Newbie - Pricing confusion...

[Laurie]

After attending the PTS training course in Warrington June-July, I have set up in business, and had about 6 jobs so far. I am really enjoying it, but am not convinced I am getting the pricing right !!

I have been told by loads of people that the going rate in my area is £25 per sqm, so I have been pricing on that basis. However, I prefer to supply the grout and adhesive, and have been doing that as part of the £25 per sqm - i.e £25 per sqm for the actual tiling and the supply ofgrout and adhesive. Should I be charging for grout and adhesive separately and charging £25 per sqm for my actual tiling services ?

Any and all advice much appreciated !!

Laurie

 

[DHTiling]

pricing changes up and down the country......dave....

 

[scrubmuncher]

In my opinion No, your not a southerner well maybe compared to me but £25 p/m would include the mat shere.
Its easy to price yourself out, especially when starting and the mind begins to wonder, 'well if they are paying this, exactly how much could I charge'. I've done it, I think most have tried it on at somepoint, natural. Best to do it when you have lots on and it doesnt matter if you lose the job.
If I go to a job and they look well off and I get that brilliant connection when meeting them, make them laugh, have a good bit banter, cuppa tea and I've got thier confidence then I will on occasion bang an extra £5 on my £p/m.
Its the toughest part of the job, not getting greedy at the wrong times, I'd rather get the job than make an extra £50 and not be sure.

 

[Laurie]

Thanks Scrubmuncher !!
----
Thanks Dave !

Scrubmuncher

In a year or 2, when I have more experience, and working on my own, what is a good average tiling rate on (say) a standard domestic bathroom ? I was told 4-5 sq metres a day is reasonable, but I would have thought I should be faster than that once I have more experience.

Thanks
Laurie

 

[grumpygrouter]

It all depends what you are tiling, and what with. Natural products generally require wet cutting which slows things down considerably. Banging up a 2mx2m square without any cutting wouldn't take long at all. So a bit difficult to quantify.

I was disappointed that my first full bathroom, floor to ceiling 14m2 and a 2.5m2 floor took me about 5 days. I don't think at the moment I could do it much quicker than that. It all depends on the individual and what standard you are happy to put out, I suppose.

Grumpy

 

[scrubmuncher]

Thanks Scrubmuncher !!
----
Thanks Dave !

Scrubmuncher

In a year or 2, when I have more experience, and working on my own, what is a good average tiling rate on (say) a standard domestic bathroom ? I was told 4-5 sq metres a day is reasonable, but I would have thought I should be faster than that once I have more experience.

Thanks
Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Yeh, I reckon once your confident you should be knocking out at least that. I did a small bathroom the other week very simple and lucky cuts, 9mtrs on the walls, window and door and I got pretty much all that done in a day a long day but a day. If the jobs straight forward your laughing, it doesnt take much to put you back though and working alone you can find yourself sitting back and day dreaming for 15mins now and again, thats a mtr right there. From loading the wall with 1mtr of adh to 2-3 makes all the difference. All works well if you can keep to a certain break time and allow yourself a 'no more point'. I know we are self employed and the joys of that are supposed to be to beable to do what and when we want. Dont get in that mindset as I did, you lose loads of time and money.
I could say I went through a year where I lost thousands from arriving late, leaving early and taking time to daydream.

 

[Laurie]

Thanks Scrubmuncher - that is good advice - I have slight daydreaming tendencies !!!

And thanks to Grumpy - you have stopped me kicking myself so much !!

 

[grumpygrouter]

Keep on kicking, Laurie. When you are self employed and working alone, you only have yourself as a judge, no one is watching over you, it is up to you and only you to set your standards.

Most important thing when you are just starting up is to take your time and do it the best you can. Speed comes with practice (they tell me!) but quality is a personal thing. Quality every time for me, and hopefully that gets better with practice too.

You are only just starting out after all. It is easy to get dispondant -been there myself - but keep at it, it gets a little easier every time.

Grumpy

 

[IvegotsTILE]

£25 just for the tiling,materials is seperate mate.

 

[Fekin]

For me it's £20 psqm, or day rate between £110 to £160, depending on job\tiles\prep work required + mats at on or neari'sh trade price at the moment.

 

[IvegotsTILE]

I always only offer 10% off my materials,tell them if they want you'll give them a list of everything they need materials wise then they can go down find the tiles they want,hand in the list you gave them to the guys behind the counter then they know how much it all costs.I always tell them not to mention I'm getting 10% off for them cause I might get into trouble for doing it.My customers have always been really happy with this.