newbie- advice please!

[micko76]

i have been thinking long and hard about changing careers and doing tiling. I work damn hard in my current job but just don't get the rewards I am due, plus the job is as boring as hell ! I am going to do the 4 week PTS course in Warrington, however it will mean quitting my job. Would it be wise to tout myself around to local tilers before I complete the course? or should I go it alone, which is what I intend to do in the long run. I have a mortgage so this is a BIG decision for me! cheers

 

[enduro]

Hi mate, i would not pack your job in straight away, do the course and start doing friends, relatives tiling first, you might not enjoy it. Work want come easy so do your homework, check out the other tilers in your area, and there prices, decide how your going to advertise, it will be a struggle for the first year, it was for me, ive been tiling for 2 years and im really busy. Good luck hope it goes well.

 

[tiler tom]

I also did the course at warrington and it points you in the right direction. Like enduro said do not pack the job in i found the 2 week course to be sufficient and if you want you can always go back to do the other 2. Beleive me go out and do friends and family first as there is a big difference in slapping some tiles on a makeshift bathroom and going out to a proper bathroom that has a sink , toilet, bath and radiator not forgetting the door. Also remember the grout line has to match where you started as well as the setti8ng out so you dont have small cuts. A friend cant ask for their money back if you aint charged them anything.

 

[micko76]

cheers lads, the only problem is that I have no holiday time left and cannot take off 2 or 4 weeks. I was wondering if trying to get work with established tilers would be the way to go? If i were to send out letters/phone local tilers before i go on the course and if i get favourable replies then go and do the course. I could work for a local tiler and try and build up part time work on my own once I have built up my experience and eventually go self employed in a year or so.

 

[enduro]

only thing is mate a local tiler probably wouldn't want to take you on part time, to train you up and for you to set up in competition against him. The course you want to do, ask them if they do weekend courses or is there anybody else on here who does weekend courses.

 

[micko76]

yeah i know, i am in belfast and there is nothing at all over here. i may have to survive of my savings! i reckon i have enough to cover me for around 6 months, thats if i got no jobs at all, after 6 months I should know if tiling is a career for me or not! decisions decisions

 

[devonmark]

cheers lads, the only problem is that I have no holiday time left and cannot take off 2 or 4 weeks. I was wondering if trying to get work with established tilers would be the way to go? If i were to send out letters/phone local tilers before i go on the course and if i get favourable replies then go and do the course. I could work for a local tiler and try and build up part time work on my own once I have built up my experience and eventually go self employed in a year or so.

if it is possible..hit the sick for the duration of the course, i'm sure you could blag your doctor with somethin

 

[enduro]

It wont be easy, its bloody hard work but its worth it in the end, you need to get in with some builders and plumbers, for regular work, do a good job, be polite, and look respectable. respect there home, when you turn up to look at work take your shoes of when you enter there home, use plenty of dust sheets, stairs etc when working, all these little things the punters love.

 

[micko76]

a couple of my mates are builders and developers, i also know plumber. I am determined to do this, I just have to choose the correct course for me.

 

[enduro]

I did a two week course, i found that was enough to get me started, i could work seven days a week now if i wanted. you will get pissed off with it when the phone dosent ring but stick at it, get yourself a part time job to help out when you first start, try a saturday job at a tile shop!!!! could turn that to your advantage.

 

[Dave-T]

tilings a good career. Being a finishing trade, its very rewarding at times, (but also VERY frustrating at times), As long as you have a creative mind, and plenty of patience you'll be fine. One option to bear in mind, is to work on the books with a tile retailer if they employ theyre own tilers. Granted you earn less in wages than you would self employed, but your normally provided with a van, all your tools, and a steady supply of work. Also the piece of mind in knowing that even if you stuff up a job, you'll still get paid at the end of the week.
Tools, Van, Tax, Insurance, Advertising, etc all add up.
I worked for years for a retailer, and would never go back self employed.

 

[alberttrotter1]

Micko76,
I did the 4 week course with PTS in Harlow, Essex and found that due to work commitments i needed to split the course. i had a 2 week gap, but there were guys there that had a lot longer. Give them a ring, i know your paying a lot of money but it works out slightly cheaper to go for the full 4 weeks and to split it, than book 2 weeks then add the other 2 late on.
Best of luck.
Albert

 

[micko76]

i like the idea of working for someone for a while with the view to going solo eventually. cheers for all the advice lads. I am going to start checking out local tileing firms and see if they are willing to take on a newbie!

 

[steg90]

Hi Micko76,
I'm from your neck of the woods and I did the NETT 4-day cermaic and 1-day natural stone tiling course, why not give that a go? I was so impressed with it, you learn so much and leave with so much confidence, I can't recommend anything else!

Steve

 

[steg90]

BTW - You don't have to work for somebody, go for it all alone!! Best to be thrown in the deep end, that is what I think.

Steve