Work

[Jim Stradwick]

So I'm a little confused, know one will give a straight answer.
in Scotland and England is there work or is there no work
some guys say there's no work that its hard to survive ,then other guys say there are really busy,
assuming the busy ones are the good installers
I would think that if you are good at tiling you will be busy .
please correct me if I'm wrong

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Jim.

It is all about having good work contacts and a good reputation.

You cannot expect work to fall into your lap without either of these.

 

[widler]

I wouldnt say its busy,a lot of good tradesmen are out of work,most in work, but i would'nt say them in work are earning a fortune,just a wage !
And from a personal point of view why in the world would anyone want to move INTO this country ?

 

[cam_low]

It's very much a case of who you know at the minute. What you know doesn't seem to count as customers want it done cheaply. My prices haven't budged and won't budge. Ill go fix it when it breaks.

 

[CJ]

As mentioned already.

Sometimes it's not wot you know.........but who you know.

So get yourself out and about.

I like to think I'm a tiling slag. :yikes:

 

[Paulyboy]

I am finding that, after a winter spent abroad, i have returned to more contract work than private customers. So, the bread and butter is still there, but it seems that the private customers are careful about spending the money.
But at least its something, as Widler's post above nails it!

 

[nybor62]

there is plenty of subby work out there, but be carefull, the rates are rubbish for most, take out your fuel and living expenses,
20% tax , not a lot left
ive just turned a job down 900 m2 £14 m2 price in portsmouth , 2 restaurants side by side , loads of different rooms , you would struggle to make a good wage imo
pay your own diggs and fuel ,

 

[AliGage]

I work privately at the moment. People are spending! But competition at quoting stage is what's slowing people up. Like with most other jobs you have to be able to sell yourself. Im spending a lot more time with potential customers to win jobs at good rates. Not landings many but those i do have listened and understand why im more expensive than many other quotes they get in.
If you walk in, measure up and are done in 10 minutes your not likely to land it unless you are the cheapest by far. Tell then what your going to do, explain your prep and materials you'll use. Most i find say other trades are saying "ply" "pva" etc. Tell then why and consequence if not done correctly and leave it as food for thought. Most peoples conscience get them spending a bit more to do it right.

 

[trevortine]

It's all a bit up and down at the moment. Personally I'm doing ok and have a lot booked in at the moment but the past few months have been more a case of ticking over than stressed out. I recently visited five or six tile shops in Glasgow on the hunt for an old tile and all the shops told me the same. Some people are bragging about being snowed under when it simply just isn't the case. Maybe it's an ego thing I don't know but one things for sure, it ain't like it used to be, but things can only get better eh!

 

[ifindoubtgrout]

i seen a lad i know at tiles uk on monday said he was bombed out til november, when i went out side to load van he was loading 6*6 in van ,he on council bashing £10 a meter , big bucks.

 

[judge]

You defo need to sell yourself (not literally) Especially when your up against other quotes for the job.Guaranteed ,there will be someone in at a silly price and you need to be able to explain why your price is what it is.only recently ,when looking at a job i ask the customer what theyre budget is,and what other quotes have they had?

 

[charlie1]

It's all a bit up and down at the moment. Personally I'm doing ok and have a lot booked in at the moment but the past few months have been more a case of ticking over than stressed out. I recently visited five or six tile shops in Glasgow on the hunt for an old tile and all the shops told me the same. Some people are bragging about being snowed under when it simply just isn't the case. Maybe it's an ego thing I don't know but one things for sure, it ain't like it used to be, but things can only get better eh!

Ive yet to meet a tiler down the shop that tells me he is not busy, yes I think there is an ego thing going on (in our trade particularly)

 

[kilty55]

hiya jim what is work like where you are just now? if its stable i would not consider moving to the uk its very up and down imo

 

[Jim Stradwick]

It's very up and down here ,but I'm busy and I'm not cheap. I want to slow it down a little and enjoy life a little. Taxes are about 30-35% here and like everywhere there's someone that will do it cheaper. We do everything here by the sqft not by the sq meter, so I have to retrain myself on that one .
stores are paying $*** sqft Canadian ,I'm getting $***** sqft for just plain layout 12 by 24s ,how does that compare??

 

[Peter]

Three types of customer. Those who have want a cheap job, those who want a good job, and those who want a good job cheap. :lol:

 

[turnip]

i seen a lad i know at tiles uk on monday said he was bombed out til november, when i went out side to load van he was loading 6*6 in van ,he on council bashing £10 a meter , big bucks.

might be enough to keep bread and water on his table, mrs working too, no kids, cheap rent on the council, probably feels rich!

Its very much luck of the draw and unfortunately every man for himself (and woman for herself if Lynn is reading)!?
Doesn't matter if your good or barely able, if you need the work its down to sacrifice unfortunately..