Armed Forces leaver

[0667firmi]

hi all im leaving the army in the next 6 months and im booked onto nvq and advanced tiling course. i would like some info about going on my own i have an ex soldier working for me whats the best way to advertise etc.. this is a big risk for me as i have 5 wonderful children so this MUST work or we will be homeless. all info and help is much appreciated

many thanks

Rob

[0667firmi]

sorry i meant to say i want to have an ex soldier working with me

[Sir Ramic]

I think you are putting too much pressure on your self. Work at the moment is hard enough to find, I really pity newcomers at the moment .
You say you will have someone else with you ? You will find that your average bathroom will not have room for 2 working bodies. Another thing you will find is that 2 do not do double the work yet there is only one pay packet at the end of the job.

Do the course by all means but try and see if you can get some other work too to back yourself up.

As for advertising I think a website is one of the best ways but you will need photos of your work for that to work. Word of mouth is the cheapest form of getting work but again you will need to have done the work first. Please dont fall for all these companies that promise you work for a fee, they rarely even give enough work to cover the amount out laid .

[0667firmi]

thanks sir ramic so what would be you best approach if you where me i mean i have got the tiling course, plastering and electrician all happening before april 2012. i understand that i need experiance but i have very little time and with my tribe of kids i really have limited options i have responsabilities so i am trying to get everything planned because april 2012 that is me on my arse in the big bad world trying to fend for my self and to be honest i cant really afford to be on labourers wages and i would rather be a trolley mong in asda than go on the doll

[Sir Ramic]

Even if you leave these courses able to tile etc you will still be competing with established tradesman and women. What ever you are promised on these courses I would take with a pinch of salt. I dont deny that you will learn from them but dont expect to earn what they claim. I am sure that it is possible in a good climate but we dont have that at the moment !
Personally I would drop the idea of having another person with you on the job for a start. Its every man and woman for them self at the moment.
I have been on this forum since Jan 2008 and seen newbies come and go along with the more established tilers. I will say it again, Its a cut throat world out there !
It is sometimes a case of not what you know than who you know. Having been in the trade for over 33 years I know of tilers that are just scraping a living, some that have given up and of course some that are doing quite well.
If you take a look at one of our members Phil Hobson. An exceptional tiler IMO, Job of the month winner, a very knowledgeable man all round but he still has to find work.... I would have thought from his portfolio that work would be knocking at his door 24/7 !!! These are the type of people you will be competing with, they will want that job you are quoting for just as much as you but with their know how and trade discounts etc , they will be in a better place to do a deal.
Sorry it sounds so harsh but just trying to make you aware of the situation.

I am not against these training centres, far from it. I would rather see some form of training than some guy just buy the tools and think that is all he/she needs. I would also be interested to know how many that have taken courses are still trading after a few years.

[Sir Ramic]

This is a good thread to read ...getting new customers

[0667firmi]

you no its becoming more apparent that its definatley not easy and after your comments i am definatley going to keep a plan A,B and C but i am going to start a thread to see who have completed the course and how well are they doing sir ramic you are a gentleman and a scollar

[andy allen]

grate advice from sir ramic, ive been tiling for 30 years and at the moment im sat on my arse waiting for the phone to ring, this years been harsh to say the least up till now ive managed to tick over, mainly from recomendation , i know it will pick up, and with my contacts with tile shops, builders, plumbers ive spent 30 yrs getting to know, something will come in, however without these contacts/recmendations you will struggle big time.

[enduro]

Have you thought about Tile & Grout cleaning? This is a big un-tapped market at the moment. I started tiling in 2006 after doing a course and was lucky to know a few builders & Plumbers who gave me a good start. I still tile for them but i like doing the cleaning, repairs etc. I do alot of natural stone cleaning and repairs a bit more specialised, but Tile & grout cleaning is worth a thought. ( If your based near me then Tile & Grout cleaning is a waste of time so dont bother!!...Ha Ha )

[suave]

welcome along

[jay]

Good advice above

[paul damian]

hope everything works out rob, cant give you any more advice than above.good luck.

[b30 villain]

good luck with it all fella

[turnip]

not being funny, if you say you'd rather stack shelfs than go on the dole, then have a quick reality check. You have five kids, your looking at least 30K benefits plus housing benefit paid and council tax paid. School dinners paid, after school clubs paid. Think about it. Best advice is dont be too proud to use the benefits system.
Speak to the jobcentre, you can get yourself set up in a trade, you have paid your taxes and now you need back what you have paid into the system. The jobcentre can put you on a course to retrain, save your own money.
Considering the current economic climate THIS is the best way for you to provide for your family especially in the short term.

[0667firmi]

yeah maybe but even if i end stacking shelves the benifits system still tops us up if its low income i will never go on the dole. i will succeed in something but maybe the tiling game is just not the way as so many as u state its hard to get into so maybe i should look into different trades, a shame really i really was looking forward to tiling