New to Tiling, Advice Needed

[tysfoot]

Hi, Im new to tiling, i work as a postman in the morning an i have got a medium sized ad in te yellow pages, im getting a few calls a week but i need advice of when its the right time to do it full time and of course declare myself as self employed. i have done about 6 jobs and im confident i can accumplish most kitchems and bathrooms but i have no funds behind me, The only problem is now though is that i cant get to a job till 2 o clock and im giving excuses all the time, i want to go full time but i need regular work coming in all the time.

What is the best places to advertise, how much to spend on advertsing ????

The big questions, how much can you make as a tiller with regular work coming in when up to speed ?

There are lots of questions but i need some freindly advice who knows the trade

Thanks

 

[brummie tiler]

dont quit your job yet, believe me at some point you will fall on tough times. I would wait at least six months - a year. Try and build up a client base and make as many contacts in other trades as possible. Just get your name out there eg biz cards, adverts in newsagents/local papers, anything to let people know you are around. When i first started i went through the yellow pages and i think i txt nearly every plumber and plasterer in there offering my services. Txting for me proved a cheap and efficient way of advertising myself.
Dont jump in head first just because it seems like you are busy now, you will get quiet times. Dont get me wrong though , work hard and you will earn a good living its not unrealistic to take home between £500 - £1000 per week.
GOOD LUCK

 

[DHTiling]

Self-employment can be well rewarded, with no job being exactly the same, once you have built up confidence and speed. Good self employed tilers could earn between £300 and £400 per day with most business coming through word of mouth and networking with other trades people. Pricing jobs correctly is a fundamental skill.

p.s...have a read here as well http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-training/2302-key-success-tiling.html

 

[Fekin]

I'd wait untill your turning work away for quite a few months when your fully booked up, building up reputation, then it's just going to be drop the day job and hope for the best.

Yellow pages and leaflet posting door to door is a decent combination for advertising, and as has been said, trade contacts.
----

Good self employed tilers could earn between £300 and £400 per day with most business coming through word of mouth and networking with other trades people. Pricing jobs correctly is a fundamental skill.

p.s...have a read here as well http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-training/2302-key-success-tiling.html

Saying £300 - £400 per day, would that have anything to do with subbing out jobs you can't fit in and the sort of commision you'd get from it, or just what someone would be willing to pay Dave ?

 

[Alison]

Hi footy, I have just gone full time, but I would swap your post round for the tiling job, dont get me wrong I enjoy what I am doing, however I think that if you did not have the back up of your day job then things would look different. Why dont you take two weeks off and do tiling for two weeks and see what you think? and remember you dont get holiday pay as a tiler.

 

[tysfoot]

Thats for your replies. Its just hard to do tiling jobs and do my day job, is that how most people start out, is it worth looking for companies that employ tilers and get my experience fro there or like you said try my best to fit my job in and tilling untill i feel the time is right.....


Another question, what do good tilers charge per square metre, i currently charge £17 a metre, is that cheap.

Also should i always include grout and adhesive in my quote price
----
As a tiler do you get lots of commercial work, do you prefer commercial rather than domestic or do you mix the two.

Ive just found this website and its really good, lots of questions and answers.

At this moment in time i need lots of answers so ill be in here quiet a bit.

 

[brummie tiler]

£17 is cheap ish compared to what some guys on here charge. I always include mats in my price that way you can make a little extra and use the materials that you are comfortable with

 

[DHTiling]

i mentioned thats what could be earned each day..but not all days obviously..but a good tiler with a heavy work load can earn very good money.. believe me.. i do it week in week out..its just getting the right contacts and being in the right place at the right time (so to speak)....it takes a while to get established but one bad job to lose it all......

 

[devonmark]

Only you will know when or if the time is right for you to go it alone...I packed in my day job of 20yrs simply because it was costing me money to go into work..Mark.

 

[tysfoot]

About the materials, its says on the tubs adhesive covers upto 15sm but i can only ever get about 7-9sm out of a tub . Is tis correct for you aswell or is it me just using to much...

for example how much would you charge for a bathroom that has 20 square metres including the grout and adhesive, give or take a few quid depending on how hard the job will be

 

[woodie]

Hi matey, when i started out tiling just short of six years ago i went on a short course with norcross adhesives and found myself a job sub-contracting for taylor tiles i have had a good time since its been quiet on occasions but i still enjoy it as for adding grout and adhesive in your price i allways tell them what i prefer to use and i can either pick it up or they can get it either way they pay for it
----
:welcome2: Hi matey, when i started out tiling just short of six years ago i went on a short course with norcross adhesives and found myself a job sub-contracting for taylor tiles i have had a good time since its been quiet on occasions but i still enjoy it as for adding grout and adhesive in your price i allways tell them what i prefer to use and i can either pick it up or they can get it either way they pay for it

 

[tysfoot]

So what advice can you give me for starting out, what pitfalls do i need to avoid etc.

Do i need to register as self employed straight away when i quit my job or can i do it on the side untill the tax catch up with me, only problem is not im in yellow pages and im worried the tax man wants money of me soon.


Also whats better, commercial or domestic, where shall i advertise to get commercial work ?

What certificates or cards do i need to get on site work ?

