Im not a professional tiler by any stretch of the imagination as......

[ian158]

.........I have only really started this year, installing bathrooms and tiling, I am learning, and thank god for this site, so i thought I would post pictures of a job I did for my mate, the biggest job ive done so far, and the first time ive fixed 300x600's. i hadn't owned a large tile cutter so a lot of the cuts I had to do with a wet cutter, but Im pretty proud of my efforts. But i am amazed at some of the jobs ive seen on here, very envious at what you guys can achieve. I would love to spend a week with one of you just to see how its really done.

[hillhead]

Lookin good there Ian

[doug boardley]

looks well mate

[Mike]

looks like a job well done, pat on the back

[Bubblecraft]

Well done mate. Looks the dogs. I'm sure if you've followed guidelines on here, it will stay that way for many years to come!

[Bathfix Bob]

Looks amazing Ian, do you work on your own?

I do full bathroom refits aswell, hard graft though on these big jobs.

[carlito]

Quality Ian mate. I've just started this yr as well. I'm in the same position as you, done a few jobs i will put up on here over crimbo. It seems a right ball ache gettin someone to accept the free or cheap labour in exchange for some experience. Its as though some think that if we cant get to watch someone we will end up leaving the trade and there will be more jobs for them. But we are here for the long haul! Anyway off to go do some brick pattern for the 1st time. Wish me luck!

[bobbynz]

Quality Ian mate. I've just started this yr as well. I'm in the same position as you, done a few jobs i will put up on here over crimbo. It seems a right ball ache gettin someone to accept the free or cheap labour in exchange for some experience. Its as though some think that if we cant get to watch someone we will end up leaving the trade and there will be more jobs for them. But we are here for the long haul! Anyway off to go do some brick pattern for the 1st time. Wish me luck!

I’m not sure that mightbe the reason some wont take on anyone even free or cheap. As for myself, I wouldn’twant to put some effort into training someone and have them take off on thereown after a short time. Then it would beas the member said in the thread you refer to. End up with competition thatwill be semi or little trained charging very little and give the client areally shoddy job.
And I’m not talking about a few lippy tiles orirregular cutting. That’s easily fixed. But It’s the poor prep, incompatiblematerials, and sub-standard applications and technique that only come from askilled Tiler.
This doesn’t happenevery time but a half cocked Tiler can do a lot of harm to the industry veryquickly.
But I’m sure that if youintend to stay around like you say, and you hang out with the guys here, someone may give you a chance.
But don’t forget, even if you do a day now and again for free. For the Tiler who is good enough to expose you to some valuable knowledge, It will still cost him in time to show you and teach you which most of us don’t mind doing. Its still time he’s not producing.
Most of all, focus on what you can contribute to both the Tiler whose teaching you and the Tiling Industry as a whole.
But if you want to make heaps of money very quickly then Yes you “will end up leaving the trade and there will be more jobs for them” that are in it for the long haul, they wouldhave done the hard yards over time ,who may have startedjust like you. So hang in there, we do want you to succeed, but we want to see how bad you want it

[ian158]

Looks amazing Ian, do you work on your own?

I do full bathroom refits as well, hard graft though on these big jobs.

Yep I work on my own, i only get in a mate on the initial rip outs to help out, 1 or 2 days, as I hate clearing up ! But in reality im quoting around £*** a day but i more often than not go over by 1 or 2 days so day rate becomes less ! some say im too cheap, but im quoting against others and im not far off, and in some cases more expensive, Im either too slow or the others are mega quick ! bearing in mind Im doing everything for that rate, be it plastering, prep, plumbing and tiling, dont know what you guys think on the rate ?

[ian158]

Quality Ian mate. I've just started this yr as well. I'm in the same position as you, done a few jobs i will put up on here over crimbo. It seems a right ball ache gettin someone to accept the free or cheap labour in exchange for some experience. Its as though some think that if we cant get to watch someone we will end up leaving the trade and there will be more jobs for them. But we are here for the long haul! Anyway off to go do some brick pattern for the 1st time. Wish me luck!

I would understand if I was to ask someone local to spend a week watching, but I would prefer further a field so there is no question of "nicking there work" so to speak. Its just the cuts I need to spruce up on and how to overcome certain things, ive made mistakes, and some stupid, just through rushing and not thinking but getting there, no major cocks up as yet though !

[Bathfix Bob]

Yep I work on my own, i only get in a mate on the initial rip outs to help out, 1 or 2 days, as I hate clearing up ! But in reality im quoting around £*** a day but i more often than not go over by 1 or 2 days so day rate becomes less ! some say im too cheap, but im quoting against others and im not far off, and in some cases more expensive, Im either too slow or the others are mega quick ! bearing in mind Im doing everything for that rate, be it plastering, prep, plumbing and tiling, dont know what you guys think on the rate ?

I give a set labour price and estimated materials, that way its less stressful for me as it keeps the customer from worrying about how much they will be charged, have done at least 25 full bathrooms so I know roughly how long it will take.
I don't think we can discuss prices on here though, maybe because it leads to too many arguments?

They let you on the plumbers forum though!

[kingnewport]

ruddy hell I only chrage £*** a day when tiling

[kendo1]

Not too bad. I'm being picky, but trying to help
Look at the reflection of the window in pic 2 as compared with pic 4. You have to stand back every now and then and inspect your work.
Having said that, the floor looks pretty neat.
Did you replace the W/C inlet?

Ken

[whitebeam]

No day rate quoting in the open forum guys.

[kendo1]

No day rate quoting in the open forum guys.

Especially at those £****rates!

[ian158]

Not too bad. I'm being picky, but trying to help
Look at the reflection of the window in pic 2 as compared with pic 4. You have to stand back every now and then and inspect your work.
Having said that, the floor looks pretty neat.
Did you replace the W/C inlet?


Ken

not sure what you mean regards refection, inlet was existing, he was going to paint it dark brown. i suggested chrome but he didnt want it.

[kendo1]

The customer is always right!
I meant the reflection of the window on the tiles: it's staggered, showing that the two tiles are at different angles.

[paul flight]

Quality Ian mate. I've just started this yr as well. I'm in the same position as you, done a few jobs i will put up on here over crimbo. It seems a right ball ache gettin someone to accept the free or cheap labour in exchange for some experience. Its as though some think that if we cant get to watch someone we will end up leaving the trade and there will be more jobs for them. But we are here for the long haul! Anyway off to go do some brick pattern for the 1st time. Wish me luck!

dont expect other tradesman to help other than on here . they are to buzy earning a living !!the work is out there . the more you do the better you get . experience is learnt not give away for nowt!!!!!