New Career! Any advice well appreciated! :D

**M.Riches** · 06-01-2010

Hello people

, i am new to this forum and to be honest didnt know where to start at all!
I am going to be starting an 8 week tiling course in 4 weeks time with a bit of plastering tied in with that too, i am really just looking for any advice that you tilers out there have to offer! I am going to be starting up self employed once finished the course and i know its going to be alot of hard work, so i am not expecting an easy run at all! Ive read alot of threads about peples first years ect and it does sound challenging and cant wait to crack on with it myself!... any advice on starting up business, tool costs, what tools to buy, pricing, anything really

will be well appreciated!

Look forward to hearing form you all!

Cheers

**Aqua Tiling** · 06-01-2010

im also a new tiler, read my thread "getting out working", you will find most of what you need. the guys really helped me and would recommend you read it.

good luck

**Aqua Tiling** · 06-01-2010

also someone to get in contact with prem tiler

**M.Riches** · 06-01-2010

Alright Cheers mate

**diamondtiling** · 06-01-2010

Hi, I think you should get the course out of the way first, you might not take to tiling and if you buy tools etc then you might waste money if its not for you.
If you do like it then you will have been able to try the tools on the course and decide if you want to buy similar equipment.
You have to start right at the beginning, try and do some jobs for friends and family so that you become familiar with different tiles and adhesives etc.
Wall and floor prep will be your main concern as you start out, get this right and you wont go far wrong. Courses can only do so much, you need practical experience in the war zone and this only comes with time.
Dedication, tenacity and turning out quality work is the way forward. Get these things right and your on the right track.
Be practical when looking at potential work, can you really install a wet room after doing an 8 week? some will say yes, most will say no.
Get around the tile shops and introduce yourself, have some cards made up and distribute them, they are no good in the glove box.
Pricing also comes with experience, no tiler (professional) will just tell you what to charge because he/she has spent years doing what your trying to learn.
I hope you stick with it and you can let us know how you progress.
Good luck.

**M.Riches** · 06-01-2010

Hows your setting up going can i ask..?

**M.Riches** · 06-01-2010

My last reply was to aquatiling....... Cheers for the advice dimondtling

, good bit of information and your totally right about experience ect. Ive always been hands on and hopefully will take to tiling and enjoy doing it! As i say my course isnt for anther 4-6 weeks so will keep you updated on how it goes.... Cheers again

**Aqua Tiling** · 06-01-2010

im doing ok, got a few jobs this month, this might sound stupid, the best thing i did was to go to the local pubs every night for a pint, and get talking to builders that are in there. so far i got to no builders, plummers and a kitchen fitter. im new to my area as well so i think thats making a bit harder, i dont no a lot of people dwn here.

and as prem said to me, get t shirts made up and wear them everytime you go out, as i did to the pubs.

my buissness cards i got from 123print.co.uk, the cheapest i could find.

im nearly complete, need to some bits, and a van (if the snow would let me out), all i need is confidence.

as i find things out, ill let you know.