what to do?

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Messybrew

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Before i start this go easy on me im currently on a plastering course have done nearly 6 weeks and have a couple left, i know theres alot of people saying these courses are s**t but at 25 not everyone can do an apprenticeship. recently left the army and doing my course im based in north essex just wondering if i should set myself up to work on my own and look for work or find a spread and work for him, im really unsure. although i have learnt alot i think ill need more confidence.i have bought a cetain amount of tools unsure whether to buy van as i dont know which path to take. any help or advice would helps cheers
 
Best to work for/ with another spread, so much to know in this idiots game, so much can go wrong, nothing wrong with courses ,all about time and money as ever,
 
As above, and maybe sign on with a couple of labour agency's, that way you get to practice a bit more on someone elses jobs.
 
Thanks for the replies sounds the safest way of going about it, setting myself up doing domestic work mate is what I meant. Considering all this should I look for on site or domestic. Is the money different I know you have to be quick for site work, does it pay more? I'm obviously used to working hard and at speed what would you recommend ? Cheers
 
For site work mate you'd need to be doing your h/s test and obtaining a cscs card to get on most sites these days.
 
Hi Messybrew,

Totally understand you going on a course but you realy need some additional experience working with a good spread realy before entertaining any options. You will learn more in a day just watching a good spread than you will already know or likely to know by just working on your own for many many years.

Could always offer your services on here to labour for free etc to any local spreads etc.

Good Luck

Zombie
 
**** me some people have got a cheek why don't you learn how to do it properly rather than ruin everyone's houses in the process
 
You need a good 3/4 years before you should be attempting peoples houses mate... try and get on with a firm as an improver..
 
I did a course 7 yrs back. Then started making mistakes lots of them on my small rental property. Took about 4 yrs part time time before I took on small.paying jobs. Been doin domestic stuff again part time last 2/3 yrs alongside my mate who is a bathroom fitter and tiler . It's doable if u start slow and steady and don't go round priceing to k rend Mrs miggins house ;)

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Having said that a friend of mine retired from the police last Mon. He has been doin his gas safe stuff in last few months. Three months in total training. One in class room two months working alongside a plumber part time. One more written test to do and he's gas safe ticketed in January... total.cost 8k plus loads of his time given for free

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
My last apprentice was more then capable of tackling most jobs on his own after about 18months, I have seen so called experienced spreads who are still rough as toast after years and years. No 2 men are the same.
 
hi messybrew,, i like your positive attitude but its not gonna be easy,, setting your self up is the easy part,, its getting the work that has been the hard part the last few years even for us spreads with 30 years worth of experience and contacts,,, take anything you can at the moment mate, especially work with other spreads to gain that all important experiennce,, good luck with what ever you do mate
 
My last apprentice was more then capable of tackling most jobs on his own after about 18months, I have seen so called experienced spreads who are still rough as toast after years and years. No 2 men are the same.

Agree with above. Discipline yourself to produce top notch work everytime. Keep people's houses clean and respect them and their home. Learn some sales skills cos ye gonna need them pricing work.

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
Before i start this go easy on me im currently on a plastering course have done nearly 6 weeks and have a couple left, i know theres alot of people saying these courses are s**t but at 25 not everyone can do an apprenticeship. recently left the army and doing my course im based in north essex just wondering if i should set myself up to work on my own and look for work or find a spread and work for him, im really unsure. although i have learnt alot i think ill need more confidence.i have bought a cetain amount of tools unsure whether to buy van as i dont know which path to take. any help or advice would helps cheers
Have you ever spent a day on site with a plasterer to get the feel for it ?
 
Practice practice practice would be my advice. If you own a property, replaster it all.

When you're confident enough take on small jobs for friends and family. Build your confidence and ask questions on here. Most people are helpful.
 
Have you ever spent a day on site with a plasterer to get the feel for it ?
Hi mate not on site no, before the course I worked for a spread for free for a week, keeping everything clean, mixing up and so on. It was good I'm glad I did it before my course, that was domestic though. Haven't not seen plastering in site I imagine speed is the main play for that, before the military I used to do boarding on site for a few years
 
Hi mate not on site no, before the course I worked for a spread for free for a week, keeping everything clean, mixing up and so on. It was good I'm glad I did it before my course, that was domestic though. Haven't not seen plastering in site I imagine speed is the main play for that, before the military I used to do boarding on site for a few years
The problem you have is very few plasterers will teach you in the same town you both live , you may have to travel about a bit for the help you are looking for , stick with it and best of luck mate :RpS_thumbup:
 
Just a thought here. There are a few ex-military lads on here, what did they think about working alongside the TA lot?
 
