Oh God.....Typical, Please Read.

[Paul Sh]

Oh God I dont believe it, was in a local plumbing center today dishing out my cards and a plumber stopped me and asked if i would tile his bathroom, great i thought, then came what i consider as the bombshell, 300x300 Limestone on the walls,.

For my first job i feel a little out of my depth made worse by the fact he wants them tiled on top of tiles (dont worry i explained the weight issues) and told him they need to come off. The problem i have with this job is down to the fact that i aint done the natural stone course yet and i am aware of how expensive the tiles were to buy, i really dont have the confidence to do this job and feel i need to pass this job on to someone else. I dont want to ring him and tell him im not experienced enough to do the job and i also dont want to ruin his expensive tiles and any confidence i have at the moment. I really cant believe it, here am I itching to get some work and this comes up as my first job, nothing like getting thrown in at the deep end is there. Anyway, what do you guys reckon, Oh and BTW the job is in the Sunnyside area (North East) if i were to pass it on.:icon9:

 

[DevonR]

Paul, I got the following from a search on the forum mate and it is exactly what you need for this job.

http://www.tilersforums.com/tile-cleaning-restoration/989-bit-help.html?highlight=limestone

As long as you follow the advice in the thread you'll do alright. i as like this when I did my stone floor a few weeks back but it all went well.
Sunniside is just 5 minutes from me so make sure you pop in for a cuppa when your done mate.

Just think of the moola.

 

[guy1976]

wheres sunnyside?

 

[DevonR]

Sunnside is up Lobley Hill keep going past the Ravensdene Lodge pub, up the windy bank and ta da, Sunniside.

 

[wivers]

Mate ..... i know how u feel .
My secondjob was Slate and it ended up being a disaster. I managed to blag the customer and tell them thats how its meant to look, but i was piised off personally for fukin it.

You need the work and the good rep so my advice is, don't turn it down! Phone another tiler in your area ( if u don't know 1 already) and ask them to take the job on with you.
Pay them what the ask for the jon (within reason). That way 1. you get the job and the job's/rep that comes from it, 2. you learn from the other tiler how to set out, lay, etc and you will have more confidence doing the next one.

Just my opinion m8.
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By pay them i mean go halfs.

 

[guy1976]

i know where it is now:wink_smile: gatesheed if your not confident and think you may *** it up phone customer up and say a big contract of a few months work you have been waiting for has just come to start (its better than the possibility of fuking someones tiles and having them chase you for compensation)

 

[Paul Sh]

Paul, I got the following from a search on the forum mate and it is exactly what you need for this job.

http://www.tilersforums.com/tile-cleaning-restoration/989-bit-help.html?highlight=limestone

As long as you follow the advice in the thread you'll do alright. i as like this when I did my stone floor a few weeks back but it all went well.
Sunniside is just 5 minutes from me so make sure you pop in for a cuppa when your done mate.

Just think of the moola.

Thanks for that Dev really appreciate that.

Mate ..... i know how u feel .
My secondjob was Slate and it ended up being a disaster. I managed to blag the customer and tell them thats how its meant to look, but i was piised off personally for fukin it.

You need the work and the good rep so my advice is, don't turn it down! Phone another tiler in your area ( if u don't know 1 already) and ask them to take the job on with you.
Pay them what the ask for the jon (within reason). That way 1. you get the job and the job's/rep that comes from it, 2. you learn from the other tiler how to set out, lay, etc and you will have more confidence doing the next one.

Just my opinion m8.
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By pay them i mean go halfs.

Never thought of that TBH, A very sensible option. Is there anyone on here up for it, if so let me know.

 

[guy1976]

sorry rammed at mo and for some reason the plumbers i meet never want to pay the going rate ,like those feckers would work for £80 a day

 

[DevonR]

Paul mate do you really think this is above you?
As long as your carefull read the thread i posted for you and just take care and work clean you should be fine. I know you are a bit cautious but you have bought your van and done everything right so far and to have to pass on your first job seems such a shame, especially as it will pay very nicely too.
When does the guy want the work done, can you not put it back until you do the natural stone course? Did you train with NETT? If so can Darren not do anything to maybe help with the training and changing dates possibly?

 

[Varley]

Paul did you train at North East Tile Training, I assume you did, I'm sure if you gave Darren a bell and explained the situation he would either take you to one side and give you some pointers to get you through this particular job or try and fit you in the Natural Stone course a little earlier.

Anyway, just in case i shall try and put your mind at ease.

Natural stone tiling isn't that much different from ceramic or porcelain tiling (unpolished) with the following exceptions.

1. The weight ratio of the wall needs to be taken into consideration (which you already seem aware of).
2. The tiles require sealing.
3. All need to be wet cut.
4. You need diamond hole cutters to cut any holes in the tiles.
5. Flexi cement adhesive and grout must be used.
6. Remove sanitary ware as you will struggle to cut profiles in Natural Stone

These are the BASIC differences of tiling Natural Stone, now it would be good to know the size and thickness of the limestone tiles to say wether you could tile onto plaster render or wether the walls will need to be dot and dabbed. As for sealing them, use Lithofin Stain Stop, apply 2 or 3 times and leave for a few hours before grouting. After grouting go back the next day and seal again. Make sure the tiles are spottless before sealing or you will seal the dirt in. Hope this helps ease your mind a bit, If still in doubt give Darren a bell, i'm sure he'll see you good. :wink_smile:

 

[DevonR]

You won't even need to remove sanitary wear as the guys a plumber he can whip them out for you.......does that just sound wrong?

 

[guy1976]

paul is this your first job or have you done a lot and just started self employment ? if you *** the job it might knock your confidence and take you a lot longer than you first thought but if your confident just do it your gonna get a job like this someday anyway so why not now

 

[Paul Sh]

Paul mate do you really think this is above you?
As long as your carefull read the thread i posted for you and just take care and work clean you should be fine. I know you are a bit cautious but you have bought your van and done everything right so far and to have to pass on your first job seems such a shame, especially as it will pay very nicely too.
When does the guy want the work done, can you not put it back until you do the natural stone course? Did you train with NETT? If so can Darren not do anything to maybe help with the training and changing dates possibly?

I don't really think it is above me as generally when i do things i do them very very well (blowing my own trumpet here lol) having said that we all make mistakes and i think mistakes are more likely to be made while still in the learning phase, there is just something telling me to walk before i can run sort of speak as the costs involved with regards to the tiles is pretty high.

The guy wants it done ASAP, or so he says, i'm supposed to be viewing the job this Tuesday.

Yes i did my training at NETT, but i have to say Darren is a good judge of character as while i was on the the course he told me i worry too much, How True.

The funny thing is that if i did the job and come out smelling of roses i would be on cloud nine and what a confidence boost that would be, i have the weekend at least to think it over so will let you know my decision, Thanks for the advice and support.:confused_smile:

 

[Varley]

You won't even need to remove sanitary wear as the guys a plumber he can whip them out for you.......does that just sound wrong?

LMAO...good point dev
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Good luck whatever you decide Paul

 

[Paul Sh]

LMAO...good point dev
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Good luck whatever you decide Paul

Thanks Varley the info youv'e given is a great help, will let you all know what i decide over the next couple of days.