Beginning to realise how hard this game is !!

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MrJK

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When I think back to a few short months ago how optimistic and enthusiastic I was at going back on the tools I feel kinda dumb. Within a year I was gonna be driving a brand new van, have customers outbidding each other for my service and a custom made trowel with the word success engraved on the handle.

Its not like that though is it? Its not even close and drifting further away by the day.

No jobs, no work, no stability

I take my hat of to the few lads making a decent living out of it. You deserve it.
 
MrJK said:
When I think back to a few short months ago how optimistic and enthusiastic I was at going back on the tools I feel kinda dumb. Within a year I was gonna be driving a brand new van, have customers outbidding each other for my service and a custom made trowel with the word success engraved on the handle.

Its not like that though is it? Its not even close and drifting further away by the day.

No jobs, no work, no stability

I take my hat of to the few lads making a decent living out of it. You deserve it.
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The ones making a decent living out of it have drive, energy and are ruthless. Sadly I don't have any of that so I'm out.
 
What are you doing to advertise, you already said you think a website is pointless (dissgree), is your van sign written, go and park it next to the entrance of your local B & Q, are you on the google business directory, best bit of free advertising there is....500 leaflets are about £30 one job makes that worth while, free index, local paper, stick a small sign or your garden wall, loads of free online directories.
 
Being a plasterer/skimming is so easy.
The rare days I spend plastering are so stress free and relaxing
This time of year when the weather is poo with 4/5 render jobs sitting around unfinished is a pain
 
It's not a "game" and takes years and decent teaching to get to the point where you can pick and choose your jobs and earn decent money etc
 
@MrJK you're not describing plastering, you're describing self employment. I've said it many times to many people, you can be brilliant at your trade, but not good at running a business and you'll struggle/fail. The other side of that coin is that you can be average or poor at your trade, but good at running a business and you'll do very well.

Loads of 'businesses' fail each year because it's tough, mistakes can be costly, and if you don't have a wedge to start with it takes years to build up.

So, if I were you I'd have a hard look at what you want and what you're doing. Then get on with an agency or cards in and start earning a wage. While you're doing that have a look at the people round you who are doing well, in their trade. See what they're doing, talk to them, ask questions. Not about how to spread gloop on a wall, or wire a house or fit central heating. Ask them about business, how it is, what they do, mistakes they've made, cash flow, accountants etc etc.

Build up your knowledge and gradually take on your own work. The rest will come, but gradually. There is no quick way to build up a business, no one certain way to advertise.

Everyone who succeeds has one thing in common, they kept going. Everyone who fails has one thing in common, they gave up. But, you need to make sure that it's what you want before you work your nuts off to get it.
 
MrJK said:
When I think back to a few short months ago how optimistic and enthusiastic I was at going back on the tools I feel kinda dumb. Within a year I was gonna be driving a brand new van, have customers outbidding each other for my service and a custom made trowel with the word success engraved on the handle.

Its not like that though is it? Its not even close and drifting further away by the day.

No jobs, no work, no stability

I take my hat of to the few lads making a decent living out of it. You deserve it.
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chin up, mate. worse things happen at sea. ive just seen some tramp over in town playing a comb as a harmonica. i gave him 20p.
 
Lodan said:
What are you doing to advertise, you already said you think a website is pointless (dissgree), is your van sign written, go and park it next to the entrance of your local B & Q, are you on the google business directory, best bit of free advertising there is....500 leaflets are about £30 one job makes that worth while, free index, local paper, stick a small sign or your garden wall, loads of free online directories.
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Leaflets cards etc don't work lodan there make u look more professional after uve done a domestic etc but dnt get u much work..can't beat word of mouth you can charge wat u want the key is get into plastering company's around your local area and work on site and build urself up so your quick and leave a nice finish then uve got that company wanting you to give you all there work etc..there is absolutely s**t loads of work out there we've turned down s**t loads in last month..
imago said:
@MrJK you're not describing plastering, you're describing self employment. I've said it many times to many people, you can be brilliant at your trade, but not good at running a business and you'll struggle/fail. The other side of that coin is that you can be average or poor at your trade, but good at running a business and you'll do very well.

Loads of 'businesses' fail each year because it's tough, mistakes can be costly, and if you don't have a wedge to start with it takes years to build up.

So, if I were you I'd have a hard look at what you want and what you're doing. Then get on with an agency or cards in and start earning a wage. While you're doing that have a look at the people round you who are doing well, in their trade. See what they're doing, talk to them, ask questions. Not about how to spread gloop on a wall, or wire a house or fit central heating. Ask them about business, how it is, what they do, mistakes they've made, cash flow, accountants etc etc.

Build up your knowledge and gradually take on your own work. The rest will come, but gradually. There is no quick way to build up a business, no one certain way to advertise.

