Bored of basic tiling,GIVE ME SOME FANCY WORK!!!

[peckers]

Im getting bored of basic tiling work, I feel as if i need to get my teeth back into some real detailed intrigate work again.

When i use to live in guernsey I use to do some fine tiling installations which could have a mixture of different tiles,sizes and designs,(something that used to make you scratch your head and wonder how you were going to make this lot all work togeather) and when they were complete you could stand back and be really proud of what you had achieved!

Well we left there and returned to devon/cornwall and even though there has been a few nice jobs, they seem to be getting more and more basic, nothing to really give you a challenge and to put your skills and experience to the test!

I feel that the jobs that seem to be coming my way a good DIYer could make a good job of it with the knowledge and advice they are able to get from this site

I know with todays climate that i should be greatfull for any type of work.
But its starting to get like reading the same newspaper over and over.

I suppose if you build chimneys then you need to be where the chimneys are, perhaps i need to move or try advertising some where.

Has anyone else found that the varyation of the tiling work they are getting has gone down?

[timeless john]

Just the opposite!
As you get older/more experienced you should be able to choose your work!
You have to set your stall out to suit your capabilities and interests.
If you enjoy a certain aspect of the tiling game - be it mosaic/stone/victorian etc. - the passion you show to the customer who enquires is what will win you that type of work and the jobs that are available will become the ones you get!
Mind you in the same breath if I'am on 2/3 Victorian jobs in a row, its great to have a nice straight wall tiling job to come along and get you up off the floor!
Variety IS the spice of life but I can never remember being 'bored' with tiling - there is never enough hours in the day when you are working - but I do remember working in a Bank when I first left school and clock watching all afternoon (that's being bored).

[peckers]

Just the opposite!
As you get older/more experienced you should be able to choose your work!
You have to set your stall out to suit your capabilities and interests.
If you enjoy a certain aspect of the tiling game - be it mosaic/stone/victorian etc. - the passion you show to the customer who enquires is what will win you that type of work and the jobs that are available will become the ones you get!
Mind you in the same breath if I'am on 2/3 Victorian jobs in a row, its great to have a nice straight wall tiling job to come along and get you up off the floor!
Variety IS the spice of life but I can never remember being 'bored' with tiling - there is never enough hours in the day when you are working - but I do remember working in a Bank when I first left school and clock watching all afternoon (that's being bored).

I read what you are saying and agree, what i was trying to get across was that 99% of the customers in my neck off the woods tend to just stick to the basic layouts as it seems that is what they are used to having or seeing! But when they all seem to be the same it gets a bit boreing, A change is good and a variety of different installations would be even better, its like going to visit wookey hole you are stepping back in time and nothing seems to change much!
You can set your stall out to suit what you are trying to sell, but if you aint got the punters to suit then you need to change your stall, or move your stall to where the punters are that require your perticular goods
But i do agree with you john

[Sean fsy]

The fancier the job obviously the more time and cost effective it is and in these hard timese no body wants extra cost when JUST PLAIN will do. Just obey the last command and if they are happy move on to the next one. Tiling is great as not two jobs are the same be it room size , tiles or what ever. Plus your not stuck in the same place for to long. I like the travelling around the county and meeting new customers.

[faithhealer]

When my current customer said he had picked 'beige tiles with a two row trav mosaic border I screamed inside but complimented him on his fine choice on the outside

[Phil Hobson]

Hi peckers, I am going back to my jotm entry on tue, the slate mosaic. customer decided she wants bath panel tiling in the same. Problem is she wants a inspection panel ( how the heck?) You can do that for me if you want

[whitebeam]

These might help Phil Schlüter-REMA - Schlüter-Systems

[Daz]

Since becoming addicted to Tilersforums I have really enjoyed viewing everyones work and I have taken a lot of inspiration from many of the jobs. i have won work by discussing these inspirational ideas with clients at quotation stage.

I have suggested that customers have floor patterns with mosaic borders, inset diamond mats, bullnosed edges on stone etc. It has meant that even a "straight forward" kitchen floor has become thought provoking and a great challenge.

My fellow tilers on here have given me some great ideas and I continually strive to convince customers to allow me to be creative for them. Discuss ideas at the estimation stage and when the customer realises that they can have a "bespoke" creation for very little extra you'll be surprised at how many will take up your offer.

But a TJ says "Variety IS the spice of life but I can never remember being 'bored' with tiling"

Good luck.

[faithhealer]

These might help Phil Schlüter-REMA - Schlüter-Systems

trying these for the first time this week, not expensive either

[Phil Hobson]

These might help Phil Schlüter-REMA - Schlüter-Systems

trying these for the first time this week, not expensive either

Thanks guys, I have used these and others in the past. My problem is my customer dosn't want straight lines, thats why its going to be a pain. The mosaics are dog toothed, like a jigsaw how do you get over that. I'm sure I will, but will have some thinking to do. You need to check out my jotm entry to see what I mean

[Dave]

Phil.. can you not just make the whole panel removable if needed..?..

[Phil Hobson]

Cheers Dave, that might be the only way to go. Might be a bit heavy though I am meeting the joiner on tues. so we will work it out. Never gets boring this tiling lark. does it?

[Dave]

It doesn't..LOL... but my thought is the panel will probs never need to come off, so making it a whole removable piece will be neater.

Just a thought.