Concentrating On Tiling

[philrab66]

Hi all
I have been a self employed handyman for around 4 years and tackled loads of different sort of jobs. I always feel I have to rush because I always under price the job. I have been thinking recently that I would like to stick to doing 1 thing. I have a lot of carpentry/ joinery experience but only at handyman level I guess. I can do most things to a decent standard if I could not I would not take the job on. Anyway I have been thinking should I get into tiling at least I could set myself a £per (m) . This is one reason I want to move onto something else, my challenge is not doing the work but pricing the job . I have tiled a few bathrooms and kitchen floors and they are acceptable but not to a professional standard. I understand that it is not an easy jump I would have so much to learn. Has anybody else made a move like this?
Thanks Phil.

 

[White Room]

Small jobs price per day, whatever your day rate is.

 

[philrab66]

I suppose I really want to get away from the small jobs. I have been working for a landlord for the last few months doing 3 total refurbs and it is much better to have a decent bit of cash at the end of the week instead of little bits here and there . I am charging him a hourly rate have got around 4-6 weeks left with him.So I have been pondering the best way forward, well looking at options I guess. My main problem is I will go to look at a job and think it will take me this long to do, charge them so much per hour, But if it is only a couple of hours by the time I go and quote then I normally go over job mentally to make sure I have everything so not making extra trips, go and do it, you think to yourself is it worth it. I know people will say charge a minimum but people wont pay say £75 to put up a curtain pole for instance. Anyway rant over . The joys of self employment.

 

[Dan]

You have to consider the fact that once you're charging the same price as a skilled experienced wall and floor tiler, you need to be one.

I'd seriously consider doing a wall and floor tiling course at a good established training centre. Check they provide a segment on pricing up the job. They should all provide advice on what adhesives to use in various situations.

 

[philrab66]

Thanks Dan
Have been thinking about that over the last few days. I have done a short plumbing and plastering one that gets my by within my current work. Was looking at the Durham one last night he seems to cover pricing etc.

 

[Dan]

There's a few up north. UK Trades Training (Darren Yorke) is one that's always had loads of good feedback, and we've got tilers on here that have been tiling for years now after doing his courses.

 

[philrab66]

I was scanning an old thread last night about Darrens course. Looks like it would be ideal.As somebody mentioned to me on here before tiling is the easy part. I really enjoy learning new things and it sounds like Darren has a knack of it sinking in so I may go for it. Is he a member on here may send him a pm to see if there is a waiting list.
Cheers Phil.

 

[White Room]

Might try ringing his training centre first, may get a faster response.

 

[Dan]

@UKTT Darren but not sure if his email address is the same so if he would get an email notification.

Give him a bell.

 

[philrab66]

Just contacted Darren he said he was having a long summer break and not sure when he will return. Dan you said there are a few in North East have seen superskills but can not find any reviews. Are there any-more?
Thanks Phil.