Quit or not to Quit Tiling, Thats the question ??

[IvegotsTILE]

Agree with Enduro,I know it might sound easy to say keep at it but I only got into tiling when my other business failed and the only thought in my mind was I'm obviously meant to be very successful at something else instead.

Acting positive has its rewards believe me,good luck lads in whatever you decide

[whitebeam]

Agree with enduro your've got to keep pushing on, If it was like the recession in the late eighties I would be bothered. I've never bought a house allways rented so hav'nt got that pressure of a mortgage.

[sWe]

It is said that opportunists can smell money. The times have been good for the past few years. Alot of people have been attracted into the tiling business as a result of that, and though many are serious in their endeavor, many are merely in it for a quick buck.

If the times are changing for the worse, remember that it is temporary, and that harder times weed out cowboys and poor performers.

View harder times as a challenge. Hardships forces us to better ourselves.
Become better and more effective at what you do. Broaden and improve your skills, and provide a better service than your competition.
When the cycle turns back up, you'll come out of it sharper than before, ready to expand, IF you are single-minded enough to weather it.

My five cents...

[wetdec]

When the cycle turns back up, you'll come out of it more sharper than before, ready to expand, IF you are single-minded enough to weather it.

[robbo]

Originally Posted by sWe

It is said that opportunists can smell money. The times have been good for the past few years. Alot of people have been attracted into the tiling business as a result of that, and though many are serious in their endeavor, many are merely in it for a quick buck.

If the times are changing for the worse, remember that it is temporary, and that harder times weed out cowboys and poor performers.

View harder times as a challenge. Hardships forces us to better ourselves.
Become better and more effective at what you do. Broaden your skills, and provide a better service than your competition.
When the cycle turns back up, you'll come out of it more sharper than before, ready to expand, IF you are single-minded enough to weather it.

My five cents...

Words of wisdom as usual swe

[sWe]

Thank you

[enduro]

Originally Posted by whitebeam

Agree with enduro your've got to keep pushing on, If it was like the recession in the late eighties I would be bothered. I've never bought a house allways rented so hav'nt got that pressure of a mortgage.

I have a mortgage and i have 3 other houses i rent out, yes im flying by the seat of my pants, and having that hanging over your head makes you hungry for work, i know its my choice but it gets me out to work a 7am everyday...Keeps me a sharp businessman knowing i have to earn xyz every week. You need to have something to aim for in life, I'm 42 and by the time I'm 55 i want to retire and have time to enjoy the rest of my life.

[whitebeam]

I agree with you "again", You do need that push to keep going and expend effort to achieve an aim otherwise you can turn idle

[Steve1903]

If there's no work and too many tilers why do all the training course websites say that there's a shortage and lots of £££ to be had?

I know the obvious "cos they want to sell places on their courses" but its not good if they're lying on page 1 of their sites.

[brian c]

Originally Posted by Steve1903

If there's no work and too many tilers why do all the training course websites say that there's a shortage and lots of £££ to be had?

I know the obvious "cos they want to sell places on their courses but its not good if they're lying on page 1 of their sites.

fair comment m8.

As for the rest of the lads ,do what is best for your family and your sanity.

[charlie1]

Deff hard times ahead in terms of how much you can make as a tiler. However its not all about the money or it shouldnt be. This week I layed 16m2 of slate and got £544 for it (3 days) but it was more the challenge. I just give her all the money anyway.

In the next year or 2 the overfilled pool of tilers will reduce because many people have went in to it just for the cash. These tilers will not see it out. Even some of the well etablished tilers will not survive because they are used to a certain income and to achieve this they will move on to something new because £pm2 will have dropped.

Even the training centres have seen this all coming. When I done my course a year ago, The guy who trained me (I wont say who) told me he would only be doing the training for another year or 2 thats all it will last. One training school introduced 2 day advanced courses for former pupils. Need I say more.

On the doom and gloom side:

- Laminate wall board, glass splash backs are replacing traditional tiling in kitchens and bathrooms removing the need for a tiler.

- Allready too many tilers in most areas.

- Tile shops are not as busy (In some areas anyway)

On the up side

- This should only last a few years and if you can see it out, as SWE says you will come out in a much better position.

[theyomper]

Had a few knocks in my time. Back in the late 80's got took for £90 grand on one job.....end result ...lost house, business, car and fairweather friends. Then in the late 90's went off on a 6 week contract and had van and all tools nicked......only two days into job.
My other half asks why I am always happy.......What more could go wrong? Always sing the good old Monty Pythons song to myself most days....' Always look on the bright side of life....etc.....etc...'
You've done the hard work in the last year so why give up now? Start thinking about past customers......were they looking for more tiling work in the future. Try Topps and ask them about being one of their Topps Approved Installer. If you start going down the Doom and Gloom slide it becomes obvious to any potential customer.......no matter how hard things appear there is always someone less fortunate than yourself.