New to Tiling, Advice Needed

[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