 Tradeskills4U - Crawley | |
TRADESKILLS4U Crawley.
There is a choice of a 1 week, 2 week or 4 week tiling course. See their website for details.
Booking the course was hassle free and it only took a phone call. I opted for the 4 week professionals course as I had chosen tiling as my new career. A confirmation letter arrived in the post a few days after booking. It was nothing special, it just said I was booked on the course. It gave directions and told me to bring a notebook, pens, work clothing and boots. Doors open at 08:30. That was it. For £1500 I expected a little more!
Doors open at 08:30 not a minute before. If you are driving, then you need to get there before 08:00 to get a chance of getting a parking space. Induction takes place every Monday for the new trainees. The course then starts at 09:00 and finishes at 16:00. There is a lunch break and 2 tea breaks during the day. The Tiling course instructor (Shaun) explains briefly what we are going to do over the next 1,2 or 4 weeks. Then it's straight into marking, scoring and cutting tiles using Rubi TS-40's Then we learn how to measure & mark up walls & floors. Mix adhesive & grout, lay wall & floor tiles using normal pattern, diamond & brick patterns. We learn how to use many tools inc wet cutters. We learn how to tile around a window and around a toilet. We tile & grout showers and kitchens, and we learned how to cut around electric sockets. We received a very worthwhile and informative demonstration from BAL. This included the difference between White, Blue & Green star adhesives. There was also a demo on Epoxy grouting and Tanking. We learned how to cut trim using trim cutters. However, I now use a Homelux mitre box (£4.99 from Homebase. Then I saw the same box for £2.99 in Topps !!! The first week of the course is demanding on the body. I would recommend buying 'tool trousers' (with built in knee pads). Or you could just buy knee pads. There is a lot of physical work because the tiles you put on the wall/floor have to come off the wall/floor so you can put them up again! My course took place in Jan'08. It was pretty cold in the warehouse, which is shared with plasters, brick layers and electricians. However, you soon warm up when you are scraping tiles off the wall and lugging them out to the skip. We used 'training' adhesive which stays wet for months. However, it still has enough adhesion to stick a tile to the wall. We learn about different types of tile, natural stone etc. We learn how to measure and cut holes for pipes etc. We learned about grouting and using a Karl Dham Washboy. Shaun is constantly keeping an eye on everyone and believe me he has eyes on the back of his head. He does not miss a trick. Be warned, do not throw away spacers. Do not loose the lid of your felt pen. Do not throw away good tiles. The 4 weekers get a lesson (half a day) on plastering which was great. We also used self levelling compound and a bit of screeding and underfloor heating. We learned so much in the first week that you do tend to forget a little on the 2nd and 3rd week. However, Shaun was always on hand to ask questions and to put you back in the right direction. Everyone on the course has paid good money to be there, the 4 weekers gel together and we all help each other out. Every day before home we have to clear our work areas and tools. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to start early and leave late and have no lunch. Unfortunately this was not allowed. For the money I paid I believe it was well worth it. I wish I could have stayed on the course longer, but now I am good enough to tile the world! My Parents recently had a couple of rooms tiled. I found fault with the work and got my Mum to get the guy back and put it right. My background was IT, but I have enough skills to do DIY around the house. I believe I am now a trained tiler, the only thing I lack is speed. I have also used this Tilers Forum to gain further valuable knowledge and tips. If you want further info on the course I attended then please feel free and ask. So, 2 months on and what am I doing? Tiling for Friends and Family at the mo. I also tiled my own kitchen which has given it a new lease of life. Friends & family were very pleased with the work i've done. I've given my cards to a builder and a painter/decorator & an electrician who were all impressed with my work. I've been to all the tile/bathroom/kitchen showrooms in the area, but I have not received a single call. I got a call from a guy that picked up a card at Topps Tiles, but he wanted a quote over the phone. Against my principles (and advice on this forum) I gave him a quote. I rang him up a few days later to find out what he thought, and he said I was too expensive! I asked him what he paid and he told me. However, he had to pay for the materials. I worked out that he would have ended up paying more than I quoted. Oh well......his loss. I am very critical about my work, but can honestly say that the tiling I have done so far is first class. It just takes me twice as long to do! I price per job, not how long it takes me. My last job (for a friend) worked out at £25 a day!!! but the experience gained is worth an awful lot more. I hope you fond this review interesting. Cheers Sean
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