Hi I am thinking of a change of career and think i would enjoy tiling.
My plan at the moment is in this order.

Buy some tools

I cant afford to but top of the range tools straight away so would look to get a mid range set of tools first then replace as I do more work.

Practice

I will read up on Tiling methods to get a better idea than a diy'er and do some free work for myself and family, I work for myself now so after a few freebies start getting some paid work.

Course

When i am confident and earning a few quid from paid jobs invest on doing a course maybe nvq2 and replace tools with more pro gear.

I am a taxi driver at the moment so I can still earn bread and butter money at weekends until Tiling takes off.

Does this seem like a reasonable plan or should i be doing things in a different order (ie Course first)

Thanks Andy

do the course first then you dont get any bad habits and you know how to do the job so you will do it right first time even doing free jobs can cost you if you do it wrong. reading how to do a job or watching dvds will not tell how to get round problems and most of these dvds make it look so simple as all the walls they do are new and square this never happens in real life, books will tell you about cuting tiles round basins & toilets this is a waste fo time take them out so you will need to work with a plumber or learn how to remove and refit them yourself

Agreed, Id deffo do the course first! Theres much more to it then i ever thought! Its money to fork out yeah but well worth it in the end. Then get tools, then do the jobs then branch out from your usual job.
I gave up my job cos i took a 4 weeks course and couldnt get the time off work all in one go, Its hardwork but im glad ive got people supporting me. Im lucky.

Be careful is my advice to you! Good luck matey!

Agreed with LeonB and uug197h. The way you´re going to start doesn´t differ to any DIY-ers way, the client can´t count on your experience and can´t see any difference beween your or any other DIY-ers work and pay. Do the course first to get a pro-tiler skill & reputation & ideas how much to charge for what work.

Thanks for that you 2, just thought that a couple of jobs might help me complete the course better, but as you say i would be doing a job any DIY'er can do. Also true about picking up bad habits.
I'll spend some time looking for the right course now, looks like the courses ive seen around me dont include a nvq so might have to travel of get digs.

Hi Andy, got to concur with the previous posters, you will be better doing the course first. I did a bit of tiling before I got trained and every time I look in my shower it shouts very loudly at me what I did incorrectly!

Good luck, keep us posted.

yep its best to do the course for 2 reasons..........................

1, it gives you the correct method of doing floors & walls
2, once you get into it you will find out if its really for you or not!

but most of all its great fun & you can also buydecent tools at trade prices!
good luck which ever road you go down! (no pun intended - taxi )

Daz

Doing the course first gives you some initial enthusiam to want to get out there......I agree with all the advice that's been given so far Andy, and that advice is straight from the horses mouth

Jim

Seems like everyone is of the same opinion, all makes sense when i do it i want to be as confident as possible not just average, people pay good money to get the job done and deserve a good job in return.
I am earning good money at moment doing taxis but after 14 years at it time for a change, in a way im lucky because i can slowly , hopefully let Tiling income take over Taxi income.
Doing the course i will have more of an idea where and what to spend my hard earned of when buying equiptment.
Thanks Andy

yes do the course first then you know you got it right
good luck
Chris

PTS Training comes well reccommended as long as you make sure theres no birds on your course, they like to spend all their time with them other than the lads if you go wi them! haha

cant risk any distractions!!!

Hi AndyB,

I have been a decorator for years and wanted to broaden my skill base, did a course first and think that was the best move I made, no chance of bad habbits forming and if your going to muck up your first efforts best it be in a training environment and not somebodys home. I then used to practise when I could on small jobs for mates and had a big board in my garage and got some training adhesive of the school I went too and used to try borders and patterns out.

What ever you decided to do good luck

The best way I can think of learning the trade is by spending time with experienced tilers, even labouring for someone you will get a better idea of whats involved. If you go with the reading books route you'll end up running in to difficulties that have never been addressed to you. A tiling course would be a step in the right direction but if you were able to get someone to take you on helping them out thats the best way to learn.

Welcome to the forums and best of luck andy.............Gaz

Welcome andy and good luck

Hi Andyb,

Do the course first. This is a must and then when you complete the course you can start to train as a tiler. This will take a while and you will learn with every job but do not underestimate the amount of hard work you will have to put in to make it as a tiler. I hear of so many in my area who have done short courses and then gave up after a short while. All the best with your new career.

read "the key to success"

The best advise I could give you is to choose a course first that a few people can recommend as being a good from people on here.
They will probably have done the course a while back and have now completed countless tiling jobs and can compare what they have learnt since then to what was taught, and could say yes the course was good, or no it wasn't too good.

Having an income doing taxis is probably the best way to make the change from one job to tiling as you can near enough taxi when you need and tile when your free, so your in a very good position

got to agree with most mate

do the course first, nett is my preferred option and darren can supply the tools, he will teach you in 4 day what other teach in 8 weeks, then you can work towards your nvq, there are many threads with the warmnings that some courses offer nvqs in 6 weeks, this is not the case, there are 3 options only.

enjoy the forums and good luck mate

andy

Make sure the training you do is ACCREDITED training mate.

Any advice on NVQ's and Construction Awards, then please read the threads on the NVQ FORUM or PM me with any specifics you need answering