Trained at Able Skills

[captaintile]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to Tilers Forum so I hope that I'm writing this in the right place and that someone out there can help me...

I was let go from Ford's a week ago so decided to change careers and become a Tiler. I signed up for a 4 week intensive Tiling course (I've just completed week 1) at Able Skills in Dartford (I live in Essex) as I'd read some great reviews and they're an approved City & Guilds training centre.

Now, as of the 1st May I am unsure what route to take... Would you recommend that I work with a more experienced Tiler for a while? If so, how long? Do you think I'd even be able to find work as an assistant with someone?

OR

I'm getting all my tools but should I get a van and try finding work for myself? Can anyone recommend the best way to go about it, i.e. advertising, etc?

I'm 30yrs old, have a mortgage and wife to support so I'm very reliable and hard working and willing to do pretty much anything to get myself started so if anyone can help me, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome to tilers forums.......thanks for the feedback....


Good luck on your new venture..

 

[frankenfurter]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to Tilers Forum so I hope that I'm writing this in the right place and that someone out there can help me...
I was let go from Ford's a week ago so decided to change careers and become a Tiler. I signed up for a 4 week intensive Tiling course (I've just completed week 1) at Able Skills in Dartford (I live in Essex) as I'd read some great reviews and they're an approved City & Guilds training centre.
Now, as of the 1st May I am unsure what route to take... Would you recommend that I work with a more experienced Tiler for a while? If so, how long? Do you think I'd even be able to find work as an assistant with someone?
OR
I'm getting all my tools but should I get a van and try finding work for myself? Can anyone recommend the best way to go about it, i.e. advertising, etc?
I'm 30yrs old, have a mortgage and wife to support so I'm very reliable and hard working and willing to do pretty much anything to get myself started so if anyone can help me, please let me know. Thanks!

For me personally, I'd say work with an 'good' experienced tiler or more than one if you want a serious career and work for yourself. Courses are an excellent start, but experience is invaluable. The more hands on you get, the more confident you will become.
All the best, Frank.

 

[captaintile]

Thanks for your help. Any ideas how I find work with other Tilers in Essex? Shall I just go through the Yellow Pages or are their specific Tiling Sites?

 

[Uheat]

:welcome:hi and welcome to the forums:welcome:

 

[Alpha Omega]

Hi Dude,
I'm new here myself,
My first post will follow very soon.

Advice - This has worked for me,

Drop a card through every Plumber, Kitchen fitter, Building Maintenance etc's door you can find

Most important, no matter how long it takes, Do a first class job !

I did a full bathroom as my first job, it took me 6 days incl prep of 1 day,
I was absolutly F*****, I had aches in places, I didn't even know I had places,
The outcome, they were very happy with the work and I was asked to price the kitchen, and got that as well !!
If you do a good job, you don't need to work cheap.

When you get time advertise, look at all the local rags, talk to other tradesmen, pick your customer base and get your name out there, Blag when you have to , "been tiling 10 years" etc

:8:

 

[faithhealer]

Well Captain Tile, I understand your situation. Don't bank on just tiling straight away. Never hear much of companies taking on newbies I'm afraid. I agree with Alpha Omega re - trademen, definitely best source of contact. Don't phone them (nobody likes being interrupted whilst working) so drive round the streets, find a van and say you are looking for a plaster / joiner / sparky and have they a card and offer yours in exchange. Make friends, smile a lot and talk irrelevant rubbish to strangers. If one of the above tradesmen needs a labourer, do it, if the old dear down the road need a washing line up, do it. Never sit on your bum but I don't think you sound the type. Skip buying a van unless you can't use your car, you want your overheads as low as poss. Good Luck mate

 

[Olz]

Welcome to TF :smilewinkgrin: