Hi everyone

[andy5405]

Just introducing myself. I'm a kitchen and bathroom fitter and do my own tiling. I'm not quick but I get good results. I'm always keen to learn about all aspects of my trade and I would like to get quicker and better at tiling. I had a good read on here last night and liked the feel of the place so I signed up.

 

[Gazzer]

welcome to TF

 

[Qwerty]

Welcome

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome....

 

[DHTiling]

Another multi trader.. welcome. 🙂

 

[peteablard]

:welcome:

 

[Paul Smith]

Welcome to the forum 😉

 

[gamma38]

:welcome:

 

[AliGage]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[andy5405]

Another multi trader.. welcome. 🙂

Yes, the multi-trade thing seems like a curse sometimes and a bonus at others. It's great not having to rely on too many subbies and I like the variety I get at work. However being a jack of all trades and master of none has it's downsides. My primary aim with everything I do is quality so that means I'm slow as I don't specialise in any one thing. I could do quick but quality would suffer.

However it has it's advantages as I assume with everything that I do that I don't have all the answers and I'm always looking for better ways to do things. That can often put me ahead of specialists who think they know everything and haven't moved on or who repeatedly work with a flawed method as that was how they were taught. Their thinking is often supported by the fact that they are unaware of any catastrophic failures. The "I've used PVA as a tiling primer for 30 years and none of my customers have been decapitated by a falling tile" attitude doesn't wash with me. I regularly ring the technical helpline available on all adhesive packaging to get advice and it has taught me loads.

Anyway enough of that, my primary aim for being here is to significantly improve my tiling method and speed with the help and advice from the experts on here. I've tended to do more kitchens than bathrooms over the years as the amount of tiling involved in bathrooms has put me off as I'm too slow at it. I want to do more bathrooms in the future and the only way it will be viable is for me to get a lot quicker at tiling.

That's a big question. Does anyone have any advice on that one?

 

[AliGage]

Do more bathrooms.

I personally don't have any issue with multi traders (sort of used to be one but have always been a tiler first and foremost as that's my trade and its what i love)
My only issue with multi traders are the ones that don't do the job correctly. In my opinion offer as many services as you're competent in. But do each one correctly.

 

[John Benton]

Another multi trader.. welcome. 🙂

Stop it Dave, you'll be getting a name for yourself :lol:

 

[John Benton]

Welcome Andy, you'll be be sure to pick up plenty of good info and practices on this forum.....but be prepared.

 

[DHTiling]

You have to right attitude and that helps , the only way to get quicker , is with experience , no other way.

The more you do , the more second nature things become.