self employment.....

[Mr T]

yes mate I have literally found every tillers number in my local area and have called them... I even think I called sir ramic before coming onto this site. I simply and respectfully stated that I had recently been laid off (sounding enthusiastic lol) and that I was offering a free hand doing all the mukky work and in return simply wanted experience of the trade and to hopefully if all goes well learn the trade. many of them took my number and said they would get back to me one guy even offerd me a job and told me to call him back and when i tried he never answerd and i even treied off a different number lol. but believe me mate ive really tried every way to do it rite that i can. cheers

 

[Mr T]

thanksmate. i do take it as advice and i can take the criticism. cheers

 

[Colour Republic]

Ok, see I would have left out the bit about being laid off. To you you think it makes you credible I think what did he get laid off for?

 

[Sean SML Tiling]

Mr T well well well. Fair play for sticking up for yourself. I learnt tje trade by being a dogs body for 6 months and I learnt so much but probably learnt just as much on here. When I felt I was ready to go self employed it was tough. I was lucky to get 3 jobs a month but as you grow it does get better. Ive been tiling on my own for 2 years and still unfortunately tiling floors with £5 bnq tiles lol. Which to be honest is bloody hard work as they ain't the same size or flat. I would to have tje opportunity to tile some that Pro tiler does but i know 1 day it will happen. My advice is learn what you can from thosr site do as many jobs for family as you can (for free) and build a reputation before deciding to go for it. Good luck with what u decide to do

 

[Mr T]

Ok, see I would have left out the bit about being laid off. To you you think it makes you credible I think what did he get laid off for?

Ok mate cheers but just for the record it was lack of work.. And I got laid off I think 5 times last year due to the way agencies work... Go into one place of work... Work ur backside off for pennies... And get sent away with noting more than hurt pride due to the fact that your never gonna land a full time job anywhere... And then repeat the process lol.

- - - Updated - - -

And I ahve been doing this since I was 18.

 

[Mr T]

Mr T well well well. Fair play for sticking up for yourself. I learnt tje trade by being a dogs body for 6 months and I learnt so much but probably learnt just as much on here. When I felt I was ready to go self employed it was tough. I was lucky to get 3 jobs a month but as you grow it does get better. Ive been tiling on my own for 2 years and still unfortunately tiling floors with £5 bnq tiles lol. Which to be honest is bloody hard work as they ain't the same size or flat. I would to have tje opportunity to tile some that Pro tiler does but i know 1 day it will happen. My advice is learn what you can from thosr site do as many jobs for family as you can (for free) and build a reputation before deciding to go for it. Good luck with what u decide to do

Hello matey... Yes so it is possible lol... and I can officially say I know what you mean with the b&q tiles lol. Seen smaller bows in a semi circle. I may be jumping the gun a little but I am deffinately capable of being paid for the work that I can actually do. That why I want to start looking into self employment. And im sorry some people see it as such a bad thing. But as long as I have my pride it doesnt matter what others think of my skills before theyve seen my workmanship. I am a tiler and I will be a very successful one in the end whichever route I decide to take that I am certain of.

 

[Diggy]

Not wishing to ( it's too hot ) to go through the whole thread , I'll just refer to OP.

Essentially all you have to do is:

1. Register as self-employed with HMRC.
2. Keep a simple record of your expenses. ( Expenses )
3. Keep a simple record of your invoices. ( Income )
4. Keep a simple record of any tax deducted at source ( If you work for a builder he should stop your tax and send you details of this either each month or at the end of the tax year for each month )
5. At the year end fill the Self Assesment online .

Step 5 is a doddle , given that you probably won't turnover more than £73k ( '11-'12 figure ) you'll just need to do a 3 line account.

IE:

Income - Expenses = profit


Good luck

Diggy

 

[Marksmithtiling]

Mr T why dont you put up some pictures of your work,and let people decide if you can do a decent job.It's hard breaking into this game without some input from somewhere,be it a course or working with an established tiler. As for doing a few jobs for friends and family and thinking you are good enough to start charging the public for your efforts I really do think you need to think again.

 

[Mr T]

im beginning to think that myself mate... my other halfs aunt is having a summer house installed the end of the month and she wants me to tile the floor... why don't I take step by step pics of my work and explain every step in detail then you pros can decide if my workmanship is up to scratch? i think that would calm things down a bit lol

- - - Updated - - -

and thanks diggy

 

[Marksmithtiling]

A summer house, could be a challenge depending on substrate,wooden, screed,etc good luck, look forward to the pictures.

 

[Mr T]

i know mate and it may result in it not even being tiled.... but it cost a lot of money and i said i would have a look at it for her and see what can be done. cheers

 

[AMtek]

Mr T why dont you put up some pictures of your work,and let people decide if you can do a decent job.It's hard breaking into this game without some input from somewhere,be it a course or working with an established tiler. As for doing a few jobs for friends and family and thinking you are good enough to start charging the public for your efforts I really do think you need to think again.

