Tiling

[BigDogsWang]

I am seriously considering jacking in my present job (Recruitment Consultant last 16 years), undertaking a full blown Tiling course, and making a living from it. I have done a few Tiling jobs of my own and for my family, and its something I enjoy. Has anyone else gone down this route, and would they recommend it? If I get regular work, what sort of return can I expect?

[Octavius]

Here is a good link with some hints and advice on being a tiler.

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agrees wage rates annually.  The new basic hourly rates (based on a 39 hour week) and applying between Monday, 7 June 2004 and Sunday, 12 June 2005 will be �8.38 for craftsmen (previously �7.75)
 
Qualified tilers can earn �16,995 a year.

Tilers with several years? experience can earn up to �21,000.

Wage rates may be higher if bonuses, shift allowances and overtime are included.

[Octavius]

erm.. the link

http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/B/brickingit/training/job_profiles_f4.html

[Dom Tuk]

I would not chuck my main job yet. Set up as a tiler and get the gear in and get your fliers and yellow page and shop window ads in. Start taking orders for the odd weekends. Do your canvassing in the weekends. When the appointments diary starts filling up and you are happy with it and you think that it can give you a steady income, chuck your main job. All the best.

[Octavius]

Dom, thats not always easy.  If you have to finish a job off, and you can'tr because you have to do your main job, then your reputation isn't going to go too far.

[BigDogsWang]

Thanks for the advice everyone, but I think I'll stick with what I'm doing. I must be out of touch as I thought they could earn a lot more. I don't enjoy my current job anymore, but it pays the bills and keeps me in a lot more clover than Tiling would. Thanks anyway.

[fibifooz]

I need someone to tile my bathroom. Fancy the job? I live in South Wales.

[BigDogsWang]

Ohhh look, my first customer. I'd have to charge travel time though. I live in East Anglia.

[Mitchuk]

Ill do it for you i live in Devon.

Mitch

Im home after may 1st.

Like BigDogsWang i was unhappy with my job. I started up tiling on the weekends and nights for friends and a few people who lived near me. I now travel all over the place even on oil rigs (Due to my previous job) tiling.

Its not that good a wage, but at least you get to see your family when you want to as you make your own times up.

Mitch

[Tilingworld]

try www.tilersforums.co.uk for advice and this blog that will be update frequenlty it has a list of essential tiling tools
http://tilingworld.blog.com.

Hope this helps