Tiler for £12 an hour??

[paulthe spark]

Whats everyones views on other trades rate? Must say it annoys me a little the fact we seem to be on the same par as plasterers, painters and tilers now. No disrespect but these trades are not as technically skilled as electricians so why is this not reflected in the rate? We have to pay and study for courses and liable if someones house burns down but other trades not subjected to this are paid the same or not more? Ive heard electricians were always the best paid years ago so whats changed? I cant see the justification, sorry rant over but would welcome peoples views

 

[SafetyFirst]

I know an industrial painter who gets more than me!

 

[paulthe spark]

It seems everyday i hear other trades making more than me incuding painters and decorators. Someone told me a tale of bricklayers not getting out of bed for less than a grand a week ( this was when times were good) which totally shocked me. Im gonna take up grasscutting i hear it pays well ha

 

[colin500]

Tiler for 12 quid an hour .... have to get his number, round Edinburgh way its £22/25 an hour + materials !!

 

[paulthe spark]

unbelievable

 

[Spudnik]

Unusual for them to have an hourly rate as they normally charge by the m2.

 

[Adam W]

They'll be the next ones to go then - "Earn 50k+ being your own boss painting/tiling/plastering after a 7 day distance learning course which I can sell you for 10k".
The best thing we can do is promote the fact that this is all lies.

 

[R.Sparky]

come on guys cut them some slack all we do is put wires in things... LOL

We need more pay!

 

[GStueyXR]

I think to be fair, everyones time is equally irretrievable..... Lying on her deathbed the average toilet cleaning lady will wonder why she sold 33% of her life so cheaply.

 

[Des 56]

I have no grout with tilers

 

[colin500]

Maybe the problem is in customers percieved value for money, when they walk into a room thats been freshly
plastered/painted or tiled the usual reaction is wow (if its done right).
when they walk in and you`ve put in 2 extra sockets and swapped the lightswitch faceplate its more like
great, you want HOW MUCH !
Jason .S your right it is normally by area however I noticed on a couple of invoices its sq/yards

 

[paulthe spark]

Don't get me wrong I have no grout with any these trades either. I was only using tilers as an example. the point I was making was we should be paid more due to the responsiblity and the qualifications we have to put ourselves through to keep us up to date when this doesn't apply in most trades. But that's only my opinion each to there own i say

 

[paulthe spark]

Electrics hasn't really got that wow factor has it ? Ha

 

[ezzzekiel]

other trades tend to be the finished article, poor tiling looks rubbish whereas electrics mainly hidden and mrs smith only cares about what she can see.

but all tradesman have a valuable skill, wether one is better than the other is dependant on the trade you do, although it was always considered that sparks are top of the tree

 

[pennywise]

It's because all the other trades have a go at electric's badly, kitchen fitters, builders, chippys etc they devalue our trade by undercutting us, as you say it's not a finish based trade you see a socket or a light switch thats it, no one would be any the wiser as to how well it's been put in,only when it goes wrong and the customer gets a shock when the qualified guy tells them it been done incorrectly and the previous person should be shot

 

[SEC-Tom]

I'm in the wrong trade.

 

[Dave]

All trades are worthy of a good pay packet..

Electrics has it's speciality area's that not all sparks do, same with plumbers, not all can do gas etc..

I am a Tiler by Trade and i specialise in Natural stone work, tiling is a lot more specialised than it was say 20 yrs back.

Every trade has it's average Joe's and they will just want to earn a wage and then go home,, nothing more..

You charge what you think you are worth.. and i know some sparks that are on very good money... so don't undercut your selves charge proper rates.

 

[joethepudding]

I believe that to justify wages you need to look how long it takes to become proficient at a trade.
If you look at the average 3rd year electrical apprentice he could probably rewire a house with his eyes closed.
But on the other hand plastering can take 6 years to become proficient at.

So if you put them together the plasterer should be getting more.

This may upset a few people because sparks are renowned for thinking we at the top of the tree because we can do a few calculations and can read.

But do a full day laying brick or skimming ceilings and you would be wanting the same if not more than the electrician sat wiring a cu.

 

[rocker]

Good point, but then on the other hand you're less likely to be killed skimming a ceiling. Swings and roundabouts is the term, but I do feel that sparks tend to be taken the mic out of on site, just seems like we have to work around everyone else, and I think an equal pay amount would be fine, but we are definitely being undervalued.

 

[DiscoDave]

The working around other trades debate is a whole new kettle of fish! I've lost count of the arguments i've had with site managers because they would rather have the floor laid, than have the lights on or the central heating commissioned!