By far the best way for us to decide if your work is up to the job is to put pictures up of the jobs you've done. I know you're saying that you will only do the work that you are happy that you are capable of but what if you agree to a job but when you turn up to do it and the spec of the job has changed? they have bought tiles you are not capable of laying because they changed their mind without telling you? because customers changing their mind happens a lot! would you turn round and tell them that you are not experienced enough to fit them? what happens if they ask how long you have been a tiler or where you served your time? what happens if they ask you if they can see a few jobs that you have done or ask for references? you say that you have been unemployed for a while so how have you afforded to buy all the equipment to do the job to a professional standard? You've done a few jobs for family but doing a job for a paying customer is nothing like working for people you know, most paying customers can't wait for you to finish the job so they can have their house back to themselves and put pressure on you from day one to get the job finished, would you take the time to do the job properly if they were leaning on you to get finished? what happens if you took a job on and the customers were going on holiday while you were doing it then they arrive back and they say the job is not up to standard and refuse to pay you until you have replaced all the tiles and done the job again out of your own pocket?

Their are a lot more factors to consider than just what the customer tells you the job is going to be when you price it up, believe me what looks to be a simple straightforward job at the outset can turn into a can of worms and require more skill than it looked as thought it would take.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

At the end of the day it's not morally right to charge someone for work that is not of the highest standard! Whether it be by a novice or a 'tiler' our trade will continue to be devalued if forums like this continue to encourage wannabe 'tilers'!
Its a different scenario to help a DIY to produce the best possible outcome for their effort, but it makes a mockery of this trade when inexperienced people think that they are good enough to con the paying public into believing they are having a professional job done.
There are certain aspects of this thread ( and I've read it all) that I find disturbing, and some posts that are informative and the interest is high. But I'am with the experienced tilers in my opinion that our trade has no place for chancers and anyone who comes on here to read how to become a tiler is deluded and a reality check is in order.

 

[Mr T]

Cheers for the feedback... I will start to post my jobs on here but will not only post finnished work will make threads and explain the whole job in detail step by step... But if its going to be like some of the comments made in this thread theres just no point im sure by now people know im tryin my best to do thing rite and im passionate about this trade and that counts as much as someone whos been in the trade for year. Cheers guys.

 

[Mr T]

As for my tools mate I have been working the last few months and have only recently signed back on... Labouring in the day... Tiling on the nites and weekends. All the work I have done for free I havnt cut any corners on so there would be no chance of me conning anyone out of there hard earned. Also I walk away from these jobs and I cant sleep wishing I was still there tiling lol. i dont feel like getting into previous posts as it ended up getting petty and pretty immature. The last couple of days this thread has actually been playing on my mind and am doubting my abilities. But that wont be long until I get my hands on a trowel... For someone who is so enthusiastic about this trade and would put so much back into it some of you should be ashamed of yaselvs... I see myself as a hard worker.. Not a chancer or a conman. I would rather work 70.hours a week than sit at home smoking weed and drinkin my dhole money away.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

At the end of the day it's not morally right to charge someone for work that is not of the highest standard! Whether it be by a novice or a 'tiler' our trade will continue to be devalued if forums like this continue to encourage wannabe 'tilers'!
Its a different scenario to help a DIY to produce the best possible outcome for their effort, but it makes a mockery of this trade when inexperienced people think that they are good enough to con the paying public into believing they are having a professional job done.
There are certain aspects of this thread ( and I've read it all) that I find disturbing, and some posts that are informative and the interest is high. But I'am with the experienced tilers in my opinion that our trade has no place for chancers and anyone who comes on here to read how to become a tiler is deluded and a reality check is in order.

Thank you John, a reality check is long overdue for some people imo. I have the highest respect for you and a good few members of this forum, I think they know who they are without me naming them, but there are also plenty of pretenders/chancers who have damaged this trade beyond repair.

This damage/ dilution of skills can never be rectified, you have mentioned in the past that I may have lost some people with my references to some technical or old methods that real pros take for granted.

This industry needs policing to get rid of the wannabees and bring some skill back to what once was a very highly regarded true trade.

Tiling is my passion and the way I make a living, I may be over protective of my craft but it is all I have known from the age of 15yrs. Real tilers will understand my anger at the pretenders, I was invited to sit on TTA fixer training committee and I agreed thinking I could change things from the inside, but I think things have gone to far, we will never see master craftsmen again, once the older fixers have gone to the big swimming pool in the sky.

Long live real TILERS, I will have this written on my polished granite headstone. (I hope some members of TF will help do the polishing).

Small rant over. But come on peeps really. Please come on.:mad2:

 

[White Room]

Thank you John, a reality check is long overdue for some people imo. I have the highest respect for you and a good few members of this forum, I think they know who they are without me naming them, but there are also plenty of pretenders/chancers who have damaged this trade beyond repair.

