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penno
Thought i would post a thread on some things to help people when starting out in tiling, using my own experience of being self employed for just over a year.
Too many people are starting out in the tiling game thinking you do a 5 day course load up the van and make a mint, doesn't work like that, ignore these tutors telling you it does. They are saying these things to make themselves money.
I myself left the Army just over a year ago and decided to go for it in tiling, did a six week course. I already knew a good deal about the job but wanted as much knowledge as possible. Of course the tutors were giving it "no problem with work when you leave here, don't take less than £125 a day, turning work down there is that much demand." Got a good head on my shoulders so knew it wouldn't be that easy, and by god it isn't.
Been mentioned on these forums but doing small jobs for the family really is a brilliant way to start, that phone will not start ringing the second the course is finished, it is great for experience. I found that when just starting out you need to get your name around so you basically get work. Get out the phone book, phone builders, plumbers, tile shops and anyone else you can think of. 99% of the calls will result in a "sorry mate i have a tiler on my book" but that 1% that takes your name and number and could lead to a hell of a lot of work. Putting your number in the local paper will of course get you calls but it can be very expensive (around £35 a week in my area) however it can at times really pay for itself, other times you are quoting for time wasters. Just be prepared to turn up for a quote and never hear anything from that customer again, do NOT drop your price when they ask you to, your price is your price. Don't get down about not hearing back from a job, average person gets 3-4 quotes. I find that turning up for a job in my work clothes makes a better impression on the customer rather than turning up nice and clean. Even if i finished 3 hours before a quote, the clothes stay on, makes you look busy, in demand. And don't say " i can start tomorrow" even if you can, makes you look crap and not in demand. If they are interested then just ask is it ok if you ring them back later/ tomorrow to sort out a start date as you have a lot on at the moment. A customer will be happy to wait a little if they are confident you will do a good job.
When starting out i found the hardest thing was going out and pricing up a job. Got flustered, rushed measuring up and got quite nervous even though i am a confident person. Learned to take it easy when visiting a house, chat away, be friendly but not waffle too much. Take time to measure but not too look like a total amature.
Giving a price is the biggy, heard many people on here say different things about giving prices, some say on the spot others post a quote. I find that giving a price there and then results in a better chance of getting the work. If you are walking into a kitchen then you should have a figure in mind of the cost, the measuring up is basically to tell the customer how many tiles they need. If it is a more complicated job and may need things such as a floor leveling, tiles removed or boarding out then if you are not confident enough tell the customer you will be in touch within a couple of hours, got to rush got 5 more jobs to look at before you finish
Take a breather and work the job out. ALWAYS look confident.
Tools for the job!
Read tons of posts on here about people asking about what they need tool wise when starting up, most replys are a "medium sized cutter 2-3 trowels etc etc". I couldn't disagree more, you need as many tools as a lad who has been in the busniness for 40 years. It is no good just going out there and buying a ts 50 and a small electric cutter. One job you may need a cutter for 10 x 10s next you are on 600 x 600s. You need cutters for all jobs, you can't turn around to a customer and say you can't do the job because the tiles are too big/ small, you need all the gear (i use rubi).
Basically when starting out you need all the tools, your first call could be laying 600 x 600 granite.
Top tip, when buying expensive tools get 110v. No good paying £500 plus on a cutter when the builder you have got in with asks could you do a little site work.
Bed now, v drunk
Too many people are starting out in the tiling game thinking you do a 5 day course load up the van and make a mint, doesn't work like that, ignore these tutors telling you it does. They are saying these things to make themselves money.
I myself left the Army just over a year ago and decided to go for it in tiling, did a six week course. I already knew a good deal about the job but wanted as much knowledge as possible. Of course the tutors were giving it "no problem with work when you leave here, don't take less than £125 a day, turning work down there is that much demand." Got a good head on my shoulders so knew it wouldn't be that easy, and by god it isn't.
Been mentioned on these forums but doing small jobs for the family really is a brilliant way to start, that phone will not start ringing the second the course is finished, it is great for experience. I found that when just starting out you need to get your name around so you basically get work. Get out the phone book, phone builders, plumbers, tile shops and anyone else you can think of. 99% of the calls will result in a "sorry mate i have a tiler on my book" but that 1% that takes your name and number and could lead to a hell of a lot of work. Putting your number in the local paper will of course get you calls but it can be very expensive (around £35 a week in my area) however it can at times really pay for itself, other times you are quoting for time wasters. Just be prepared to turn up for a quote and never hear anything from that customer again, do NOT drop your price when they ask you to, your price is your price. Don't get down about not hearing back from a job, average person gets 3-4 quotes. I find that turning up for a job in my work clothes makes a better impression on the customer rather than turning up nice and clean. Even if i finished 3 hours before a quote, the clothes stay on, makes you look busy, in demand. And don't say " i can start tomorrow" even if you can, makes you look crap and not in demand. If they are interested then just ask is it ok if you ring them back later/ tomorrow to sort out a start date as you have a lot on at the moment. A customer will be happy to wait a little if they are confident you will do a good job.
When starting out i found the hardest thing was going out and pricing up a job. Got flustered, rushed measuring up and got quite nervous even though i am a confident person. Learned to take it easy when visiting a house, chat away, be friendly but not waffle too much. Take time to measure but not too look like a total amature.
Giving a price is the biggy, heard many people on here say different things about giving prices, some say on the spot others post a quote. I find that giving a price there and then results in a better chance of getting the work. If you are walking into a kitchen then you should have a figure in mind of the cost, the measuring up is basically to tell the customer how many tiles they need. If it is a more complicated job and may need things such as a floor leveling, tiles removed or boarding out then if you are not confident enough tell the customer you will be in touch within a couple of hours, got to rush got 5 more jobs to look at before you finish
Take a breather and work the job out. ALWAYS look confident.Tools for the job!
Read tons of posts on here about people asking about what they need tool wise when starting up, most replys are a "medium sized cutter 2-3 trowels etc etc". I couldn't disagree more, you need as many tools as a lad who has been in the busniness for 40 years. It is no good just going out there and buying a ts 50 and a small electric cutter. One job you may need a cutter for 10 x 10s next you are on 600 x 600s. You need cutters for all jobs, you can't turn around to a customer and say you can't do the job because the tiles are too big/ small, you need all the gear (i use rubi).
Basically when starting out you need all the tools, your first call could be laying 600 x 600 granite.
Top tip, when buying expensive tools get 110v. No good paying £500 plus on a cutter when the builder you have got in with asks could you do a little site work.
Bed now, v drunk
