Question

[Jim Stradwick]

Why is plumbing and tiling together, I noticed slot of guys do both as a business.
Is it because there's not enough tile work?
Just wondering .....

 

[White Room]

I find one plumber I do work for will do the tiling if he has'nt got a lot of work on even though he'll get me to do the plastering and tiling when he's busy...

 

[Ian]

Moved from guest area to tiling forum.

 

[White Room]

Moved from guest area to tiling forum.

Good to see your on the ball Bri

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi Jim, in my book tiling is done by tilers. A very old and noble trade.imo.

 

[DHTiling]

Agree with Phil... but to answer your question, then yes , some do both trades.

 

[Jim Stradwick]

Thanks for the reply guys, I agree with Phil and Dave

 

[hillhead]

I tile only now, i have plenty of knowledge in the timber trade and still have people ask me to build sheds, dovecotes and dog/cat kennels.lol

 

[Mike]

i don't know any plumbers that tile but i know plenty of builders that do :mad2:

 

[steveb]

i do both when needed, but i'm a plumber mainly. mod on the plumbers forum.

 

[kendo1]

I'm a plumber who tiles...

The oldest trade , been around for 4000 years. In fact the same time as plumbing. How weird.

 

[Muse2k8]

It goes hand in hand in a way. Especially for bathrooms, wet rooms and so on. I do both.

 

[Rich]

I have nothing to do with plumbing for the same reason that i have nothing to do with electrics, plastering, kitchen fitting or veterinary practises... Im a tiler :smilewinkgrin:

 

[The hammer]

To answer your question its probably to earn themselves more money, also there is a serious lack of work just now, i have been asked to do some painting for a client.
I dont know any plumbers that do tiling but i know 2 tilers that do plumbing.
I am old school tradesman its horses for courses i am a tiler and thats it, when i done my apprenticeship in the early 80's we had to render walls and screed floors, i done a fair bit of screeding over the years but very little rendering they are both trades in their own rights.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

A lot of guys have, over the years, diversified in their abilities and proceeded to learn other trades. In some cases this will help them win business because the customer will only have to pay one individual to come in and rip out their kitchen for example, and put it back together complete with new plumbing, underfloor heating, tiling, electrics, the appliances and units etc. Businesses diversify in order to survive - not putting all of their eggs in one basket so to speak. But then on the other hand, you can find yourself being labelled a "Jack of all trades, master of none".

 

[kendo1]

The answer is to know your limitations.
By diversifying I have kept myself in employment and now have a good customer base for quiet times.
I need to uphold my reputation, so I won't tackle anything I know I can't finish to a professional standard.

 

[Rich]

Couldnt agree more with the above ^

 

[John Benton]

The answer is to know your limitations.
By diversifying I have kept myself in employment and now have a good customer base for quiet times.
I need to uphold my reputation, so I won't tackle anything I know I can't finish to a professional standard.

I have had to diversify in the past and it has led to much bigger jobs. eg. Got a call from a lady regarding fitting a dishwasher door on a replacement integrated appliance as the plumber couldn't fit it. Ended up doing that job and getting an full en-suite to do for her and her neighbour. I have a few guys who I work with and like Kendo says if I can't finish to a professional standard I call in the guys who I trust can.

 

[swanman]

Plumbers cant tile end of story

Leave the tiling to the tiler please we are short on work as it is

Sorry if ive upset any one

Cheers

 

[kendo1]

Thanks, John.
I started as a kitchen fitter which requires a fair few skills and accuracy. Like tiling, you learn about walls and load bearing, you accomodate imperfections in the walls' straightness and plumb, rises and falls in floor level. The plumbing side was easy and I moved on to bathroom fitting(where you learn about correct waste management and water pressure), which inevitably led on to small tiling jobs and then larger and more complex installations. Natural stone was the next progression- with all that entails. It is also very enjoyable.
I've managed to get two kids through private school from the age of three to eighteen (only one now that my son has left school-only one year to go!) £1700 a month is a big commitment and requires a constant income, hence the diversification. If I need to put up fencing and do some decorating along the way, well so be it.

Ken

 

[swanman]

Well said kendol 1

 

[lukeb]

agree.....

It goes hand in hand in a way. Especially for bathrooms, wet rooms and so on. I do both.

 

[kendo1]

Travertine 600 x 300 on walls, riven slate floor. The unit is custom made, I just fitted it.
Wall hung toilet and there's a huge shower head just off pic above the bath.

 

[lukeb]

but do not touch plumbing

agree.....

 

[Pro-spec]

Id call myself a plasterer and tiler as ive done both hand in hand for over 10 years, I have an nvq2 in plastering and plumbing altho i do not call myself a plumber as i rarely do any, Last week i offered to remove wall paper for a customer before plastering as i knew this would sway the job into my favour. because i removed the paper i don't call myself a painter and decorator.
The point is you can call yourself anything you want but it don't mean you are it!