Not knowing anything about you, I don't know how fit and strong you are...how you will cope with lugging boxes of tiles upstairs, be able to keep the workspace clean, handle a paddle mixer, have suitable transport and tools...handle difficult customers with kids and dogs, waiting for plumbers to finish their job....all things that take time and experience to build up, financially, physically, mentally and emotionally, too.
How long or short is a piece of string type question...right now you'll be competing against experienced tilers who know how to quote, how to talk to the other tradesmen/women involved, what's a difficult job and what isn't, how long it is likely to take them, who are used to their tools...in a difficult market.

One year...one year is nothing for all that. Your question really worries me. Depending on any income from an as yet largely unknown to you trade inthe first year, don't go there, it's not realistic. Do the tiling course and practise wherever you can... the rest, and your determination, ability, tenacity and eventual success will show itself.

That's what I would have said but with a few hundred less words lol nicely put Gisella

 

[jooper]

Mosaic Girl,

Thanks for your thoughts, lots of valid points which I completely take onboard. The only boxes I can tick are with regards to being relatively fit & strong and generally capable, I've done a small amount of tiling at home, I'm very handy, artisitc & have an eye for detail so feel confident that I should be competent at this when i give it my all.

I realise it's extremely difficult to put a figure to my question but I'm really just after something 'ballpark' as the figures quoted by the course tutors I've spoken to so far seem wildy exaggerated to me. Literally, could I earn £5k, £10k or more, that's all I'm asking so I can make provisions?

 

[poynton phil]

Hi jooper, its my 3rd year in business now, year 1 was hit and miss, year 2 i had more work than i could cope with, this year i am just keeping my head above water, but things are picking up for me at the moment though, but it is still week to week.

 

[bassman]

:welcome: To the Forum :guitarist: All the best