Any tilers in Manchester want a free pair of hands?

[MikeyH]

Hi guys,

I came on here especially to post this and noticed that only 32 minutes ago someone else has posted a similar question but in a different area, so if this kind of question gets asked all the time you'll just have to excuse me.

Im asking if any tilers out there who are still busy would want some free labour, fetching, carrying, brewing up etc. In return im hoping to get a bit of knowledge in tiling and see how a professional goes about it.

Ive not done any tiling before, im going on a short tiling course in the next weeks to learn the basics, but i realise theres only so much you can learn in a classroom. Even if i learn enough to do my own, and maybe some close friends it will be worth it for me.

Thanks

[Dave]

Yes a few do ask if they can learn with another local tiler.. some get lucky and land a free spot and others don't..

[faithhealer]

where are you doing your course at Mikey

[Phil Hobson]

Where abouts in Manchester are you Mikey?

[whitebeam]

Good luck mate

[DJS]

I'm based in South Manchester. Got a small floor to tile later this week in Didsbury.

I'm renovating my gran's flat (RIP). It's been up for sale for two years, and their was a long term slow leak in the flat upstairs so it has ruined all the decorating and some of the floor tiles popped up in winter when things froze. So I've been using my spare time this year to get through all stuff that needs to be done - especially as my mum is paying for it!!

So it's not a fancy job, but your welcome to come and help mix up some addy, cut/pass some tiles and of course putting the kettle on

[MikeyH]

Hi lads, thanks for the fast replies!

Im doing the course at stockport, and its the cheapest one i could find locally, but im doing it over 2 weekends around work. There were a couple of other 4 day ones for a bit more money, but i know theres only so much they can show you in 4 days anyway so i went for the cheapest.

Just to let you know a bit about myself, as someone has informed me that from a tradesmens point of view whos never met me i could be any idiot and it could seem more of a risk than anything having someone tagging along. Im 24, currently working full time for an engineering firm driving the forklifts and operating the crane. Lived in tameside all my life and am currently living in ashton with my misses.

Also i should have mentioned that ive got to try and find people who could use a pair of hands either in the evening, weekend or when i can try and get a few days off. As far as im concerned, its even worth booking holidays at work for me to learn a bit. If your wondering 'what will i get out of it?' well im a grafter you certainly wont need to bend down picking up tiles and my brews are the business. I know its a long shot but worth asking i think. Also, if by chance any of you guys needed any website work doing that could also be whats in it for you, im handy with a computer and have a couple of qualifications in website design. Just never wanted to sit at a desk all day and do it for a living so i do the odd 'foreigner' from home.

Thanks DJS, very nice of you to offer mate, have you any idea which day you'll be doing it or would i best asking you later in the week.

Very much appreciated!

[Phil Hobson]

Hi Mikey, I am working in Woodley at the moment. PM me if you want to call in (pretty local for you).

[DJS]

Hi Mikey,

I'm not sure what day now, but you are still more than welcome when I do it. I'll take note of when you're available too

I had a couple of calls today and my works plans are likely to change for later this week. I'm only allowing myself to change plans because it's a family funded job paid for by the executors of my grans estate (I.e. my uncle & mum), so it has a lower priority than a proper paying job!! Something they don't teach ya on a tiling course...lol.

I'll let you know later in the week once everthing get re-arranged (Wed/Thurs).

[Dan]

Mikey,

I insist you give Phil Hobson a call and go see him on this job while you have the chance to meet a real tiler who cares about training quite a bit, actually on a job, in the real world.

There aren't many budding tilers that would have this chance with Phil.

[doug boardley]

Hi Mikey, I am working in Woodley at the moment. PM me if you want to call in (pretty local for you).

Phil, not only are you a credit to TF, but a credit to the Tiling Industry as a whole. Top man!

[Dan]

+1 on that one Dougy mate.

[Dave]

+2 from me.. deffo TF top guy..

[DJS]

Couldn't agree more. Experience with a well established tiler is an opportunity not to be missed.

I've recently started up on my own, but you're still more than welcome to come down.

I did a 4 week course in Plumbing & Tiling after spending 2 years working for a company doing so called 'property maintenance'. Couldn't work for that firm any longer due to lack of quality in finish, so that's why I setup on my own! Before that I had about 18 months plumbing experience. And before that I worked in an office/finance.

Even with the little experience I have, I still come here reading up/asking questions and the help from these guys has been great. You came to the right place if your thinking of starting out

[MikeyH]

Thanks lads, ive spoke to Phil and hes welcomed me to join him on a job anytime which i was over the moon with after seeing the jobs hes done they're stunning. Thanks very much i think i may have dropped lucky and plan on making it worth Phil's while too doing any fetching and carrying.

Thanks alot DJS! I'm struggling for time off work at the minute which is a pain cause i really wanted to go and see phil but he doesn't work evenings or weekends so when im off in the next couple of weeks im going to see if i can still go up and join him. In the meantime if you ever want a pair of hands in the evening or weekend i'd jump at the chance mate and again ill try to make it worth your while too, you wont be bending down for any tiles mate.

Thanks to such a friendly and helpful bunch of guys!!

[Phil Hobson]

Wow, thanks for the kind words guys.

[Dave]

He doesn't work evenings or weekends... .. thats coz he is always on here now.. semi retired you see..

[Phil Hobson]

I wish Dave.

[andy-p]

I would love to meet the " legend" that is Phil Hobson as well , any time your in Scotland give me a bell mate and i'l buy you a drink..

[Phil Hobson]

Wow thanks Andy, truth is I am no legend. Just a mature (in years only) tiler, who likes to do a decent job for people who spend their hard earned cash. I would love to meet you mate, I will buy you a pint.

[Dan]

I think we all chip in and rent a small hall in the NEC one day, setup a bathroom, couple of kitchens, a conservatory etc in the middle, have seating all around and all watch Phil tile for a whole day

We'll have lots of "silent" posters everywhere like a library and free pen and paper in bags when you walk in like you get at most of the shows at NEC.

What d'ya rate? Perhaps even a bar at the end of the day opens.

[Phil Hobson]

The bar bit sounds good Dan

[Dave]

Even get a good day rate for him or FREE beer..

[DJS]

Mikey (& others!),

Just to update you on things.

I've had to do the job I had in mind, because there is a viewing at the flat this week and my mum has been cracking the whip to get it done. I was hoping to hold it off until this Saturday, so I'm sorry you have missed out on that. I thought this would have been good for you, as it was a small job, and you could have got involved in many different aspects such as setting out/mixing addy/wet-cutting/roto-zip holes for rad pipework/laying tiles etc.

I do work most Saturdays, so I'm sure there will be another chance in a few weeks time. I'm working in Leeds next week, so doubt you would want to travel up there!

Next job I have lined up round here is a diamond/chessboard hallway with a border, running through to a 2nd room with WC/Basin.

The customer has started it himself and looks like he has got out of his depth. Done all the prep wrong with SLC covering loose-wire UFH on loose floorboards!, UFH already used with no tiles down (cracks in SLC everywhere), started tiling in WC room with a full tile - no proper setting out, so god knows what the tiles will end up like at the front door/entrance. The job was started about 18 months ago, so I think the S2 pre-mixed tubbed addy he bought from TOPPS is past it's use by date too.

I have written to them and told them of my concerns and why I would not guarantee the work, if they just want me to finish it as it is. I have also offered to rip it all up and start again with an de-coupling membrane. I'm just waiting to see which way they decide to go. I really hope it's the latter!!!