site work

[brendanbreeze]

Hello all,

Just looking for a bit of advice about working on site. I am very new to tiling having recently completed a 4 week intensive course. I've done one job since then (hallway,toilet,kitchen and conservatory) so am short on speed and experience.

I was hoping to find more work within the domestic market but I've been struggling. So I've been spending my days trawling the internet job sites and there seems to be an ever increasing amount of firms looking for tradesmen for site work, including tilers. My problem is they all require 'experience'. I have plenty of general site knowledge (CSCS holder) from my previous job. So was wondering if I could apply for the work and just see how I got on, or would I be kicked off by the end of the first day. I guess I'm just looking for a few do's and don'ts about site work. Also maybe if there's anyone in the west London area (I'm in Putney) who wants a free hand for a couple of weeks so I can get a proper idea please get in touch. sorry if I've rattled on a bit but I do seem to have a lot of time on my hands at the moment. Cheers all. Brendan.

 

[incetilingltd]

Hello mate are you looking to work for someone or to tender to get your Tiling work?

 

[brendanbreeze]

I think I'd like to work for someone for a bit to get some experience. But I have been out advertising so bring in some work too.

 

[brendanbreeze]

Meant to write So 'may' bring in some work too.

 

[incetilingltd]

It's fairly hard to get work at the moment but i'm a firm believer that if you put all your efforts into it! Something will crop up, i have been trying to get my company on more tender list lately and simply been cold calling companies asking for information where to send the Introduction letter.

If you haven't got any business cards it would be a good idea to get some

Also i have found working on site i would employ someone with hardly any experiance as long as they could do the work competently and was willing and safe.

If your not as quick as the other tilers it shouldn't be a problem as long as your on price work and you can make up the extra hours to fill the quota.

And if you remember safety at all times and your work is upto standard and always check first. ie, setting out points and trims you should be fine.

 

[brendanbreeze]

Thanks for the advice,

I've got a load of business cards and have hand delivered about 1500 leaflets (and another 3500 still to go) aswell as advertising in the local paper and on internet sites,and I done one quote on tuesday so hopefully something will come in.

Just wondering when on site do you usually work from drawings or are you shown exactlly what is required by someone. I guess I'm just worried about turning up on site and just been told to get on with it, as if I should already know.

 

[stevee]

hiya bud ,ive been a groundworker for over 20 years, some of the tiling ive seen on houses aint brilliant, so dont worry too much about your capabilitys

if u get your foot in the door ,afteer a couple of weeks youll wonder what you were worried about,cheers and good luck mate,steve

 

[brendanbreeze]

Nice one,

Cheers Steve, I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a go.

 

[incetilingltd]

in many cases of site work if your working on flats the bathrooms and en-suit's are almost the same dimensions and are either the same or mirrored so if i was to turn up on site i would firstly get all the induction and introductions out the way the make sure i have the same tiles then would ask anoter tiler on site to go though it with me, if i was left to get on with it i would always make sure i have th right tiles then ask for a drawing then have a quick wonder around and find a bathroom allready tiled the same as drawing and use that to get all seting out points and and relevent cuts. and then go from there.

I think it would be highly unlikely to get thrown in the deep end as it's your employers reputation on the line aswell.

with regard to pricing up any jobs you get in please feel free to pm me and i can help you go though it. If you like the next one i get in i can send on as experiance and you can see what it's all about (sorry if this sounds a bit patronising) but would have appreciated the help when i was starting.

 

[brendanbreeze]

Thanks very much, That's a great help. if you could let me have your e mail address ( or can we PM on here, not sure) My contact details are - Brendan McGahan, e mail - [email protected]. Tel 0208 7857856 mob 07504 489518

Many thanks again that'll all come in very handy.

 

[incetilingltd]

ok mate i get in touch soon

 

[brendanbreeze]

Sorry to keep going on but here's a question.

Ok, there's an ad saying experienced tilers required for immediated start on various commercial and domestic central london sites. nust have CSCS and CIS (self employed right??) upto £14 ph

So, I reply telling them I can start immediately...So at what point do we discuss/arrange wages & payment, i.e how much do I get and when? and will they require bank details or ie it usually cheque? Is all this done before hand or on your first day? Sorry if I sound really green but I've never had to consider these things before.

Brendan.

 

[incetilingltd]

I would firstly ask questions about the site and the work and then let them know your situation explaining that this is the first site tiling job you have. i would may be over exagerate how much domestic work was done previously and then ask about how they want to be invoiced weekly, every 2 weeks or monthly (let them know whats good for you aswell) and if something doesn't seem right don't go with it. All done previously over the phone if prefeered.

 

[RockCeramics]

at first (self employed right??) yes
So at what point do we discuss/arrange wages & payment. usually before you start some companies will need your CSCS card details,( as it states experienced tiler they might expect a gold card Advanced Craft/Supervisory. utr number / cis card, N.I number,and any other details.
In some areas you should get paid weekly, ( It all depends on the type of contract if you are working through a company i usually have to invoice after job completed then allow a 30 day period before payment. some contracts can take upto 90 days after job completed . so ask first.

 

[brendanbreeze]

Cheers for the advice,

It all seems a little clearer now. I was thinking along the same lines as saying I've been doing domestic stuff for the last 6 months - year. Thanks again. Brendan

P.s - Don't suppose either of you are looking to take someone on (sorry had to ask)