b&q

[py rookie]

hi peeps,

just in need for some advise,im trying to get more work,how would i go about getting in with the big diy stores or do they have there own tilers???

[Dave]

They do sub work out but your best bet is just to approach them..

[Alan.P]

Many of them have a list of fixers, couldn't / wouldn't hurt to ask to put some cards on their boards, same goes for your local tile suppliers, go in, have a chat with the lads and the manager, see if they'll display your business cards

[kilty55]

for b and q you need to call them and ask for the number for trades recruitment

you then apply with a named team to be vendors and all your lads will get disclosures done
once your accepted they come and check a job your on

i dont think you can just put your name down for tiling but if you have decent trades you do bathrooms with you can all apply as a squad

[devonmark]

there is a donwside to this....you will fixing their tiles

[chrisprendy]

Lol devonmark

[CB TILING]

have had customers in the past tell me they dont use the b&q fitters because off their price of a full bathroom refurb.best bet for work is your local tile shops and local builders/plumbers these do ok for me

[jasonj]

Last year i did 30 bathroom fits for B&Q as a sub contractor via my carpenter who is a main contractor to B&Q mainly on their kitchen fits. He then took on the bathrooms. There are a few things to take into account with going to B&Q as a contractor.

1. You must have a CRB check done on you.

2. You must have a minimum of two million pounds public liability insurance

3. Any plumber must have an up to date Gas Safe Certificate and insured to two million pounds

4. Electricians must be fully qualified part P certified and insured to two million pounds

5. Tiling with their tiles..................

To be honest, and as unpopular as i may sound i have had worse tiles from Topps and local suppliers on my private work. In 2009 B&Q had half a million in compensation claims against their tiles, particularly the polished porcelain against them. They do buy end of batch stock and seconds from major tile manufacturers in the UK & abroad. So over the past year they have improved their product range and product suppliers.

And if im honest, last year i only ever had 1 issue with their tiles and they were Mocha wall tiles. The work is not the best paid but at the time is was a means to an end as where i live everybody seemed to be going to B&Q for the 3 or 5 years interest free credit option for kitchen & bathroom installations.

They charge the customer a minimum of £55 per metre for labour only and the customer buys the tiles on top! Around my area £20 per metre plus materials is the average rate for porcelain & ceramics. B&Q, depending on your area will pay you £24 per metre and in that you have to supply the materials and ontop of that you have to deduct your 20% CIS tax. I had to change my materials from Mapei to Weber purely for the price of the materials and now have 100% converted to the Weber products as i have tried & tested them and for the price the Weber products have saved me money...alot of money.

Unless you know a local contractor to B&Q it is very difficult to go to them just as a tiler. If you have a plumber & carpenter then you stand alot more chance of getting work from them as a team. Currently they seem to have the market on bathroom installations and trust me they charge big time to the customer! When i started it used to get right up my nose everyday, but once you get your head around the fact that they earn 100% just off you, you have to be proffessional about it and weigh up wheather or not your private work will keep you afloat alone or having regular work form them.

It is hard work but you can make a living from it. I hope this helps you see the overall picture of what it is like and i am able to answer your questions at anytime. Get your disclosures done and apply to their Central Distribution Centre and ask to speak to the Site Manager and he or she will send you a fitters pack with all the information you need.

Good luck

Jase

[kilty55]

good post jase