tiling as a career

[clo]

I want to learn a trade and was thinking of tiling. A few people have said to me that I would be better off doing plumbing as there will always be more work as a plumber. One of my Dads mates trained as a tiler and has struggled to find work even before the recession
I was just wondering what people on here think.

[faithhealer]

Most tilers on here do it because we love it, Plumbing is not easy even though tilers pull them to bits. Either way theres a lot of learning to do, how old are you? have you got the time and the money until you are good enough to earn a wage at it?
Good luck John

[Dave]

what ever trade you decide to do, you have to be dedicated to it.. or it won't work for you...

[Leatherface]

Pick a trade that you think you might enjoy.
If you are genuinely interested in tiling then why not ask a few tilers on this Forum if you could come along and help for a week ( FOC ) to labour and learn for a little work experience.
Sure one or two in your area may be willing to help.
Good luck

[clo]

Im 24. I have been applying to both plumbing and tiling companies for apprenticeships. Obviously I would be ok for work while doing my apprenticeship but im just worried incase i get stuck in the future. I have some experience working for a flooring company and enjoy the work so i thought i might like tiling

[clo]

I know you are right in that I should choose what I like but there are so many jobs advertising for plumbers compare to tilers

[cornish_crofter]

There are two attributes you will find useful for any trade/job

Self motivation

A keen interest in what you are doing

"find a job you enjoy and you'll never have to work a day in your life"

[faithhealer]

I want to learn a trade and was thinking of tiling. A few people have said to me that I would be better off doing plumbing as there will always be more work as a plumber. One of my Dads mates trained as a tiler and has struggled to find work even before the recession
I was just wondering what people on here think.

Even plumbers are finding it hard going at the moment mate, and to repeat, CCs comment, self motivation is the key.

[george792]

I do both plumbing and tiling and which ever you choose the one thing I found difficult was getting the experience, I trained for two years on a night courses for plumbing and have done a few tiling courses, the problem is training in a classroom and fitting in a bathroom are totaly different, Their are only so many friends bathrooms and floors you can do. Their are a few tilers/plumbers who will let you tag along but you can understand why some dont like to. My top tip which ever you choose is learn as much as you can dont cut corners, learn by yours and other mistakes take pride in your work. And its not a sprint it takes time! all the best in what ever you decide

[LM Ceramics]

not gunna lie difficult time to get into the trade and u will struggle to get work if you havent got to dedication and enthusiasum for it i had a busy year last year this month flat on my arse i now thankfully a couple of weeks work booked in after doing alot of ringing around and tons of leaflet drops you need to decide whether this is the life for you you will be struggling to get any type of apprenticeship at the moment

[Muppet Man]

To reiterate a comment above... if you learn by a course (hands on / lectures / whatever), nothing prepares you for what you learn in real life. I learned tiling on a course and in retrospect, it only taught me about 20% of what I should have known at that time. I dont know how I got through my first job. You would probably learn a lot more by trying to tag along with an experienced tiler for a few weeks. Better than any course I'd say.

Good luck!

[clo]

Thanks everyone for the advice, gives me something to think about. cheers

[steve mason]

I started out by doing jobs on my own house and bits for friends after going on a course and really enjoyed it.I gave up a well paid job but long hours now working for myself im happy again and doing a good job which the customer is happy with gives you a buzz.However i was busy last year but scratching around for work at the minute even took some decorating on for a customer after tiling her kitchen! good luck with it mate

[clo]

Thanks mate

[P'boro tiler]

i did the one week bal course as i couldnt afford a more extensive one. it taught me what adhesives etc to use where and how to do cuts and fix tiles. i started off on simple ceramic jobs and learnt all i know from these forums. now ive got years experience behind me i feel like im a pretty dam good tiler and im not too slow.

[Prem Tiler]

good luck buddy I hope you find what ever it is your looking for weather it is a Job you enjoy or a good income or maybe even both at once!

There's thought....

[whitebeam]

Check each trade in detail and what is involved, then will give you more idea which route you would prefer to take

[garythetiler]

you will find the best tilers arent in it for the money, tiling is a tough game to make it pay, you will have loads of people only telling you about the good jobs but in this country we have a lot of housing built cheaply after the war , tilers in the uk face problems that other countries dont have to deal with , out of level floors, poorly plastered out of plumb walls and a largely unregulated building trade for the past 35 years(loads of rough work done cheaply for the lowest price ) ,tilers on the continent tile on perfectly flat self levelled screeds , walls plastered with plumbed plastering grounds all done by qualified regulated builders, in this country you are up against it from the start ,it will mean if you stick at it you will become a skilled tiler able to straighten out walls, laytex floors and be really good craftsman but if you are looking to get rich quick you will be disappointed

[david campbell]

best advice is to check it out and make sure it's what you really want mate,but just like everything,what you put in you get out,be prepared to go that extra mile when looking for work when your starting out!

[kilty55]

you will find the best tilers arent in it for the money, tiling is a tough game to make it pay, you will have loads of people only telling you about the good jobs but in this country we have a lot of housing built cheaply after the war , tilers in the uk face problems that other countries dont have to deal with , out of level floors, poorly plastered out of plumb walls and a largely unregulated building trade for the past 35 years(loads of rough work done cheaply for the lowest price ) ,tilers on the continent tile on perfectly flat self levelled screeds , walls plastered with plumbed plastering grounds all done by qualified regulated builders, in this country you are up against it from the start ,it will mean if you stick at it you will become a skilled tiler able to straighten out walls, laytex floors and be really good craftsman but if you are looking to get rich quick you will be disappointed

good post mate

[whitebeam]

you will find the best tilers arent in it for the money, tiling is a tough game to make it pay, you will have loads of people only telling you about the good jobs but in this country we have a lot of housing built cheaply after the war , tilers in the uk face problems that other countries dont have to deal with , out of level floors, poorly plastered out of plumb walls and a largely unregulated building trade for the past 35 years(loads of rough work done cheaply for the lowest price ) ,tilers on the continent tile on perfectly flat self levelled screeds , walls plastered with plumbed plastering grounds all done by qualified regulated builders, in this country you are up against it from the start ,it will mean if you stick at it you will become a skilled tiler able to straighten out walls, laytex floors and be really good craftsman but if you are looking to get rich quick you will be disappointed

Good post Gary, many years ago we were doing render in some shower rooms for the tilers and everything had to be spot on. All shower areas were exactly the same size and plumb, it took alot of time and expence rarely see it now.

[P'boro tiler]

ive been given newly boarded walls to tile onto that are out by 20mm over a metre!!! and the plasterer got paid! wtf

[hillhead]

Tiling is more of a battle nowadays with the rough work work left by builders and slabbers(plasterboarders).Iv seen some rough ones for sure,some new houses are like houses built 30 years ago,out of plumb,out of level etc !!