Advice Please?

[whufc]

OK, I have found a tiling company who would have me shaddowing a tiler(without getting paid) until they are satisfied that i am learning enough and slashing down the tiles with them and making them money, And i would then be put on my nvq (the geeza who i am working with is an assessor)....the thing is i work in admin at the moment and im meant to give my 4 weeks notice blahblah... so do i just walk away from admin completely or go with this tiling company who are contractors (self employed)
i have just got back form the site with the tiler (doing office blocks up in london)...i am stuck in a position whether to take my big oppurtunity to break in the tiling industry (without pay) or do i wash my hands and carry on in admin.....they rekon i would be watching and then slashing down the tiles within 3-4 weeks? please help me and what would you recommend?
its avery hard decision.....!?


hope this all makes sense?

ps. i was willing to do a course, but can not possibly afford the out lay
any advice?

[wetdec]

Personally you would be mad to jump in like that, todays climate will not support it and if you dont get on after a week or so your in the Sh*t.

Cant you go on leave for a couple of weeks at least that way you have sumin to fall back on.


imo


tiler

..

[redrex]

Please don't take this the wrong way and I know I am new , but.........

I would seriously re-consider thinking of 'working' for a company that will have you watching for a bit and then 'slashing down tiles'. I understand your problem with the cost of courses but you really don't have to spend a fortune, I had a bit of hard time last year but decided on a course that suited my budget and that I could pay a small deposit on up front and save for over the next few weeks/months. Whilst the shorter courses will only ever offer a basic introduction, that is a far better option IMOH than what you are thinking about doing. With what you learn there, read here, ask questions, visit a few local tile shops, talk to people,maybe do a couple of small jobs for friends and family to cut your teeth. I have a stone merchant in Brentford who is happy for me to pop along for a chat, touch and feel and sniff his stones......ask questions(even if later,when you know better you realise how silly they are)I have put a little business his way, too. You just don't have to spend a fortune to get some initial guidance.

You are in an admin job? I guess you aren't at work at the weekends then? 9-5 working hours during the week? You have plenty of time to research and learn more and if you feel confident, tackle a few jobs. You also have the huge benefit of having an income that will support you until things work out. Maybe use some of that income to buy some seconds or returns from a local tile shop, buy some cheap addy....tile something and have fun.

I look at tiling as creative work, problem solving and leaving a lasting impression on customers-it really is art. look at some of the jobs that people have done on here...satisfying or what? Thats what I aspire to, not slashing and house bashing tiles.

Hope that wasn't a rant

redrex

[grumpygrouter]

There is also ther possibility that the "employer" may decide after 4 weeks that it isn't working out and drop you like a hot coal as soon as they need to pay you!

[whufc]

but aint on site experience better than a course? i am really stuck...my admin job is not great pay either 20,000

[grumpygrouter]

A job paying £20k a year is better than no income at all. If you get experience with this firm, what is your "salary" going to be when they deem you are ready to be paid a wage?

[a1tiler]

listen to redrex and grumpy, they are giving good well thought out advice

[CJ]

You'd be better off doing a course first.........then trying to test the water by going part time.

Imagine this contractor using you for a month (free labour) then dropping you in it. Then where would you be........up poo creak with no paddle

Site work is a lot different to private work. Just need to listen to there terms.... "slashing them up" Take ya time to learn.......and don't slash them up and make a pigs ear.

Good reputation goes a long way in this game ..............bad takes longer to lose

[cornish_crofter]

I would agree with the others.

If you want to get into tiling, stick with your admin job. £20ks not a bad salery.

Look out some courses and try to get into it doin jobs for friends and family. Don't jump in at the deep end, punt for splashbacks etc and other simple stuff.

I'm doing bathroom fitting that includes tiling and plumbing at the moment, but there are certain jobs I would be unwilling to tackle.

You may be able to get weekend work for a tiler prepping etc. It is this area that you need to invest the time in.

[Daveyboy]

DON'T DO IT....
DON'T DO IT....
DON'T DO IT....
DON'T DO IT....
DON'T DO IT....
DON'T DO IT....

A true professional company would not treat a trainee like this. Yr going to be cannon fodder...four weeks and yr dumped. You'd be mad to ignore Redrex and the others advice..

[frankenfurter]

but aint on site experience better than a course? i am really stuck...my admin job is not great pay either 20,000

That all depends who you are site with and what they show you. I'd take onboard what other forum members have said and have a good think.

I have two apprentices who've been working with my for around 2 years, I teach them everything I know so they can be a real help to me and my business. They get paid a decent wage are happy in their work and as a result work really hard and there's a lot of trust between us. You'll never be able to trust someone who pays nothing, and shows nothing.

[graham31]

Also in this life it never pays to burn bridges,no point walking away from your job at the mo not working your notice having no way back and then things don't work out way the tiling contactor then you need to go about finding another job.Leave on good terms and if your good at what you do your present employer may have you back

Think about it take your time think your steps carefully.It took me 9months or so to go a course and alot of reading on here.I've got a few family and friends jobs to be getting on way and i'll take it from their.

good luck and only FOOLS RUSH IN remember that old saying

[LM Ceramics]

i can understand the position your in mate whether to pack your job in. when the term slashing them on doesnt necessarily mean slapping tiles on personally i think any experience with a decent tiler is better than any course

1. your learning it 5 days a week more experience basically your putting more hours in.

2. the best way to learn tiling is on site if you had just come out of a course and taking on your first job in a paying customers house and you mess up i know were id rather make a mistake (onsite)

3.once you be able to tile basic bathrooms on site (which they are) your getting into the swing of things and you pick tiling up far easier than on a course, plus if you do get stuck with anything that is what the tilers forums is for help and advice. be careful not to take any bad habits from site through.

some of the best tilers i know started learning tiling on site i also learned the trade on site and expanded my knowledge on the tilersforums im 20 i started up this year im booked up for the next month at least still got more work coming in, i get regular referals from my local tile shop, i also work for a local kitchen firm and building firm and more work to follow say no more.

my advice is see if you can fit your existing job around this tiling job obviously if you cant the decison is down to you being on site worked for me and it can work for you

[top tiler]

trust me you will be used as a labour to get tiles upstairs and do grouting and no more how much do you think tilers earn its not 45k like advertised.20k with paid holls is good money the building game is in bad shape at the moment and anyone coming in to it must be mad