Becoming a new tiler

[purleyite]

Hi,

I just wanted some advice really,

Am i living in a dream world to think that if i do a 4 week tiling course that ill be able to start up my own business afterwards?

I have done some tiling before, private jobs and a few days here and there with a couple of local companies.

Would i realistically be able to make enough money to live on, baring in mind that i know ill have to get a part time job in the evening and some temp work at my current company when i dont have any jobs booked.

many thanks,

Greg.

[GirlRacerRed]

Times are very tough at the moment Greg. it's a real mixed bag as to which tilers and tradespeople are doing well and which are struggling.

Maybe consider going about this a different way if you can - get a decent enough day job, and do the tiling part time in the evenings and weekends to allow you to build up your ability and confidence.

It won't be easy to go full time into a self employed situation straight away.

GRR

[basshunter]

agree with above

[brian c]

the tiling course should give you an insight on how to run your business with regards to tax,ni,setting up accounts,sole trader or ltd.The course if its a good one should give you the skills to tile to a decent level but ultimately its up to the individual.My advice would be to do a course,get some jobs for family etc and see how you feel after that.Its very hard getting work at the minute,so for that reason i would keep my job and tile part time to build up speed and skill.Good luck..oh and where are you based?

[purleyite]

thanks guys,

i kind of thought you might all say that, as it would be a bit of a risk to quit a fairly steady jobs to do something 'unsteady'.

just getting a bit fed up with working for other people doing something i dont like.

i am based in the hant/berks/surrey area.

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

good luck to you mate,keep chaseing your dream!!

[Ken Bruty]

I agree with the other guys, with the work being a little feast and famine at the mo, due to other trades muscling in on our territory as it were, if I were starting out now, I would want a more regular source of income until things pick up, but on the positive, just think how much repair work we will all get when all the problems start occurring in 1-2 yrs, and you building your experience up at weekends and eves can't be beaten to get your confidence up.

[david campbell]

pretty much ditto the above comments but at least you have some tiling experience behind you and it would give you a head start over someone who has never lifted a trowel before!

good luck anyway

[Wingn]

If you've done work with a few local companies (I assume that's tiling companies), you'd be far better doing your course and then seeing if they will give you a start. A lot of tiling work is through who you know, it's important to have good contacts and that doesn't happen overnight.

Then when you've got a few thousand metres with the company under your belt and feel confident enough to go out on your own, you'll have a good solid learning base and a few more contacts.

For some odd reason there seems to be this strange obsession for everyone to go out on their own after they do a tiling course. No shame in working for a company - a watchful eye, constant training without costing you your reputation, and a steady wage.

[faithhealer]

Hi,

I just wanted some advice really,

Am i living in a dream world to think that if i do a 4 week tiling course that ill be able to start up my own business afterwards?

I have done some tiling before, private jobs and a few days here and there with a couple of local companies.

Would i realistically be able to make enough money to live on, baring in mind that i know ill have to get a part time job in the evening and some temp work at my current company when i dont have any jobs booked.

many thanks,
Greg.

Hi Greg, go for it, you have back up resources for income. Tough going at present but the job satisfaction is great.

[Phil Hobson]

I agree with the other guys, with the work being a little feast and famine at the mo, due to other trades muscling in on our territory as it were, if I were starting out now, I would want a more regular source of income until things pick up, but on the positive, just think how much repair work we will all get when all the problems start occurring in 1-2 yrs, and you building your experience up at weekends and eves can't be beaten to get your confidence up.

I remember the last recession, and the aftermath of putting all the bodged jobs right. Something to look forward to. What ever you decide to do mate, I wish you the best of luck.

[Ajax123]

stick with the secure income and tile part time until things pick up would be my advice

[lcjohno]

If you can do it round your job now then i would do that until you feel like you have enough work to do tiling full time. I started a year ago after being made redundant, if i could i would have kept working at least part time. Its been hard work, especially the cash flow. Good luck!

[albyshellshear]

build up a portfolio of your work if you do a good job a lot of work will come from word of mouth, but this takes time in any new business its all about sales and your selling yourself but dont sell yourself short. The course will give you confidence plan to succeed and like anything you do the more you prepare the better the end product.

[LM Ceramics]

For some odd reason there seems to be this strange obsession for everyone to go out on their own after they do a tiling course. No shame in working for a company - a watchful eye, constant training without costing you your reputation, and a steady wage.[/QUOTE]


That is spot on mate i trained up with a local firm and sent to college infact i picked up more confidence and tips off different tilers then when the work went dry i decided to set up on my own after abit when i was struggling to get my own work i went back to working with a tiling firm