This damage/ dilution of skills can never be rectified, you have mentioned in the past that I may have lost some people with my references to some technical or old methods that real pros take for granted.

This industry needs policing to get rid of the wannabees and bring some skill back to what once was a very highly regarded true trade.

Tiling is my passion and the way I make a living, I may be over protective of my craft but it is all I have known from the age of 15yrs. Real tilers will understand my anger at the pretenders, I was invited to sit on TTA fixer training committee and I agreed thinking I could change things from the inside, but I think things have gone to far, we will never see master craftsmen again, once the older fixers have gone to the big swimming pool in the sky.

Long live real TILERS, I will have this written on my polished granite headstone. (I hope some members of TF will help do the polishing).

Small rant over. But come on peeps really. Please come on.:mad2:

That has crossed my mind a few times Phil and I've worked with a few old gents in my time...sadly that knowledge is disappearing.

 

[DHTiling]

Here here TJ and PHIL... very well said IMHO..


The trade is now no longer freshly squeezed orange, it is now diluted squash.. simple as that.. everyone and anyone can tile, and we have helped them via this forum over the yrs.. have we done right.. who knows..

 

[Qwerty]

Here here TJ and PHIL... very well said IMHO..


The trade is now no longer freshly squeezed orange, it is now diluted squash.. simple as that.. everyone and anyone can tile, and we have helped them via this forum over the yrs.. have we done right.. who knows..

A double edged sword!

 

[AMtek]

As for my tools mate I have been working the last few months and have only recently signed back on... Labouring in the day... Tiling on the nites and weekends. All the work I have done for free I havnt cut any corners on so there would be no chance of me conning anyone out of there hard earned. Also I walk away from these jobs and I cant sleep wishing I was still there tiling lol. i dont feel like getting into previous posts as it ended up getting petty and pretty immature. The last couple of days this thread has actually been playing on my mind and am doubting my abilities. But that wont be long until I get my hands on a trowel... For someone who is so enthusiastic about this trade and would put so much back into it some of you should be ashamed of yaselvs... I see myself as a hard worker.. Not a chancer or a conman. I would rather work 70.hours a week than sit at home smoking weed and drinkin my dhole money away.

Its clear that you have some passion for the trade but you need the skills to go with it before you can start charging people. End of

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

As for my tools mate I have been working the last few months and have only recently signed back on... Labouring in the day... Tiling on the nites and weekends. All the work I have done for free I havnt cut any corners on so there would be no chance of me conning anyone out of there hard earned. Also I walk away from these jobs and I cant sleep wishing I was still there tiling lol. i dont feel like getting into previous posts as it ended up getting petty and pretty immature. The last couple of days this thread has actually been playing on my mind and am doubting my abilities. But that wont be long until I get my hands on a trowel... For someone who is so enthusiastic about this trade and would put so much back into it some of you should be ashamed of yaselvs... I see myself as a hard worker.. Not a chancer or a conman. I would rather work 70.hours a week than sit at home smoking weed and drinkin my dhole money away.

Ash mate I will never be ashamed of myself, because I have spent my whole life honing my skills. I have been there and done that, I am not whistling dixie here. I think I am a decent tiler, I have worked all over this world and been foreman to some of the best tilers on this (or any other planet). I don't see enthusiasm ever replacing experience.

I do wish you well in your efforts but as said above don't get ahead of yourself. Tiling is a very highly skilled trade. And always will be, if it is done right.

 

[Mr T]

Its clear that you have some passion for the trade but you need the skills to go with it before you can start charging people. End of

I never said I didnt agree with people who have already said this matey. And il be happy to let you guys judge the work I do from now on and then hopefully I can get the pros support and advice in the future. Its not all about the money for me and maybe ive jumped the gun a bit... Im just eager lol.

 

[Mr T]

I wasnt aiming it at anyone in particular and it wasnt about skills its just some of the comments on here seem like they come from kids. And some of those are from me also. Ive looked. Through many of the galleries of you guys and your work is something else I have the upmost respect for you and hope to atcheive the same quality of work in my galleries one day.Cheers

 

[Dan]

Don't mind me while I bump some old but popular threads to see if the topic is still active in some way. Wondering if either the original idea or original issue still exists. I've done this with quite a few threads, so don't be offended if this is just jargon these days and not applicable. But I thought there might be a small chance a small percentage of the small number of threads might just be slightly applicable and the thread could get a new lease of life.

Reply to this if you've read a bit and have something to say. 🙂
There IS going to be a bigger chance when i do this, that the thread is dead. So don't worry if that's the case, just don't reply to it, and we'll all move on and let the thread drop out of view again.

Bump Bump Bump

 

[Dan]

Bump.

Just doing some bumping up of old decent threads. Don't mind me. Just ignore them if they're not current threads for you.

 

[Dan]

Just bumping some of the older popular threads. Probably wont be current discussion these days but I just need to do it. So just ignore the thread if it's not current for you.