Just a thought here. There are a few ex-military lads on here, what did they think about working alongside the TA lot?
The point i think i was trying to say ,is he will one day go on his own ,that way completing against the guy that traded him , i have had it loads of times ,but it has never bothered me ,i help loads of local guys out with mono ,as i always say " i cannot plaster all the walls in Kent " and i don,t want to , that,s if that was for me mate :RpS_blushing:
 
Wasn't aimed at you Keith, just making a comparison to part-time soldiers and people doing courses. I personally think it's so fkin wrong that these course providers take money off people who believe they'll be making a living within weeks. Saying that, I'm in the school of not wanting to breed more plasterers in my own town either :RpS_thumbup:
 
Just a thought here. There are a few ex-military lads on here, what did they think about working alongside the TA lot?

I didnt mind if they had been regulars before and had then joined the TA. but TBH i wasnt keen working with office jockies who just wanted to play soldiers especially on Tours like Iraq.....................:RpS_thumbdn: and they were getting the same money, if not more if there civvies wage was more than there service wage
 
Wasn't aimed at you Keith, just making a comparison to part-time soldiers and people doing courses. I personally think it's so fkin wrong that these course providers take money off people who believe they'll be making a living within weeks. Saying that, I'm in the school of not wanting to breed more plasterers in my own town either :RpS_thumbup:
Did not think it was :RpS_blushing: but would you help someone out that lived an hour or so away from you ? we all sit on this forum giving away our tricks of the trade for others most days
 
I've helped plenty in my own town Keith, just not training up more opposition locally. And yes I've given a few tips away on here, but sometimes if I've noticed that it's in the public section I've edited the good info out if I'm in that mood :RpS_sneaky:
Some in my own town have sh1t on me so they get fkall from me now. I'll be seeing one of them in the pub at Xmas and he'll be moaning that he's got no work on -again. I take great pleasure in passing his house and seeing his van parked up regularly, cos I'm a spiteful ba5tard when it suits me :RpS_thumbup:
 
I've helped plenty in my own town Keith, just not training up more opposition locally. And yes I've given a few tips away on here, but sometimes if I've noticed that it's in the public section I've edited the good info out if I'm in that mood :RpS_sneaky:
Some in my own town have sh1t on me so they get fkall from me now. I'll be seeing one of them in the pub at Xmas and he'll be moaning that he's got no work on -again. I take great pleasure in passing his house and seeing his van parked up regularly, cos I'm a spiteful ba5tard when it suits me :RpS_thumbup:
I know what you mean mate ,been there :RpS_thumbup:
 
Before i start this go easy on me im currently on a plastering course have done nearly 6 weeks and have a couple left, i know theres alot of people saying these courses are s**t but at 25 not everyone can do an apprenticeship. recently left the army and doing my course im based in north essex just wondering if i should set myself up to work on my own and look for work or find a spread and work for him, im really unsure. although i have learnt alot i think ill need more confidence.i have bought a cetain amount of tools unsure whether to buy van as i dont know which path to take. any help or advice would helps cheers
So whats your next step Messy ?
 
My last apprentice was more then capable of tackling most jobs on his own after about 18months, I have seen so called experienced spreads who are still rough as toast after years and years. No 2 men are the same.

I have to say this is very true some people have it and find it easier to pick up.... I think I lasted 2 years working for a couple of spreads :)

A reputation can be lost very quickly.... so you need to start off on the right foot :)

I still cock jobs up and make silly mistakes... but its how you get over them that is what nothing can buy...

Good luck buddy :)

Danny
 
We have a 19 year old working with us. We set him on after he told us he had done his level 2 thinking at least he'll know something. Turns out it was a level 2 diploma quick course. He knows nothing, they gave him basic skills like taking it off the board. Nothing about backgrounds which backing to use when he had never stuck a board on . He's just starting to pick it up to a good standard and he's ben here 4 months:RpS_crying: Still doesn't listen or think on his feet though:RpS_cursing:
 
Well I have a bit OCD with things I can't do a half ased job I like things perfect as much as I can I like to think I've learnt alot but I can't be taught every scenario there is it's just not possible something's have to be learnt doing the job, Keith mate I will look to work for a spread I have spoke to one that will take me :)
 
You never know everything in this game there's always something to learn. School for life plastering
 
Well I have a bit OCD with things I can't do a half ased job I like things perfect as much as I can I like to think I've learnt alot but I can't be taught every scenario there is it's just not possible something's have to be learnt doing the job, Keith mate I will look to work for a spread I have spoke to one that will take me :)
Hope it all goes well mate stick around ,a lot of good guys on here for help and advice ,if and when needed :RpS_thumbup:
 
Hi mate not on site no, before the course I worked for a spread for free for a week, keeping everything clean, mixing up and so on. It was good I'm glad I did it before my course, that was domestic though. Haven't not seen plastering in site I imagine speed is the main play for that, before the military I used to do boarding on site for a few years
dont worry about speed mate,, i don't think you'll be doing price work on sites for quite a while,, far more important to learn to plaster well,,, then the speed will come naturally in time
 
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