pricing???

[divcelt]

i recently posted that my son is considering a course and have been given some good solid advice.
could anyone please answer
average metere charge excluding tiles?
and aprox amount of metres someone should cover once up to speed.?
any advice on pricing would be really helpful as there are several ads in local papers with totaly different pricing.
some quote including all materials, labour and tiles and some quote for labour and all materials with exeption of tiles.
thanks again
div

[Dan]

Div,

The price range can vary so much depending on the area you're living in and what-not. Generally you'll always have the £10 per meter including adhesives and grouts but if they're advertising in the local rag and have done for some time the chances are they don't get too much work and what work they do get, you wouldn't want your son to do for the same amount of cash.

Once he's up to speed with his products and tiles and he starts to fit more tiles per day he wants to charge something around £20 - £25 per meter + adhesives and grouts. And then let the customer select the tiles.

Now generally, he can save the cvustome3r a bit of cash by allowing them to share his discounts on adhesives and tiles and things but his labour should always be priced well.

If he starts fixing stones and marbles or even ceramics on a 45 degree (diamond tiling) then he needs to at least stick another 50% on his prices. So his £20 becomes £30 per meter... or his £25 becomes £37ish.

Don't just follow the newspaper advertising bunch down the '£10 per meter all in' road.

Once up to speed. You'll find it's possible to hammer big floors, fitting a good 20+ meters (at least) in a decent day with a labourer feeding you tiles and mixing for you. Wall tiling can slow your average down a little due to the amount of cuts.

Pricing does jump around a fair bit per area though. Where there's competition you'll find there are lower initial prices but I doubt that in the end the tilers in that area work for less. It's just they way they get the customer to call them, from then on it's SELL SELL SELL - selling yourself and your skills.

Hope this helps.

[tony TLC]

yep im with dan on this one good advice
as prices will vary from town to town
i live in wales and charge£17.50psm for ceramic and im classed as not cheap
you pay peanuts you get monkeys
hope this helps

[NETT Darren]

Bit of a cheek really but what you do is ring three tilers in your area to quote for your bathroom and see what prices they come back with,, measure the room yourself and work out the average price, this will give you a better pricing for your area, Ring the tilers from a tile shop,, pop in and pick up some cards,do not call the ones from the papers as Dan says

[GazLC81]

Originally Posted by darren, NE TILING TR

Bit of a cheek really but what you do is ring three tilers in your area to quote for your bathroom and see what prices they come back with,, measure the room yourself and work out the average price, this will give you a better pricing for your area, Ring the tilers from a tile shop,, pop in and pick up some cards,do not call the ones from the papers as Dan says

Think that's a bit of a generalisation isn't??? Not everyone who advertises in the papers is a cowboy!!

[Dan]

Originally Posted by GazLC81

Think that's a bit of a generalisation isn't??? Not everyone who advertises in the papers is a cowboy!!

It was me that said that and yes you're right mate.

I was just really using it as an example. But you can find cheaper charging tilers online, in yellow pages, local and even recommendations.

I never mentioned their skill level though, both good and bad (or cowboys as you put it) tilers would get caught in a price war, which is typical in the local papers with only having 3 or 4 lines or so to explain yourself.

The point I was trying to make was to not assume you can only earn the lowest per meter charge in your area. If you sell yourself you could be the highest charging tiler, and still get months booked up front all the time.

[GazTech]

I never employ anybody who just offers me a phone number.The best of the best are the tilers or any trade who's cards or advert has their printed address on them,how many of those do you see in the local rag ? what do they have to hide?

[Varley]

I don't put my address on my card, not that I have anything to hide, but what if you go to quote a job and the customer says 'can you do it next week', to which you reply...'sorry i'm away on holiday'. 2 Weeks later your replacing all your furniture.

Just something to bear in mind.
----
Having your address on your cards will make you appear more trustworthy, but can you trust everybody that picks up your card?
----
Oohhh, that was very philosophical of me for this time of night

[GazLC81]

OK, i see the point you are making when you put it like that. I know there are a lot of guys out there who can charge next to nothing because they also collect their dole every week, these are the ones that as you say don't want to give out an address etc.

Gaz @ Topps, are you saying people should display an address in the local paper with their advert? (personally think it's not a bad idea, just would cost a fair chunk more in advertising)

In every trade there are people who have no interest in doing a good job and building a decent reputation. I don't think it matters if they advertise in the local paper or have a page spread in the yellow pages! the only thing you can do is trust your instinct, you get a vibe from people when you meet them as to if they are decent or not.

I advertise in the local pape., I am only starting out and have just completed a 4 week course at Chase Tiling Academy. I know I have a LOT to learn but want to get a reputation as a good tiler and not set out charging very little just to get work.

Anyway, thats why I felt I should challenge the opinions i read.

[NETT Darren]

Varley is correct on this one on the address on business cards, it has no relevance at all for anyone to know where you live, plus it takes up a lot of valubale space on the card, Only things important on the card is Name, Numbers and what you do

[trevortine]

Mixed opinions lads! Once you build a good rep you will find no need to advertise. I've never had cards out or adverts anywhere for about two years now and am always booked up. Promt response to calls, be there when you say you will, do a good job and TIDY UP!

[Leatherface]

Well.....................

I have tiled for as low as £20 per sq metre labour only for builders. Usually I charge between £25 and £30 incl for ceramic. £30 to £35 for porcelain incl. And £40 to £50 incl for stone.All depends how busy I am, if I want the job or not, if I think the customer will pay more, if the job is on recommend or not, if they are buying tiles with my discount.
In my view there is no average - just what each tiler feels he needs to earn / or can get away with ( you are not ripping a customer off by charging £35 per metre for ceramic if you do a good job and they are well pleased with the end result )

With regads to business cards- I have my home and mobile numbers and also address on the cards. I feel that it gives the customer more confidence that you are not a fly by night tiler. My cards are printed both sides so plenty of space.