What Do I Have To Do To Get Regular Work - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Brian R · 19-07-2007

Is it just me or there other people constantly sitting at home ?

I've been tiling for the past 18 months in the Cleveland area, having completed a short course at North East Tiling.

I've made many contacts ie, plumbers, plasterers, contractors etc. I've had cards in tile shops in three different towns, and only get about three or four jobs from one of those per year, even after i'm sending potential customers to their shops, and buying their products.

I have done work for contractors, plumbers etc., but never get regular on-going work.

I have business cards in kitchen/bathroom companies, window companies and advertise regularly in the local press. Even done leaflet drops around the estates.

I can never seem to get booked up, it's not even feast or famine, just a bathroom one week and sit at home for two, then a kitchen job, and three days off etc.!!!

I've quoted many jobs recently and lost the lot, and my pricing is the going rate of £15 per mtr plus materials.

I give people the best advice when estimating, yet very time people want to know how many tiles they need to order !!!! And end up getting someone cheaper. I'm now thinking of charging for estimating ?

I know i'm good at what i do, i put a lot of pride in my work, and get loads of praise from customers, even plumbers have past praise. I give customers the best advice from start to finish.

But i'm now wondering if i'm in the wrong profession. I've put a lot of time into this and a lot of money.

Are there now too many tilers ? Or am i just the unlucky one. ???

**uug197h** · 19-07-2007

Try quoting your price including adesive, grout, trim and put on your quote NO HIDDEN EXTRAS If You under quote you loose but loosing a bit is beter than loosing it all, I'm quoting around 5 jobs per week and am getting 1 in 8 (this is plumbing and tiling) but a lot of the jobs are for 4 to 8 weeks away I have done 3 days in the last 2 weeks but am now booked up untill mid AUG. Just keep trying you will get there

tiler tom · 19-07-2007

seems like you are trying and perhaps as their are more and more tilers completing these courses then the work is spread round more. Could I be cheeky to ask if you spread the amount over 12 months lets say what do you consider to be an average weekly wage. Considering full time myself in the Manchester area so no chance of me taking work off you.

Brian R · 19-07-2007

Thanks I will keep plugging away, then again i'm too far into this to drop out now.

I always quote with adhesives and all other materials included. It's just mega frustrating when you feel most of them just want to known how many tiles they need ?

I've had a cancellation today for a job that was for an old customer. I tiled her kitchen about a year ago, she was really pleased with it and decided to call me in to do her bathroom. I quoted her and all was well and booked in.

Unfortunatley, i had to advise her that the bathroom needed skimming as it was in a right mess when they had taken the tiles off.

The plasterer she contacted took the opportunity to take the job on in full, tiling as well. Underquoting my estimate. She called and said money's tight and against better judgement she's had to take up his offer.

Very frustrating when at the moment i can't even buy a job !!!!

Brian R · 19-07-2007

Hi Tom, I'm looking to earn around £400 per week. Ever the optimist (well certainly over the past 18 months, not so sure now though ) !!

**Dave** · 19-07-2007

alright brian mate, price your jobs on labour only and get customers to supply tiles and materials , because sometimes when you include materials it makes the job sound pricey. just an option until things pick up.........

tjsmiler · 19-07-2007

Firstly i would find that plasterer and would punch his head in..... that is just not done where i am from!!! robbing another tradesman work.... very big no no!! However if your not that way inclined maybe you could try giving your card to people and telling them they are welcome to your full discount at whatever tile shop you use, and as DH advises give the price of labor only.... it may sound much more pleasing to them..... maybe??

Also ask the customer if they have had any other quotes, ask how much, then match it or beat it......or if you know the customer is lying then stab him!

In your local advertisement perhaps you could put something like 'council tennent discounts' (carefull with that one as you may offend people) or maybe you could put the phrase 'LOCAL DISCOUNTS GIVEN' might open the door to more quotes.

Phone up your old customers and just explain that you are doing very well and are trying to expand and because they know the quality of your work you was wondering if they would take a small bunch of yopur business cards to work with them and hand them out and in return you will give them £30-£50 per every job you get through it. ( you will be surprised how well an ex customer will sell your services for you if they know they will get a drink out of it)

Or phone up ex customers and explain that you are in the running for landing a potentially life changing contract with a big company and because as a past and satisfied customer you was hoping you could use there names in your tender as a 'what people have said type of thing' ......... and in return for this if they reccomend anyone to use your service you will happilly give a nice discount to that person, and you will also give them a nice drink too if you get the job... they will soon tell you of all the people they know who want something done

Just got to think a little bit smart....be shrewder than the average person and don't just do all the normal stuff mate, you sound like a grafter so don't be shy to try any of the above........they work for me all the time.

I have loads of other little tricks mate just ask if your interested via private mail

Good luck pal

TJ

Brian R · 19-07-2007

Thanks lads some good solid advise you've given me, i'll put a lot of that into practice for sure - willing to try just about anything right now !!!

tjsmiler · 19-07-2007

Thats what it takes mate........... untill your up and very well established with the right contacts it's all graft graft graft and a bit of blagging lol

TJ