Tiler with no work!!!

[enduro]

When i did my tiling course a few years ago, a mate of mine did the same course a few months later as he was fed up with his job. We went out for a beer last night and he was explaining to me how very quite it is. This guy lives about 3 miles from me, and he cant understand why I'm always so busy tiling and he isn't. Well i have just gone and had a look at a job i put his way that he finished on Friday a bathroom in a new house that is empty to see what the problem was if any. Well when i got there i could see why!!! the tiling was OK, but the setting out need a bit more thought, i explained what he needed to do and he could see what i meant. Then the materials he was using B@Q tile adhesive and grout, bollocked him for that. But it was his finishing off that was the problem, beige tiles, and he had used white grout, not a bit of silicone in sight, tiles need polishing dust off, adhesive and grout in bath that hadn't be cleaned off. I asked him why white grout and he said never asks customer only ever uses white!!! Then i asked why no silicone, i used flexible grout so don't need it. The i asked why he hadn't cleaned up, he said he had and that's how he leaves every job...And he wonders why he has no work ATTENTION TO DETAIL thats his problem i told him and untill he proves to me he can improve im not going to put work his way...Cant belive he did the same course as me and turning out work like this....

[Fekin]

Some people are just sloppy I guess.

[GazTech]

Peoples work standard is a reflection of their character / integrity / pride / attitude and skill. ( with some people skill can be fairly natural, with others pure hard work ).......Gaz

[pjtiler]

punters expect your work to look like what they have seen in the tile showroom or glossy magazine
neat tidy and clean

[Fekin]

punters expect your work to look like what they have seen in the tile showroom or glossy magazine
neat tidy and clean

Indeed, but the many still expect such work but ain't willing to pay for propper prep work

[pjtiler]

Indeed, but the many still expect such work but ain't willing to pay for propper prep work

i dont know how you price work
i just give them a quote for what i think needs doing for a top job
take it or leave it
i dont go into details

[Fekin]

Like when tiles have been removed they often don't want the expense of putting the walls right "if it's needed" I mean.

[charlie1]

In my humble opinion, goog quality tiling is ALL about the finish. I have been tiling professonally for a year now but i allways ask myself the same question 'where can i improve my "finish". There is no point in going to all the trouble of ensuring 100% coverage, making walls flat, and getting good size cutts if you are going to make an arse of the siliconing or grouting.

[DEN]

As a professional tiler its the whole job from start to finish good,clean quality work,there is no compromise otherwise you are'nt just cheating your customers,but you are cheating yourself.You owe it to yourself to be as professional as possible,that is what you are paid to do,your reputation is at stake,well done enduro for helping your mate out constructively

[Sean Kelly]

Customers are so impressed and amazed when I hoover at the end of the day (with my own hoover). When all the walls & floors are cleaned and the worktops etc are wiped down I then finish the day by washing the empty mugs and plates that the customer had filled with tea and biscuits earlier. Most customers (the women) offer to clean up after me, but I do it, as it's all part of the service........that they are paying for.

[GazTech]

Customers are so impressed and amazed when I hoover at the end of the day (with my own hoover). When all the walls & floors are cleaned and the worktops etc are wiped down I then finish the day by washing the empty mugs and plates that the customer had filled with tea and biscuits earlier. Most customers (the women) offer to clean up after me, but I do it, as it's all part of the service........that they are paying for.

Blimey Sean, why not go the whole hog and do their laundry and peg it all out whilst waiting for your primer to dry.....lol

[charlie1]

Good idea Gaz,

You could also wash there car when you are waiting for the grout to dry

[Ger]

Customers are so impressed and amazed when I hoover at the end of the day (with my own hoover).

Wonder what % of tilers doing residential refurb work use their own hoover to clean up after themselves. Great marketing there Sean!

Ger

[whitebeam]

Got my little Henry in the van all the time, I would rather do my own clearing up than leave to customer.

[brian c]

how much do u charge for doing the washing up Sean...lol

Enduro,as said before very good constructive critisism,i hope your mate takes what you said on board m8.

[Benny]

I bet Sean isnt short of work though, sounds like a top tradesman to me.

[sibs]

Got my little Henry in the van all the time, I would rather do my own clearing up than leave to customer.

I keep a hoover in the van too.... I wouldn't dream of not cleaning up after myself it would be such bad form and what fekin is saying about customers not wanting to spend money on the prep I totally agree with as I have had the same attitude myself from customers. They just don't seem to understand

[enduro]

I always vacuum when i leave, customers comment that the carpets are cleaner when i finish than when i started. I always leave job completely finished, tiles polished, stone sealed etc...And never ever leave anything for the customer to do. I did a job this week for a new kitchen fitting company, a large splash back behind a aga, it was 6sqm very expensive tiles, kitchen cost £54,000 the director of the company commented about how clean i worked and how i left the job absolutely immaculate, if you want to work for these premium companies you have to turn this sort of work out and then they don't mind paying that bit extra. I charged £450.00 for this and it took me 6hrs. These are the customers I'm trying to aim my tiling buisness at, but you REALLY REALLY have to do that a 100% job. I did my tiling course in May 2005 and had never picked a tile up before, and i only tile part time but my tiling reputation is starting to get around and i don't advertise anymore, so when you do your next tiling job and you have finished and stand back and have a look, ATTENTION TO DETAIL that's what its all about... Anyway my mate the tiler i was talking about in my first post did a kitchen splash back this week in travertine, he had never used it before so i gave him a few tips, he went and bought all ardex adhesive and grout, cream silicone, i went and had a look this morning with him, and the difference from the last job was so much better, setting out, and finishing off it looked really good and he was really chuffed with himself....Only thing is i told him is i dont want him getting as good as me and nicking all my work, he had a good laugh

[Sean Kelly]

Benny, since going on holiday for 2 weeks at the end of April I have not had a job. To keep me ticking over I have even offered to do a mates kitchen splashback for free......but he can't be bothered to go out and buy 2sq mtrs of tiles! That offer has now expired!! I might have some site work soon (fingers crossed). Accounts and filing all upto date!!

[TopTrainer]

Just reading this thread and wondered do you use silicone on floors too if so where does that fit into the job please DIY er

thanks TT