Is it a good idea to start up in the current climate

[SOTON STEVE]

Hi there.

I'm new to the forum, so, hello to all.

I'm currently a manager for Topps Tiles and there is no doubt that many before me have thought about leaving Topps to pursue a career in Tiling. I am starting to think the same way. Although the only tiling experiance I've had is knocking up millions of display's, Im not nieve enough to think that I can just buy tools, a van, and start a career. I want to go about it properly. Obviously I need to get properly trained, and maybe even work with some of the traders in the bussiness that I know for free on my days off just to get experiance. The question that burns in the front of my mind is "Is it a sensible time to start up in todays current climate".

What with the credit crunch, I suppose a big part of me is scared of loosing the security of a monthly wage at Topps.

Can anyone give any advice???

Regards

SOTON STEVE

[GazTech]

Welcome to the forums Steve,
I left Topps to work for Bal, but leaving to go tiling for yourself is different. How much tiling have you done other than with a glue gun? If you are confident you could hack it only you will know. A job with a steady wage is one to treasure at the moment I would say....Gaz

[whitebeam]

I agree with Gaz, There are hardend tradesmen who maybe struggling at the moment, That monthly wage is looking good, I'd hang on a bit and get feedback from your tiler customers and see what they say.

[top tiler]

steve if your selling tiles then surely you all ready know that its not the right time to go out on in the big wide world. with no sick pay no holiday pay and not knowing if you have any money coming in next week to pay the morgage STAY PUT

[Sir Ramic]

Stay where you are and if you get the chance then you can tile in your spare time or days off. Wait until the time is right......it aint now !

[cornish_crofter]

Welcome to the forum!

I would stay where you are. You've got a good job with a salary.

IF things start to look grim in your position then remember that leaving with a redundancy package is more lucrative than leaving just because you want to.

In your position I would look to get some weekend work, or work on your days off. Small stuff like tiling kitchen splashbacks etc. This will give you an idea of real tiling rather than tiling perfectly flat substrates

If you get a name for yourself, then get made redundant, at least you'll have something to fall back on.

[SOTON STEVE]

Thankyou for your responses so far. There seems to be a theme..... Is the economy effecting established tilers then? Because it does seem fairly quiet in some local stores on the trade front.

Maybe, Its just store management thats getting me thinking about making the move. But with a genuine interest and fair amount of knowledge in the trade where can someone in my position go from here......hmmm.....confused now.

SOTON STEVE

[GazTech]

Thankyou for your responses so far. There seems to be a theme..... Is the economy effecting established tilers then? Because it does seem fairly quiet in some local stores on the trade front.

Maybe, Its just store management thats getting me thinking about making the move. But with a genuine interest and fair amount of knowledge in the trade where can someone in my position go from here......hmmm.....confused now.

SOTON STEVE

Our prices have been reduced by Topps, store budgets slashed, maybe stay with them for a while or offer your services to Tile Giant.......Gaz

[CJ]

Unless they start closing down............I'd stay put

Then again........if they close down...........you may get ya stuff on the cheap

[crazysteve123]

Tiled for six months made 6 grand..gone back to my old job as a cnc turner boring but the money is far better it's tough out there at the minute be careful in what you decide to do

[kiwi Mark]

Hi mate
If youve got the time and money get yourself up to the North East and get on Darrens NETT course .Like the guys have said get some small weekend jobs,youre in the right place to pick up the work.Very up and down hardly anything last month ,full up this month hard to budget,if youve got money behind you for when youre quiet go for it,if youre good youll get work but if youre living from week to week stay where you are for now Good luck

[Fred]

Stay poot mate, I'm ok but only ticking over.

[Daz]

There's absolutely no doubt that it is quieter in the market now than it was 6 months ago. But, I started my business at the beginning of this year and I have been consistently, and I am still, booked 4 to 6 weeks in front.

I have no regrets in launching my new career in this economic climate and I would say that provided you have a knowledge of your local area and how many tilers there are / what the majority of clients require / who and how much competition you will have (i.e. do some good business research) then you have the foundation of knowledge to be successful.

As mentioned by others, do a course and learn how to be a professional tiler. This will provide you with the confidence and skill set to offer advice to clients and sell your knowledge and abilities.

Respect your clients, respect your competition and always go the extra mile to help customers and you will always be in demand.

If you have the desire and are prepared to put in the hours, you can make it work.

