what we are worth

[swanman]

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post on what happened to me today

I phoned an agency today because they were looking for tilers.I spoke to a lady for more details

She said its wall and floor tiling for social housing so its quite easy work

The rates were *****per hour so i asked the lady why the hourly rate was so low she said because tilers are not classed as a skilled trade


I dont no about anyone else but i thought this was a bit of an insult to say the least.

Why is our trade so under estimated any thoughts

[suave]

shocking statement a know what a would ave said

[mattle40]

Lol that's a disgrace.
As well as tiling myself, I'm employed by a tile shop with a company van and I get about 8.50ph but this is just for displays! So considering that, 8ph is shocking.

[Billy Hunt]

That's crap that is,she doesn't know what she's talking about,I did that type of work a couple of years ago up here in Notts and we where getting £13 an hour which is still crap when you take out your tax/fuel and the fact they only do about 7 hrs on site.

Think she is trying to talk it down so some mug will believe her and work for a wage that is little more than nmw.

You can get more at Tesco's FFS.

[mattle40]

My experience is that people think of it as a DIY job. The phrase "anyone can tile" gets thrown around a lot!
Sadly :-/

[Gall.B]

The problem is there are numptys willing to work for that figure, but they will get what they pay for!

[swanman]

well said mate

I would like to see her tile a 20sqm2 bathroom with 600x600 tiles

[Phil Hobson]

My five year apprenticeship and five years day release at Manchester college of building, and City and Guilds exam, were a waste of time then.

[the diving tile]

We have, Become a tiler in 4 weeks course to thank for that, its the same over here. Some lad on site is watching you tile thinks its handy, next week he is pricing against you.

[John Benton]

A mate of mine is a plasterer, done it for 30 yrs, can do 120sqm + a day on new build but didn't serve an apprenticeship. When work was slow he went to an agency but because he had no formal qualifications they wouldn't even speak to him. He spends half his time going round sites reskimming work done by 'plasterers' that have been on a 5 day course and can make a pot of tea!!!!

Mind you, that's only putting stuff on a wall or ceiling.

Every trade has to know what they are doing otherwise it all falls to pieces and people don't learn a trade overnight.

I wonder what skills the receptionist had - "Well I can pick the phone up and speak at the same time"

[paul flight]

thge people that work in the agency are also unskilled but there on alot more than that . they have not got a clue about what the trades do on site .

[timeless john]

It's no use getting hot under the collar by her comments, the perceived view of tilers is exactly that!
It's been that way since they introduced adhesive in a tub and 108mm tiles 40 years ago and it will stay that way until our trade is forced to reach a standard/qualification or granted a licence to practice the art of being a Professional Tiler.

[the diving tile]

Bring back sand and cement tiling ban the bucket

[nybor62]

bring back the birch for those agency people,

[judge]

Bring back an honest days wage for a honest days work i say

[advancetiling]

saw something similar the other day/£6.50 an hr social housing.what a pity.Its degrading.

[John Benton]

Is that for cleaning?

[Gall.B]

No they get more & better conditions too

[deanotile]

not bad money for fixing two tiles per day and drinking coffee all day

[Del W]

saw something similar the other day/£6.50 an hr social housing.what a pity.Its degrading.

I came across it.
http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tilers...-new-year.html