Thinking of career change to tiling - HELP!

[cornish]

Hi all

Im working currently in a finance department which is driving me crazy and Ive always wanted to work for myself. Ive read all the posts on tiling courses and obviously youre not going to be a pro after 5 days but with the current economic climate would I be a complete idiot to quit my job, do a 5 day course and start on my own doing simple jobs to begin with and working up as confidence and skill increase. I have enough savings to last 5 months assuming no income. I have worked for a couple of years in the past as a plumbers mate and done a bit of amateur tiling in my time but have no specialist knowledge but I guess you could pick this up as you go?
Ive read a few posts advising trying to get experience with a pro tiler but this seems to be nigh on impossible so I need some advice from people who have taken this route and people who are currently making a living full time with tiling, Thanks everyone

 

[Dan]

Welcome to tilersforums.com | Tile Forums | Tiling Forum!

Hello cornish, welcome aboard www.tilersforums.com. Stick around, I'm sure you'll like the place.

 

[david campbell]

:welcome:to the forum

good luck with your new career choice,just remember you will maybe struggle for the first year or so until you build up a customer base and there may be times when you think it isn't happening but if you put in the effort you will reap the rewards in a satisfying career

 

[cornish]

Hi David

Thanks for the encouragement, can I ask how did you come into tiling and what's your opinion on my plan to do a course and start up?

 

[Dan]

I think it's a wise move. Guys do it every week. Though your 5 months funds that you put to one side may be a little less than you actually need, some it's taken 12 months or more to get even a low steady wage coming in.

Many new businesses don't through the first 12 months (any type of business that is) and if they make profit during their second year, they're doing very well.

It takes time as a new tradesman to build up a reputation and customer-base. But all the tips and tricks for that can be found in the forum somewhere.

Make sure you pick a reputable training centre with lots of INDEPENDENT feedback (not just feedback on their own websites) and go and visit a few, not just one. Then make up your mind.

Have a view of doing your NVQ at some stage, as it's needed on site and might be needed some day for domestics. Either way, it helps sell yourself if you can show you're actually qualified, as one thing you won't have that most do have on here is some experience.

So you're milestones will be something as follows:-

- You'll do your course
- You'll do family and friends jobs to get some personal experience
- You might have your cards in a shop and be passed the odd bit of work
- You'll know a few plumbers or other tradesmen further down the line and will network a bit with them, passing each other work and customers
- You'll have a few customers by now recommending you every now and again
- In year two somewhere, you'll hopefully have some profit by now - and you'd probably have 90% of your tools by now, just a couple of big-cost big-time-savers to get (so replacing smaller cheaper versions of things you've just made do with)
- Start of year three if you're still going you want to get through your NVQ. You may find the construction market has some incentives to start up properly again and you'll be able to find site work with an NVQ for the times that customers aren't calling you directly.

Always keep in touch with your shop that's passing you work. They're your bread and butter and if you haven't got a shop on your side you will be needing to spend a lot more time collecting your own customers. But if you do this, visit the shop WITH the customers and show the shop you're passing them work. A few of these and the shop will recognise they need to keep you happy too.

Good luck.

 

[cornish]

Thanks Dan

Not quite what I wanted to hear - 2 years until earning a liveable wage is a long time but to be honest its what I expected to hear and I appreciate the honesty. I do have a proven plan B for earning an income I could live on with about a third of my capital.

Is my comment re trying to get experience with a pro correct? Or are there any extremely generous pro tilers in South Yorkshire who would like a free labourer?

As I say Ive laboured for plumbers and builders and I can mix a mean bucket of muck. The advantage of my plan B is that its part time, I have to work wednesdays but can be very flexible when I work the rest which would mean I could be available to labour whenever.

 

[Dan]

Thanks Dan

Not quite what I wanted to hear - 2 years until earning a liveable wage is a long time but to be honest its what I expected to hear and I appreciate the honesty. I do have a proven plan B for earning an income I could live on with about a third of my capital.

Is my comment re trying to get experience with a pro correct? Or are there any extremely generous pro tilers in South Yorkshire who would like a free labourer?

As I say Ive laboured for plumbers and builders and I can mix a mean bucket of muck. The advantage of my plan B is that its part time, I have to work wednesdays but can be very flexible when I work the rest which would mean I could be available to labour whenever.

Many do very well. But if you have really high expectations you'll be let down quickly and we'll be seeing your 'all my tools for sale' thread in no time at all.

Though I wish every new tiler the very best, I have to come back down to earth and note that we read of so many threads where tilers are struggling all over the country and even in Ireland. So just make sure you're doing everything you can and you should come out just fine in 12 - 24 months. It's not a quick-buck trade.

Going down the free labour route works well, but as you note, it can take time to find a willing tiler. Although a free labourer sounds good at first glance, it can slow a tiler down on a big job unless you've already done a bit of tiling after your course (which is the time I'd say start asking all the tilers in your area if they'd like a free hand with their jobs).

A part time job might work, it does for some. Though I'm a firm believer in a new business needs 110% of your time to get going quickly and it could hold you back in the long run, but needs must when you need income.

 

[macten]

Hi Cornish.
Well into my 3rd year now and finally making a wage I can live on.
I quit a well paid job/career and did a 4 week course in tiling and plumbing.
Course, van and tools set me back £8k+
I was lucky to have savings that would last me a good couple of years and no mortgage/kids (if that wasn't the case I personally would never have done it)

Year one was friends and family and a HUGE learning curve.
Year two and I was turning out good quality work but with running costs (and diesel)
I'd say I cleared a full £500 profit that for working longer and harder than ever in my life.

