Its impossible to win!!!

[Perfect Tiling]

Hi all out there. Just found out that two jobs that Iv'e priced recently I have not got as I have priced too high...the reason is....I am the only one doing things right?? I use hardibacker when tiling onto floors but other tilers around here use 6mm ply (because they always have done). They get a carpenter to lay the ply by just nailing it down (no priming on reverse or edges) and then come in and tile it...I prime the floor, put down a layer of adhesive, then hardibacker and screw at 250mm centres leaving a 2-3mm gap which I cover with mesh tape fill with adhesive and sponge level. So the other tiler is bound to be cheaper...and the company selling the tiles says that is how they want it done so they get the sale...if it goes wrong its down to the fitters!!! What is a proper tiler to do...do I stick to my guns and do everything correct (my company name is Perfect Tiling) telling the company that they are wrong (biting the hand that sometimes feeds me)...or do things wrong to get the work hoping that floors wont fail???

[Dave]

Stick to your guns and leave the cowboys to sign on..

[andy allen]

try to explain to them your quoting to do the work correctly, and point them to the forum for a reference on how to do the job properly, and how not to..

[whitebeam]

I know with a lack of work for some the temptation might be there but if it goes belly up it's you that will be getting it in the neck..

[kilty55]

your not alone perfect tiling.PLENTY tilers here doing the same thing

[enduro]

Tell the customers to come on here explain their tiling jobs. Then once they get advice from the forum members they will see you are the right guy for the job.

[Perfect Tiling]

Cheers guys...problem is that most of the jobs are priced through a drawing so I don't always see the customer. When I can actually see them I make a point of comparing between hardi and ply

[CJ CERAMICS]

It is a very tricky situation and a hard question to answer. In an ideal world the guys who pride themselves on their work and only use the best SHOULD ALWAYS get the job and the cowboys should be signing on. But sadly an awful lot of people are now going down the cheapest quote route. A lot of good tradesmen are losing business and money by keeping their standards. Me personally I have refused to lower my standards and working practices to maintain my rep and can honestly say that i too am losing work because of this...but i would rather find another job than go down the cowboy route and take money for a job that i knew was substandard.

I know that this probably gives you no help what-so-ever with your question, but i feel that it is only yourself that can answer this question Honestly as each individual circumstance is different and you have to do what is best for you and yours.
chris

[Stewart]

I give a full and itemised quote with a schedule of works (sounds overkill, but really easy to do) then explain to the customer, why I charge what I do and if they get a cheaper quote they need to compare it with mine to see exactly what they're getting for their money. Nine times out of ten, they go with me, because they have all the info they need in their quote.

You'll never stop the customer going with cowboys if they are motivated by price alone, and to be honest, they're not the type of customers you want. Stick to your guns and the quality customers will soon get to know of your reputation for only doing a quality job properly.


Created on iPhone.....

[Dave]

It is a very tricky situation and a hard question to answer. In an ideal world the guys who pride themselves on their work and only use the best SHOULD ALWAYS get the job and the cowboys should be signing on. But sadly an awful lot of people are now going down the cheapest quote route. A lot of good tradesmen are losing business and money by keeping their standards. Me personally I have refused to lower my standards and working practices to maintain my rep and can honestly say that i too am losing work because of this...but i would rather find another job than go down the cowboy route and take money for a job that i knew was substandard.

I know that this probably gives you no help what-so-ever with your question, but i feel that it is only yourself that can answer this question Honestly as each individual circumstance is different and you have to do what is best for you and yours.
chris

I give a full and itemised quote with a schedule of works (sounds overkill, but really easy to do) then explain to the customer, why I charge what I do and if they get a cheaper quote they need to compare it with mine to see exactly what they're getting for their money. Nine times out of ten, they go with me, because they have all the info they need in their quote.

You'll never stop the customer going with cowboys if they are motivated by price alone, and to be honest, they're not the type of customers you want. Stick to your guns and the quality customers will soon get to know of your reputation for only doing a quality job properly.


Created on iPhone.....

Good advice lads..

[impish]

Educate your customer face to face and in your quote.
If they won't be educated, then let stupid customers use stupid tilers!

[jay]

Just a thought what if any guarantee will you get from the adh manufacture if you use 6mm ply

[TheWrightTiler]

none at all jay bs is min 15mm

[jay]

Well there's your answer ,you need to educate potential customers to this issue remember you are the tradesman

[TheWrightTiler]

its the same as a punter stating that they will sign a waiver if anything goes wrong, this paper is only good for wiping your backside as you the professional installer should know the correct installation guidlines for substrate prep and tiling prep and if you dont do it right, paper or not the law is on the consumers side, not the installers,

many a time ive walked from a job due to the clients insistance that prep be missed or done cheaply, id rather walk than pay again if it goes belly up,

i know in these times money is tight but that should not come at the price of a good job, believe me you will end up well out of pocket, as dumb as they might act most punters are well clued up on the law thanks to cowboy builders, rogue traders etc,

if the customers want it done cheaply trust me they are not the customers you want, get it in writing as stewart says, an itemised quote with a schedule of works saying exactly what they will be getting for their money

you tell me its gonna cost 1200 for my bog to be tiled, i ask what, how much
you tell me its because you use hardie and tanking and that although its a bit more tanking saves money due to leaks and hardie doesnt rot like p board and that my tiles and grout require sealing therefore saving my family time in cleaning im gonna be christ this mans thinking of my family in the longterm not just after a quick buck im gonna go with you,

its in the name of the game some you win some you lose and the old saying do it right first time and then the 6 ps

prior planning prevents **** poor performance

andy