Question

[mz30]

For me a tiler tiles,can i plaster yes(probably better than most spreads, i carry a straight edge), can i do basic plumbing yes,do i wanna do it no.
Regardless of being able to do things i wanna walk on to a job and put tiles on a wall and not get involved in any other trade,and to be honest its never cost me money being that way .

 

[kendo1]

I think it all stems from playing with Meccano as a child.

 

[Pro-spec]

I think it all stems from playing with Meccano as a child.

Ive just started collecting vintage meccano

 

[John Benton]

I think it all stems from playing with Meccano as a child.

Lego for me and Airfix modelling, very good grounding....haha

 

[Muse2k8]

I just love putting things together and creating something great. If it means I get to create the bathroom then I do hence why I learnt both trades. You can do 2 trades but I agree that more than 2 your diluting your skill set.

As for plumbers who can't tile then yeah they exist, just like tilers who can't plumb... Or tile. We don't need to make it a generalisation or stereotype. I can do many things well in my life, there's no reason to only pick one and do just that one. If I'm not plumbing or tiling I do handyman jobs, I can paint models and get £2k a week if I need it but I enjoy diversifying my life and you know what... I'm a happy chappy

 

[kendo1]

Ive just started collecting vintage meccano

That's what I used to play with, I didn't say how long ago it was.

 

[Pro-spec]

That's what I used to play with, I didn't say how long ago it was.

Haha very good

 

[widler]

ive been plastering/tiling since i left school in 86,on the side of the van it said 'plasterers&tilers' just as its says on my vans now.a lot of plasterers tiled as well,may be just in this area.

i now mainly tile and have a couple of lads who do the plastering,i love tiling,blinking hate plastering,but being skilled in plastering,which takes skill if done right,has helped me be patient with tiling.
the job i did last week,for a lady and her son,which i thought it was going to be a nightmare customer told me at the end that i was a true craftsman.
and i always have repeat work,so its not a bad thing to have 2 trades as such,but 2 what meld with each other,i don't do anything else,just what i know and so well

 

[kendo1]

My plastering attempts are like Edinburgh's roads. And just as timely as the trams...

 

[Tony73]

hhmm intresting, i went to college for 3 years to become plasterer, tiler, painter/decorator

 

[Muse2k8]

My plastering attempts are like Edinburgh's roads. And just as timely as the trams...

Ah don't start lol

 

[The hammer]

I went to college for 3 years to become a tiler. 28 years on and i,m sitting on my backside at home cos every Tom Dick & Harry is a "Tiler" now and i cant get any work, but i'm not bitter

 

[Tony73]

mabe i'm just lucky, but longest break i have, when i go hollydays for 2 weeks

 

[kendo1]

I went to college for 3 years to become a tiler. 28 years on and i,m sitting on my backside at home cos every Tom Dick & Harry is a "Tiler" now and i cant get any work, but i'm not bitter

Then I suggest you get off your backside and look for work, show everyone how to do it properly.

I'm not bitter. I've just had an email to say a job is not going ahead, but I had another one up my sleeve that starts on Wednesday.

 

[kendo1]

mabe i'm just lucky, but longest break i have, when i go hollydays for 2 weeks

Lucky so and so. It's been five years since my last holiday. But that's my choice, my kids will be better off than I am.

 

[Tony73]

kendo1, so well done. i work long hours etc. same- for my kids. better too much work , then no work

 

[Polishtradesman]

I know lot of tilers which actually do not to even tiling well and know lots of plumbers who do really good tiling. If someone is skilled person it is nothing strange with it becouse buliding trades are easy for people who got "natural born technical skills"

 

[Muse2k8]

I know lot of tilers which actually do not to even tiling well and know lots of plumbers who do really good tiling. If someone is skilled person it is nothing strange with it becouse buliding trades are easy for people who got "natural born technical skills"

Exactly

I know an old guy in Edinburgh who started out as a spark and now can plumb, tile, plaster... You name it and guess what... He's brilliant at it all too.

Not that I'm jealous lol.