Everyone who succeeds has one thing in common, they kept going. Everyone who fails has one thing in common, they gave up. But, you need to make sure that it's what you want before you work your nuts off to get it.
Click to expand...
Here here!! Every1 who starts up a business or being self employed have this fairytale thinking where there will have a brand new sparkly sign written van with work falling out of there are it ain't like we have shed loads at the min but we've got 17 years of building up contacts and I know it cud go downhill at any given minute but we work hard to avoid that..build your way thru a plastering company then get ur contacts as you go as ull meet different people etc..u will not survive doing domestics the rest of ur life
 
domestics are for when you want to semi retire...cash jobs for wknds...or hide if your a chancer...

nothing wrong with fading into them once your a certain age like I am now...but its not the route to aim for from day 1 imo
 
zombie said:
domestics are for when you want to semi retire...cash jobs for wknds...or hide if your a chancer...

nothing wrong with fading into them once your a certain age like I am now...but its not the route to aim for from day 1 imo
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Domestics are easy picking we take them as there cum we stick to new build and site work..most of people on here saying work is tight etc ant ever been on a site..go out and find work there's s**t loads but if your a chancer plastering company or site foreman will know straight away..that's wat made me laugh wen my mate flynny said site workers weren't plasterers..
 
Ive seen many a "site" plasterers work and its f**k**g s**t mostly but (some are my mates before you kick off) is very very good its individuals not the "site" v"private" cack
 
Marshy said:
Ive seen many a "site" plasterers work and its f**k**g s**t mostly but (some are my mates before you kick off) is very very good its individuals not the "site" v"private" cack
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Domestic work is a piece of piss nice steady 2 bag gages etc brews on tap..defo down to the individual but chancers wud have more chance doing domestics than site work as there would make no money on price..plus most clients think a nice shinny wall means there have had a gud job done and there paint it themselves trust me on site if ur work in upto scratch uve got painters and decorators putting the counter bill in for sorting shitty work out into that s**t on domestics..hardest part about domestics is hovering up
 
Kitchy said:
Domestic work is a piece of piss nice steady 2 bag gages etc brews on tap..defo down to the individual but chancers wud have more chance doing domestics than site work as there would make no money on price..plus most clients think a nice shinny wall means there have had a gud job done and there paint it themselves trust me on site if ur work in upto scratch uve got painters and decorators putting the counter bill in for sorting shitty work out into that s**t on domestics..hardest part about domestics is hovering up
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So your calling me a chancer??
 
Marshy said:
Think im just ready to thump somebody after that pathetic bitch slap McGregor crap lol
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Thought u was guna go in flynny mode then..I know seen that on you tube this morning was pathetic..said full fight highlights 28seconds thought it was just showing me the knockdown not the full fight
 
Kitchy said:
Thought u was guna go in flynny mode then..I know seen that on you tube this morning was pathetic..said full fight highlights 28seconds thought it was just showing me the knockdown not the full fight
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Im not Flynny in any way pal :risas2: but i am known to get annoyed from time to time :birra:
 
flynnman could argue with his own fookin shadow!!!:boxeador:....I think I still kind of like him ish maybe...nah hes a F*****g prick!!!

only kiddings!!!....wait for it he will be on in a minute now..countdown in 5 4 3 2 1 BOOM!!!:frenetico:
 
Kitchy said:
Domestic work is a piece of piss nice steady 2 bag gages etc brews on tap..defo down to the individual but chancers wud have more chance doing domestics than site work as there would make no money on price..plus most clients think a nice shinny wall means there have had a gud job done and there paint it themselves trust me on site if ur work in upto scratch uve got painters and decorators putting the counter bill in for sorting shitty work out into that s**t on domestics..hardest part about domestics is hovering up
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That's a load of s**t, domestic customers are now keen as fook, granted they no fook all but they immediately think your out to rip them off.
 
@mac tbf mate once its repeat/referral work on domestics you could trowel up with your arse...im very fortunate now in that when my fone rings there ringing for me alone...

though when starting out in my 20s very very different every job I had to reassure and win them over with quality work and conduct...

personaly ive never met you but I recon your going to go very far in this game...you've got the right attitude and drive and have read the market perfectly pushing modern renders etc mate...

I was like you once pre 2 kids a separation and a recession...good luck fela!!!(y)
 
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zombie said:
@mac tbf mate once its repeat/referral work on domestics you could trowel up with your arse...im very fortunate now in that when my fone rings there ringing for me alone...

though when starting out in my 20s very very different every job I had to reassure and win them over with quality work and conduct...

personaly ive never met you but I recon your going to go very far in this game...you've got the right attitude and drive and have read the market perfectly pushing modern renders etc mate...

I was like you once pre 2 kids a separation and a recession...good luck fela!!!(y)
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In tears here
 
I'm in Sheffield lads, the work is the easy part.

Its the doubt and mistrust that's already there, possibly from these programmes on TV.

It's certainly got tougher over the last few years, customers expecting absolute perfection for the cheapest price, internals only.

With plastering I don't see the wow anymore when we've finished a job, like I do on externals, from customers.
 
Some good feedback there although still no clearer on what to do.

Personally I reckon assuming your lucky enough to get on with a decent firm or crew the younger you start an apprenticeship the better the chance of making a decent living and career out of it. Word of mouth seems the way forward and there is no shortcut to it. Contacts in the game don't come overnight either or the speed needed for site work.

I can't stand failing at something though. Especially as I'm actually (believe it or not) enjoying the job. I admittedly need to speed up. I can't stand s**t everywhere or being disorganised. And I'd rather work until midnight than turn out s**t work.

Time to step things up a bit me thinks.

To be continued. . . . . . . .
 
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