 

[DHTiling]

you will need a cscs card for site work....heres some links to threads on the forum so give them a read and take it from there... http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-training/4286-cscs-q-builders-tilers-etc.html

http://www.tilersforums.com/professionals-chat-forum/2844-starting-business.html

http://www.tilersforums.com/professionals-chat-forum/2673-how-did-you-get-your-first.html

 

[tysfoot]

i cant access all the treads how do i become an elite member ?

 

[DHTiling]

that will take a while yet...( elite ).......

sorry mate the two bottom ones are in the pro's room.

pm dan and see if he will give you access to the pro's room..

 

[elliesdad224]

look fellas, its obvious that dave and dan and a few others on these forums have been tiling for a long time, you only have to read their answers to questions to know that they know what they are talking about, i am 41 and have been tiling for 20 years, i think i fit into the the same category as them and others like them, if you younger guys think that you cannot earn £250 plus each day in this industry then that is exactly what will happen............YOU WONT!!!, tiling is about being able to talk to your potential customers and convince them that YOU are the person they should use, your image should run from your work clothes through to your van and your paperwork, you should be able to look at a job and know whats involved immediately, guide your customer through what needs doing in order to get them to WANT you to do the work, ok this comes with experience but persevere and you will make it, the next job is as important as the last, i have been vat registered for 10 years now, stop looking at the small picture fellas, the money is out there, go and get it

 

[devonmark]

you should register with the taxman within 3 months of starting to trade, that applies to part or full time..funnily enough the lady i'm doing a kitchen for at the moment is a tax inspector....and she asked if i wanted cash...lol

 

[GazTech]

About the materials, its says on the tubs adhesive covers upto 15sm but i can only ever get about 7-9sm out of a tub . Is tis correct for you aswell or is it me just using to much...

for example how much would you charge for a bathroom that has 20 square metres including the grout and adhesive, give or take a few quid depending on how hard the job will be

wow can you get 30 litre tubs of adhesive...lol....a normal tub only does 5/6 maximum unless mosaics

 

[elliesdad224]

i do a lot of work for taylor tiles woodie, they supply the ford showrooms with the floor tiles, bit expensive mind, 17.50 a metre plus vat, i can get the same tile in hyde park tiles for £12 but it does not have ford retail logo on its edge, nice people at taylors

 

[woodie]

Hello elliesdad224 speak to me! How long you been with taylors(swansea)? I don't work there anymore but im in there pretty often. Mike.

 

[GazLC81]

Try to stick with your job for a while before going tiling full time. As has been said already!

It takes time to build up and have regular work. It also takes time to be earning the sort of money Dave is talking about.

Gaz

 

[sjw450]

ive just started my business this year i was a lorry driver for 3 years because i broke my neck when i was 17 and after doing nothing for a year i just started driving to make fast cash didnt get involved with a trade, and this year i just got sick of it and wanted to make something of myself so i did a tiling course after i quit my 24grand a year drivin job bearing in mind i had no work lined up for tiling, im a bit of a risk taker but u prob gathered that, and now im busy for 5 months, and dave ur right about making good money, the most ive made so far is 960 in 3 days and a morning! since i started tiling i did go through a 3week patch where i had no calls or jobs, probably coz i went to benidorm for 2 weeks right enough but i was worried i did the wrong thing and now its all good! good luck to you! and do wot u feel is right!

 

[billy123]

hi i plaster ames tape fit bathrooms and went and done tiling course in march 07 and i havent stopped since.take the plunge mate you should earn as much as what your earning in your job.i worked in a good paying job for 20 years and now i couldnt be happier.your costing yourself money mate.go for it!!! it aint easy but your always earning.

 

[tops111]

Hello mate.Same position as you but ive been tiling 4 years and in full time job. Yeah im going to jack it in and go fulltime tiling in march(got plenty return customers).Havent had to advertise for 3 years, BUT im leaving maybe because the money MIGHT be good,but because its about being happy in what you do and i enjoy tiling.Been doing 80-90 hour weeks reg for past 2 years and still love it. I know i sounded soft saying that hippy kinda **** but its true mate! you gotta enjoy what you do then the dosh will come.Good luck pal whatever you do!:8:

 

[tiler burden]

Take A Look At The Thread , Finding Work

Tb

 

[derek]

if you have only done 6 jobs then you are nowwhere near the standard of being a professional.youhave to serve at least 4 year training before you consider going out on your own.guys like you are killing the trade!

 

[DHTiling]

Are you a time served tradesman...or are you just adding your opinion..please comment further as to why you think this way derek....

 

[derek]

what kind of prices do you charge a m2

 

[GazTech]

derek answer dh ceramics question if you please sir

 

[Leatherface]

Leatherfaces view - If you are just starting out then set yourself a realistic figure to earn each day after materials - £150 would be a nice start.
As your speed, skill and reputation grows, so will what you can charge and earn
Don't start off to cheap as you will get known as cheap,and also do a disservice to the other tilers out there who are trying to earn a decent living - You know the ones - When you go out to do a quote and the lady says " Well I phoned a guy from the newspaper and he says he will do the job £200 cheaper" Yes and probably £200 crapper. That's probably why he has to advertise in the local newspaper !!!
To the Postman - why not print up your own leaflets and drop them off with your letters ? Kill 2 birds with one stone