Finally in year 3 the work is finally finding me so I very rarely fail to get the job. I tend to do full bathroom refurbs (I personally couldn't make a living from just tiling - I have, of course, sped up now, but I've kind of reached a plateau where if I went any faster then quality would suffer)

I didn't make it particularly easy on myself as I have never advertised and would dearly love to never have to advertise - that was kind of my plan from early on. But after 3 years of hard graft I have a handful of tile shops that pass me customers - though unless they want bathrooms doing I probably only get 1 in 4 of them.
I do however know some very busy plumbers, plasterers and joiners who pass me all their tiling work, and most of the plumbers give me the full bathroom work as they make more installing combi's and servicing. One refurb a month is enough for me to live on but now my speed and knowledge has improved I can do 2 and that pretty much puts me on what I used to be earning.

Remember that in this economic climate you will find yourself against stiff competition and their are people out their that are willing to do the work for next to nothing (most of these are cowboys who have no intention of doing the job right and the customer's will ultimately pay the price) it's your job to explain this to the customer and be very thorough during the site inspection.
On the other hand there are many people like yourself and me 3 years ago who are green off a training course and use the info off this forum to turn out fantastic jobs but be willing to do it for next to nothing to build up their portfolio.

There is no answer to your question as to whether you are mad to quit your job and get into this game. Some will make it but many will fail.
You could be the worst cowboy plumber/tiler and be busy or the best and have no work, it's down to you as an individual as to how you sell yourself.

If you decide to take the plunge then I would suggest you seriously think about a longer course than 5 days to give you the best possible start.

:welcome: and best of luck

 

[Dan]

Hi Cornish.
Well into my 3rd year now and finally making a wage I can live on.
I quit a well paid job/career and did a 4 week course in tiling and plumbing.
Course, van and tools set me back £8k+
I was lucky to have savings that would last me a good couple of years and no mortgage/kids (if that wasn't the case I personally would never have done it)

Year one was friends and family and a HUGE learning curve.
Year two and I was turning out good quality work but with running costs (and diesel)
I'd say I cleared a full £500 profit that for working longer and harder than ever in my life.

Finally in year 3 the work is finally finding me so I very rarely fail to get the job. I tend to do full bathroom refurbs (I personally couldn't make a living from just tiling - I have, of course, sped up now, but I've kind of reached a plateau where if I went any faster then quality would suffer)

I didn't make it particularly easy on myself as I have never advertised and would dearly love to never have to advertise - that was kind of my plan from early on. But after 3 years of hard graft I have a handful of tile shops that pass me customers - though unless they want bathrooms doing I probably only get 1 in 4 of them.
I do however know some very busy plumbers, plasterers and joiners who pass me all their tiling work, and most of the plumbers give me the full bathroom work as they make more installing combi's and servicing. One refurb a month is enough for me to live on but now my speed and knowledge has improved I can do 2 and that pretty much puts me on what I used to be earning.

Remember that in this economic climate you will find yourself against stiff competition and their are people out their that are willing to do the work for next to nothing (most of these are cowboys who have no intention of doing the job right and the customer's will ultimately pay the price) it's your job to explain this to the customer and be very thorough during the site inspection.
On the other hand there are many people like yourself and me 3 years ago who are green off a training course and use the info off this forum to turn out fantastic jobs but be willing to do it for next to nothing to build up their portfolio.

There is no answer to your question as to whether you are mad to quit your job and get into this game. Some will make it but many will fail.
You could be the worst cowboy plumber/tiler and be busy or the best and have no work, it's down to you as an individual as to how you sell yourself.

If you decide to take the plunge then I would suggest you seriously think about a longer course than 5 days to give you the best possible start.

:welcome: and best of luck

Brilliant advice, and right from the horses mouth so to speak!

I too would suggest looking at a longer course than 5 days too, it really will make a difference. Though I'm a firm believer in a good 5 day course will work for some. Especially if you've done some labouring and understand a little about plumbing and building in general.

Though read lots of feedback as I've said, and go visit a couple of training centres and not just the one.

 

[py rookie]

hi there cornish,im in the same boat i think,ive worked with an experianced tiler for bout 1 year but he fled the country,so i had to get a job fast,so im working as a van driver for a electrical wholesaler for 2 years,but i loved tiling,so i printed up a few leaflets and business cards,and i can tile after work and that the weekends.so try and find an experianced tiler and work for him or watch but stick with it cause you will regret it,plus there very helpful on this site

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hello mate:welcome:

 

[faithhealer]

welcome to the forum Cornish, it's been said a hundred times, it's down to the individual. You are fortuate in one way to have no morgage etc but I had the works, morgage, family, bills to pay and no savings. Couldn't afford to fail so I got out there and did it. Sit on your bum and it will never happen. Personally I think cards in tile shops are a waste of time for newbies, takes a while to build up a relationship with staff. Be prepared to do anything to get your foot in the door, I've done all sorts of odd jobs for customers. Appearances count for a lot, pleasant personality a must. Best tip I can give is read this forum every day, I do and still pick something up every day. Good luck.
pm me anytime (when you get your posts up!)

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Welcome to the best tilers forum.

Take some holiday go on your tiling course and enjoy it.

Stay in your finance job and try a build up some jobs/portfolio over the next 12months and see if you can cut it.

The reson you'll find it difficult getting some free training/work experience is its tough out there for the building trades. You will be restricted to the private market for a number of years without qualifications and without the skills for the diverse work the domestic market requires you'll be out of your depth.

We all think the grass is greener etc. but do more homework before you make the change.
Good Luck and enjoy your time here.

 

[suave]

:welcome:

 

[diamondtiling]

Welcome to the forum.