what training method would you recommend?

[hetty]

Hi to all - came across this forum whilst searching for tiling courses in my area - has anybody here used the Step to training tiling course in Cirencester? The cost is not mentioned on their website at all. Have come to wanting to learn about tiling in a round-about way.
Story goes like this...I make collages as a hobby, a mixture of acrylics on canvas mainly with textiles, glitter, mirror bits, well anything really. Went to a gallery in Ciren and saw some stunning mosaic artwork and have enrolled on a weekend course which is tomorrow. Meantime have bought several books on mosaic and pebble art, have visited tile shops and am so hooked I want to learn how to tile properly. Would also like to learn how to lay concrete outside. As I too have to work at my regular job could anyone recommend the best way to learn these skills -by intensive course or by working with an experienced tiler? I want to know how to do it properly.
Many thanks

 

[DHTiling]

hello hetty and welcome to forums..........

 

[GazTech]

welcome to the forums

 

[Simon.]

Hi to all - came across this forum whilst searching for tiling courses in my area - has anybody here used the Step to training tiling course in Cirencester? The cost is not mentioned on their website at all. Have come to wanting to learn about tiling in a round-about way.
Story goes like this...I make collages as a hobby, a mixture of acrylics on canvas mainly with textiles, glitter, mirror bits, well anything really. Went to a gallery in Ciren and saw some stunning mosaic artwork and have enrolled on a weekend course which is tomorrow. Meantime have bought several books on mosaic and pebble art, have visited tile shops and am so hooked I want to learn how to tile properly. Would also like to learn how to lay concrete outside. As I too have to work at my regular job could anyone recommend the best way to learn these skills -by intensive course or by working with an experienced tiler? I want to know how to do it properly.
Many thanks

Welcome hetty! I currently work full time and would like to tile in the near future. I was thinking about doing a lengthy tiling course but now I'm having second thoughts about the course (at first anyway). To tile PROPERLY you need to remove as many fittings as possible (washbasin, taps, toilet, cistern etc.) First and foremost I'm thinking more along the line of spending the money on a plumbing course and doing free tiling for friends and family at the same time to get the experience.

 

[hetty]

That sounds like it would work out better that way - I have a mate who went back to plumbing after working many years unhappily, in a high status post, with the local council - he is snowed under with work and has never been happier. From what I understand these intensive courses are expensive and who wants to get into that sort of debt? I'm not into earning a huge wage - I want to basically earn a higher rate per hour so I can work less hours overall - quality time for me and the family but balanced with earning enough to be at ease financially. Seems like there is the attraction to be earning shedloads but if that means being absent from family then maybe priorities are wrong - each to their own I guess. But I can also understand the reluctance of turning work down just in case there is a lean period. I think you are wise to have second thoughts, since browsing this forum, I too, am thinking about it carefully. It's one thing to learn how to tile in the 'classroom' but its when approached to do a job and it's not straightforward, that's what we need to know, how to tackle the problems.

 

[Fekin]

Hey hetty , welcome to the forums

 

[guy1976]

hetty when self employed your gonna be working a lot more hours than a normal person employed by a company if not your not gonna get nowhere you only get out what you put in ( iv done 100 hour weeks lots of times)

 

[Varley]

Welcome to the forums mate

 

[hetty]

Hi Guy1976 - yes I see what you mean - what keeps you going?
Also, thanks to all for welcomes - and what is great everyone is so supportive and helpful and willing to share advice.

 

[guy1976]

Hi Guy1976 - yes I see what you mean - what keeps you going?
Also, thanks to all for welcomes - and what is great everyone is so supportive and helpful and willing to share advice.

the money and even more so the determination of not failing im not fitting tiles 100 hours a week its pricing jobs going to buy materials paperwork all takes time

 

[Dan]

Welcome to the forums Hetty

 

[ad tiling]

Welcome hetty! I currently work full time and would like to tile in the near future. I was thinking about doing a lengthy tiling course but now I'm having second thoughts about the course (at first anyway). To tile PROPERLY you need to remove as many fittings as possible (washbasin, taps, toilet, cistern etc.) First and foremost I'm thinking more along the line of spending the money on a plumbing course and doing free tiling for friends and family at the same time to get the experience.

a proper training centre will teach you how to cut tiles around sinks baths etc
and more important the setting out of the room, do a plumbing course if you
are going to replace bathroom suites .

 

[tjsmiler]

Hetty, guy1976 has hit the nail on head..... don't do this trade unless you are prepared to put the backbone into it, you will be working longer hours now than you probably ever had before. 100 hours a week is normal for me. This is not all spent tiling, much of it is spent doing quotes in the evenings and much of the time you have off is spent talking to customers who phone you up.

Please don't be put off though, i love it and wouldn't have it any other way and most if not everyone on here loves this job, just don't be fooled into thinking you can just put a advert in your local and the work will come flooding in and you will only have to work from 9 -3 and if in want a day off i can etc.... this is the fantasy that SOME training centres present the reallity is totally different. Go for it if your serious about it we are all on here to offer help and advice, many of the fellers on here (Gaz & Dh & Wivers especially) are like a second employe to my little set up so don't be shy to ask questions.

Best of luck and give it all you got and in 1 year from now you will be much happier in your new carrer

TJ