My only caveat (which has already been mentioned) is, you have a regular wage with paid holiday, sick pay etc. - Are you sure you want to gamble that right now?

Good luck with your decision.

[davy_G]

Some good advice there in previous posts.
From my point of view: prices are being squeezed and there are only a few jobs where i can go in at over 20 quid a m2 ( i live in Norn Iron). So to make decent money here you have to be quick. Ive been tiling flat out, 6 days a week, for a year now and i am now getting what i think is decent money. Its speed, but quality work at pace which will get the work and money flowing. I havnt advertised in 6 months.
The point is im not sure there is the work out there for you to build up the speed as prices are coming down.
Its only something you can decide but if you hate your job then something has to give but how much do you need regular income? Good luck!

[faithhealer]

Hi Steve, as above mate stay put for the time being but you can prepare for a carrer change whether it's your choice or forced upon you.
First thing, you need a course under your belt, take a weeks hoilday in South Shields with darren at NETT. I thought I could tile before I went there but I was very wrong! Then start as we all do with friends and relatives, start a porfolio going. Don't know if you would land in trouble if you did Topps customers but you should have a few more contacts than the average newbie. Good luck but have patience.

[LM Ceramics]

definetly a wrong time to set up and with all these new tilers doing these courses thinking they will have a succesful business are wrong obviously its a risk you need to decide if it is worth taking the advantage is that your a topps manager and you have one contact already

[bigandy]

I am coming back t the business after a couple of years off,and am sure i can pick up where i left off, but i am still keeping my other businesses going.

As everybody said it's getting tough for most out there.

Why put all your eggs in one basket?

[Thespanishtiler]

In these times with less work about and more tilers chasing what there is it the tiler who has a tested relationship with the shops/builders/plumbers/developers etc who gets the work. as you probably dont have these contacts or track record i would say dont do it. you could go on a course and do free work for friends etc in preparation for the up turn (if it happens) then you could hit the ground running.

[Daz]

definetly a wrong time to set up and with all these new tilers doing these courses thinking they will have a succesful business are wrong obviously its a risk you need to decide if it is worth taking the advantage is that your a topps manager and you have one contact already

Lee,

Have I mis-interpreted your post, or are you "dissing" newbie course tilers?
If so, I think I can put up a strong argument if you want to go there?

[Dan]

I also left Topps, on two or three occasions, and I can say it was one of the best moves I made.

I think if a guy's to setup in business, he'd know if it's the right thing to do without thinking about it, IF it was right.

But to ask the questions 'should I?' - would tell me you probably shouldn't at this stage. And it's nothing to do with the market, there will always be ups and downs. As always, it's to do with the amount of business you can get in. So if you think you can get the business in (with knowing the industry generally), then go for it, if you can't, or you're hoping to, then I'd do some more research and hunting around for contacts and the likes before asking yourself the question again.

I can tell you now though, there are tiles being bought today to be fitted tomorrow, and you're the one that knows if your store tile sales have decreased or not mate. And I'm sure you'll agree they're on the up and up generally.

[Thespanishtiler]

not at all captain slow where and how we learn is not an issue only how we do our work

[SlateR]

If i was you, i'd put some money aside so that you have the equivalent of 2 months of Topps pay in the bank and then take a risk and go for it. You're actually in a good position as you could give some business cards to the branch your leaving and you are more likely to get recommendations from your former colleagues over other tilers. Offer the guys a drink for recommending you aswell as this will always encourage the staff to give out your card. It's very hit and miss at the moment, some new tilers are doing well whilst others are struggling. The bottom line is that if the risk is too great with regards to your finances then i'd hold back a little for now but theres nothing to stop you going to do a course in the meantime.

Trust me mate, theres a world of difference between a display held up with hot glue and someones bathroom with proper adhesive where you are being scrutinised by the customer.

Don't make the assumption that your missing a trick due to tilers telling you that they are earning big bucks. They may have just been paid alot of money for the job they have just completed but it can be a lonely profession as a tiler and sometimes your best just isn't enough for some customers

Good luck regardless of your decision

[LM Ceramics]

Lee,

Have I mis-interpreted your post, or are you "dissing" newbie course tilers?
If so, I think I can put up a strong argument if you want to go there?

i didnt mean all new tilers as a few on here and yourself are doing very well but there is alot around preston area ive ear wigged a few conversations in my local tile shops of new tilers constantly complaining about the lack of work

dont take it the wrong way as i know your doing very well.