Becoming a full time tiler

[martyb1965]

I was a tiler in Spain where all the jobs were cash paid and the cost of living was low so despite being inundated with work, there was no worries if I didn't work for a week or two.
I do the occasional job for people I know but am thinking of going self employed as my current job as an advisor is driving me bonkers.
If anyone out there has any recommendations or advice on what you charge for a daily rate etc, it would be very welcome.
Thanks.

 

[adlplumbing]

keep your day job the whole industry going down the pan at the moment
or atleast be able do other things like the rest of the bathroom or kitchen but properly

 

[hobhead]

keep your day job the whole industry going down the pan at the moment
or atleast be able do other things like the rest of the bathroom or kitchen but properly

+1

 

[Graemevw]

I was a self employed tiler for 10 years, i quit about 2 years ago but not due to lack of work. Relocating due to family issues ment it was better for me to take temporary full time employment.

Ill be going back to being self employed early next year by the looks of it.

Alot of tradesmen went under 2 years ago but if you were good, clean working, polite and not too expensive the work was still out there.

In all those ten years i think i advertised about 6 times in local papers.

Average daily wage for me was around £120-£140.

To put that in context an average sized bathroom, full height walls and floor i would do in 4-5 days and would be around £600 plus adhesives.

Obviously there was NIC and tax to come out of that, as well as other costs (insurance etc)

My living costs were pretty low though, no kids, council flat, so i would generaly only work 2-3 weeks a month

I am also a sucker so if i knew people didnt have much money i'd charge a bit less.

I dont know how many jobs you have done before, but the biggest thing with doing this self employed is being able to spot all the possible problems, and already know how your going to overcome them, before you quote. This comes with experience which for all i know, you may already have.

I very rarely did site work, mostly private.
Private is nicer and less stress but sitework can often pay more as you have more consistant work and more to do so less wasted time.

Not sure if that helps at all.

 

[martyb1965]

Thanks very much for the valued advice. I too prefer private jobs and have a great rapport with the customers. I'll stick with the advisors job but will go self employed if things get worse.
Merry Christmas. ;0)

 

[mikethebrush]

Hi Marty

tilers in cheshire are on about £200 a day

its like any other trade, you dont charge by the day, you charge by the m2 so the more you stick per day the more you earn per day

no spanish manyana here

there is a shortage of decent tilers in this country so if you have the skills pm me and i will put you in touch with the best pros in the country