Make my mind up time

[Mad Hatter]

As I've mentioned previously I left my job on my Monday to embark on a new career as a tiler. My plan was to work self-employed, advertise well and learn as much a possible about the trade as I am a mere novice and learning things everyday(thanks to you lot on here)

Anyway, I did a trial job for a building contractor a few weeks ago so they could see what I could do. I did the job, a kitchen and bathroom and they were happy with the work despite me not being overly quick, they've been in touch this week as they know I've taken redundancy now and they've offered me a job cards-in and want me to start ASAP. Some might say it's a no-brainer but I wanted to go down the path I mentioned above but the flipside of it is that I don't have to do the accounts side of things, I get a new van and I don't have to wait for the phone to ring for work to come in. It's not the most exciting work, refurbing social housing but I suppose I'd take a lot from it and I'd be broadening my knowledge everyday. I'd be on day rate until I'm quick enough to work per sq/m.

If you were in my shoes would you take the job and still advertise privately and fit those jobs in when you can. What would you do?

[kilty55]

hi,im pretty new to tiling also mate,id be inclined to take the opportunity and see how it goes as im not entirely convinced there is a huge amount of companies out there willing to employ so called course tilers they all sem to want time served or so ive seen.id do the job and build your business on the side also,the job would build your speed up and give you confidence and hey if it doeasnt work out at least you tried it mate!!

[ryan83]

Like yourself im still new to tiling and don't really know the ins and outs of working for a company / contractor.

However, after reading your post my first thought would be to give it a go with them. if nothing else its a great oppertunity to build up your experience and as you said, you wont be waiting for the phone to ring.

good luck whatever you decide.

[charlie1]

Yea give it a go man. Nothing to loose. If it goes boobies up then you can move back to plan A again.

[IvegotsTILE]

Its a no-brainer mate,no looking for work,constant work,own vehicle,don't have to worry about accounts.....whats there to think about.

[Ultimate Tiling]

With the current climate if you can afford to work for what they are going to pay you jump at the chance.
You will still be learning while getting a regular income.

[Oli]

Best of luck mate, at least you wont have the pressure of looking for work

[LM Ceramics]

personally i think you would be stupid not to take it as said in the other posts not alot of builders or tiling firms are willing to take on novice tilers i know its only social housing but it will build your speed and confidence to go out self employed or you might love it and stay on im sure alot of these who have done a tiling course would jump at this chance to gain experience.

im 20 im only self employed because of the lack of work within tiling firms i have worked with tiling firms before last year there was no work.

grab this opportunity with both hands impress them and you will do alright

[CLAYS TILES]

go for it m8!

[deanotile]

Any tiling experience at your stage is good experience even if the work is not top draw you will get better and faster as time goes on and you can do foreigners at the weekend.

[Raja]

good man am happy for you

All the best

[Dave]

That is the best type of work to start off with...You will probably be only using ceramics and it will get you up to a decent fixing quality.
My only advice is, try not to get drawn into the lets clash loads off and turn out rough jobs sort of attitude....

good luck..

[penno]

read my post m8
http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tilers...-employed.html

[Fred]

when I started out, a referb firm gave me a go and liked my work, alas slow. Only one week a month, but gave me the confidence to go to private work the other three weeks, so I say go for it mate.

[365drills]

Work for them for a while (year) pick up the skills. Gain a reputation. Get paid. Then go for it freelance.

Nothing to stop you quoting to do their work on your terms even if you "leave".

[smurf21]

remods on social housing are a tilers bread and butter but dont get into bad ways use the opp to build your speed and confidence. allways do the best job you can do the walls will be ****e and you will be washing up for some believe me .. but its work and a good learning ex. you can still be self employed while on the books with this firm put your sat jobs through your books and build your buisiness.. good luck

[tiler burden]

i think alot depends on what you want to achieve from being a tiler?

yes it will pay the bills, give you some experience and confidence but if you want to grow and learn more diverse tiling then it could hold you back. what i mean is, you could start relying on the regular wage and it might restrict your plans.

i would do it for 3-6 months, maybe till the new year and keep advertising for your own work and also a good timeserved guy who can help you on bigger/difficult jobs. that way, you learn as you go along and remain the boss!!

keep pushing your self, dont fall into bad habits and be your own man and you'll be fine....

all the best
ed

[dean39]

i think alot depends on what you want to achieve from being a tiler?

yes it will pay the bills, give you some experience and confidence but if you want to grow and learn more diverse tiling then it could hold you back. what i mean is, you could start relying on the regular wage and it might restrict your plans.

i would do it for 3-6 months, maybe till the new year and keep advertising for your own work and also a good timeserved guy who can help you on bigger/difficult jobs. that way, you learn as you go along and remain the boss!!

keep pushing your self, dont fall into bad habits and be your own man and you'll be fine....

all the best
ed

Give it a go,you got nothing to lose,everything to gain,good luck tae ya mate.........

[whitebeam]

Go for it mate it's reguler work and being self employed can be a hard slogg if your,ve never been down that road before.

[smokie899]

lucky man. it seems you are were i want to be,and i am were you want to be.
perfect for experiance and speed good luck

[Mad Hatter]

I'd just like to say a big thanks to everybody who advised me on the job offer, you'll be glad to know that I've been to agree terms today and I start on Monday and my new van is on order.

My long term aim is to still work for myself but by doing it this way I can gain my experience and speed and still bring home a wage by doing the bread and butter jobs whilst I build my knowledge.

Once again, thanks.

MH

[faithhealer]

Good luck Mate

[bobbin]

Good luck mate, hope it works out for you. I know most people hate accounts, I do, luckily I have an accountant friend who sorts it out for me! If your going to sub contract to a company, have they asked you for your CIS details yet, most company's that sub work require it. It means that you get taxed 20% at source, if you're not CIS registered it will be 30% at source!
Worth double checking just in case.

[Damo74]

Good luck mate sounds like a great opp to gain some experience. I have been tiling part time for a few months and due to other reasons have been forced to go full time self employed now. Not great timing with a recession looming so this job sounds perfect mate.