Question for all of you in the know

[ns29]

Hi all.
Im after a bit of advice please.
Im thinking of a career change and am interested in tiling. Any info will be a great help. Most importantly, is there much work out there? What sort of money can be earned? Im just turning 30 and have a family so the need of regular income is paramount. Any advice will be a great help. Many thanks.

[Fekin]

If you are able to start tiling around your full time job then I'd go for that for a safe bet.
That way you will continue having your regular income, plus whatever you get through tiling, slowly building up your customer base.
I would never recommend quitting the day job and trying your luck at anything self employed in this climate at the moment.

[ns29]

If you are able to start tiling around your full time job then I'd go for that for a safe bet.
That way you will continue having your regular income, plus whatever you get through tiling, slowly building up your customer base.
I would never recommend quitting the day job and trying your luck at anything self employed in this climate at the moment.

Thank you for your advice, I appreciate you taking time to post a message. I am actually self employed at the moment in the security industry and work is very slow. I dont enjoy the work anymore either. So a change is due. Just dont want to change from one career that is quiet to another that will be quiet. Thanks again

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i would advice against it at the moment to many tiler allready out there imo m8 sorry

[ns29]

I should have added that i live in Essex, close to London. Cheers to all replying.

[GirlRacerRed]

hi ns29

even a lot of our established and long serving tilers have been struggling this year. the industry is picking up from what we can see, but it's still very slow for lots of tilers. and there's also the problem of cowboys and chancers - those who call themselves tilers but do a less than quality job, take the money and then disappear when something goes wrong and the customer wants them to put it right.

you will be better off taking it slowly. do a course to learn the basics - there's a tiling training school in Essex, and start off by doing small jobs on your own house and for friends/family, and build up your confidence, ability and expertise from their before tackling bigger jobs.

I wouldn't say don't attempt it at all, just think long and hard about whether it is something you want to do for a living

[Fekin]

Thank you for your advice, I appreciate you taking time to post a message. I am actually self employed at the moment in the security industry and work is very slow. I dont enjoy the work anymore either. So a change is due. Just dont want to change from one career that is quiet to another that will be quiet. Thanks again

Do you have any experiance in Tiling at all mate ?

If not then I'd go for a short introduction to tiling course, see the basics, and take it from there to see if it's something you can turn your hand to

[CJ CERAMICS]

agree with GGR best to keep the money coming in from your job in this climate.......do small jobs as extra income to see if this is the career for you.......as you say you dont enjoy your present occupation and work is slow.......sadly though you may not enjoy the trials and tribulations of tiling full time and work is slow in our industry for a lot of tilers too.
think carefully as its sometime better the devil you know.
if you do decide that tiling is the life for you.....I for one wish you the very best.
chris

[ns29]

Do you have any experiance in Tiling at all mate ?

If not then I'd go for a short introduction to tiling course, see the basics, and take it from there to see if it's something you can turn your hand to

I worked in reinstatements for years, doing block paving and slab laying. Which involves setting things out, laying and grouting just on a bigger scale. I am doing a taster day on thursday at a tiling school in Essex. Its something i think i will be good at for sure, I'll try a few jobs at home first to be sure but i think i will be quite competant at first and could become pretty good. Just want to try and get some knowledge from people in the field already. I dont want it to be a career that is up and down. I suppose its down to your ability and how much you put into it though.

[Fekin]

I dont want it to be a career that is up and down. I suppose its down to your ability and how much you put into it though.

Exactly, and luck plays a large part too

[ns29]

agree with GGR best to keep the money coming in from your job in this climate.......do small jobs as extra income to see if this is the career for you.......as you say you dont enjoy your present occupation and work is slow.......sadly though you may not enjoy the trials and tribulations of tiling full time and work is slow in our industry for a lot of tilers too.
think carefully as its sometime better the devil you know.
if you do decide that tiling is the life for you.....I for one wish you the very best.
chris

Thanks very much. Really appreciate it. All the best

[hillhead]

You seem to have a bit of confidence already and with that taster lined up and maybe a few jobs around home you could have as good a start as some.who knows what the future holds.good luck.

[whitebeam]

Do little jobs first, never bite off more that you can chew.

Hi and welcome

[Daz]

Hi & welcome,

Tiling was the best career move that I made, but the climate is taking it's toll on some.

There are a lot of things to consider before you decide whether this is the career for you...as an example......

This week I have had to carry boxes of tiles up an aluminium ladder to first floor (not easy when balancing with one hand on the ladder). Same goes for a 22kg bag of addy.

There is generally a lot of prep work (knowledge needed) before you can start tiling.

There are many more reasons why a tiling career is not as joyous as you may, initially think, but personally it's the best move I ever made.

I may not be that far from you, so if you fancy a "baptism of fire", PM me and we'll arrange a couple of "days of fun" .

Either way, enter with your eyes wide open and you'll do well.

Good luck,

Daz

[Dave]

I may not be that far from you, so if you fancy a "baptism of fire", PM me and we'll arrange a couple of "days of fun"

Now thats a gentleman....

[ns29]

Now thats a gentleman....

Indeed it is. Nice guy

[ns29]

Indeed it is. Nice guy

Not sure why i posted that twice!

[Dave]

Not sure why i posted that twice!

what...

[ns29]

what...

Hmm! The short reply i sent to your post came up twice but one seems to have gone now!
First time in forum and not exactly a computer whiz!
Im sure my tiling will be better than my forum skills!

[grumpygrouter]

Hmm! The short reply i sent to your post came up twice but one seems to have gone now!
First time in forum and not exactly a computer whiz!
Im sure my tiling will be better than my forum skills!

That will be Dave performing his magic "disappearing trick"...........