work?

[CJ CERAMICS]

hi all just wondering if there is anyone else out there at the moment who is finding work hard to come by or if its just me watching cash in the attic.
cheers
chris

[batiling]

Pretty slow in macclesfield but phone just starting to ring this week,starting a new job tomorrow that came from posting cards in just about every shop in town so give it a try

[CJ CERAMICS]

been to all local tile, bathroom, plumbing, property letting and estate agents that i can find and dropped business cards.
Also posted by hand 20,000 a5 flyers in local area still nothing, had a couple of calls through local papers but work not to start till april and im sick of hoovering now lol. hopefully things will pick up.
cheers chris

[andy-p]

its funny but ive got a rake of work at the mo , im working flat out later nights and the occasional saturday to keep up , looking good right through till april but its only from one source , i havent had a single phonecall this year for a private job and nothing much from other sources , its been my busiest start to the year but also the quietest if that makes any sense??

[rossy]

been watching daytime tele myself done leaflet drop today and going out tomorrow dropping leaflets just hope it picks up soon doing mrs head in me being at home in daytime

[batiling]

I also found that if you can do anything else(painting/handyman services etc),this sometimes gets your foot in the door.I dont tell anyone im a decorater but i can paint so am just honest with people and its got me a couple of jobs in the past.Im putting flat pack together nxt week but im not a joiner if you get my drift

[rhyd4]

had 2 weeks off for crimbo but work ever since, got 3 weeks booked in but it does get down to the final week then the phone rings

[whitebeam]

Been ticking over quite well but the phone is quiet, getting work off plumbers and couple of other trademen

[andypandy]

January was pretty quiet for me but towards the end of Feb I was getting more calls than ever, booked up till the end of April now, working lates, Saturdays and even the odd Sunday to keep up.

[whitebeam]

Grab it while it's there Andy

[oldgit]

im in norfolk.
this is the quietest ive ever known, the last recession aint got a patch on this one.
ive had 2 calls in 3 weeks,i do local rags YP as well as 2 tile centres give out cards around 70% come from referals.
ive lived here 7 years and have a really good reputation, to good for my own good im told at times,as i tell the punter the right way and will only do the job properly and not bodgit and leggit as many do in this area.
ive done about 10 days work since the middle of december.
there is imo no point doing more advertising as chasing no work thats not there its pointless,as calls pick up i will do a bit more legwork or advertising.
but for now its a case of sit it out.

[CJ CERAMICS]

this recession is definately worse than last one but the doom and gloom media coverage telling everyone that we are in the do-do's isnt helping.
most customers that i have been out to qoute to (3 in the last month)
want the work done for basically nothing. went to a bathroom 2 weeks ago measured 18sq. walls need replasterboarding as the were shot plus the tiles were too heavy for plaster skim. gave them a price including p/board which i was fitting free just cost of board. they said that another tiler had quoted them a price which worked out at 10 psq including p/b.
he had no portfolio to show them or any references from customers which i always have with me but they obviously went on price.
chris

[whitebeam]

I'm finding this recession nowhere near as bad as the last as of yet, I remember a builder I know well has even taken a couple of guys on recently but the last recession it was the first time I'd ever seen him in the job centre.

[wall2floortilin]

i am aware of a large number of tilers in my area that are more than just thinking of packing in as they havent had a job since xmas, we are stcked out, its been like the xmas run up for us, we are having to pull 7days again just to get through the work. im knackered.

[Daz]

I'm not gloating, but I'm struggling to keep up with the work and having to sub some out. It's 95% domestic, I've put my prices up and I'm having a ball .

Keep working at your marketing and networking as it is more important during than these economic times than ever before.

Good luck and I hope it picks up for you.

[wall2floortilin]

part of your sales pitch in this climate is dont move, improve! but dont just wait for the work to come to you, open the yellow pages. look at builders, kitchen companies, plumbers and bathroom fitters, either phone, send letter or flyer or even pay them a visit.
Remember you are not selling your pictures, you are not selling your quote, you are selling yourself and its the image and proffesional attitude complete with a pleasent manner and you are more than half way there.

[timeless john]

It must be difficult for those who are just starting in the building trade at this present time as you don't have the references to back up your work or the contacts to provide new work. When there is a lull in the market as at present it usually sorts out those on the edge and leaves a stronger body of skilled trades when it picks up. There seems to be a mixed response to the work question and in 35 years since I started this is the only one that I've realised that there is a slowdown. Although my market is solely domestic and therefore not affected directly through builders, there are more 'tilers' out there for fewer enquiries. My only advice is be careful about those new commercial enquiries - who have they used previously, and did they get paid. I've said it before - take pride in the job,show you enjoy it and a reputation will grow.
As to the work question - end of April and that is more than we've had for 3 months - so happy times!

[Stonebro]

I think there is a lot of work "storing up" because 90% of the customers coming into our showrooms say "the builders doing it" - keen to spin out their jobs.

However we are already seeing problems since Christmas - My floor has cracked/my shower has leaked/Tiles have come away from the wall. I bite my lip and tell them they need to get a proper tiler round - but the only solution may be to redo the job. Then I get them a chair and a sweet cup of tea. One lady had paid £9000 and the job is absolute pants.

Which make me think, we should have to licensed like Corgi gas Fitters, and Part P Electricians. Every customer would get a piece of paper, listing products and methods used, and a guarantee period (that is Insurance Underwritten - may cost us £10 - £20 per job). We may all have to pay like sparkys and gas guys do, to do refresher courses, but it would slam the door on MR HAVE-A-GO and his £30 tile cutter. Plus if the customer needed that piece of paper for their House Sellers Pack - they would think twice about letting a Jack of All Trades do it.

What do you think????

[Dave]

I agree david...

check this out>>>>> Should the uk tiling trade be licenced...?