should I specialize in one skill

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brandon

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I have just started in the trade a few months now and I am wondering if I should just specialize in one area of work? Like rendering, wall insallation, screeding, fibrous work? I have been thinking that if I become specialized in one area like that I could charge more money and be more in demand? I just feel if I carry on domestic work I will just do skimming for the next 50 years as I am twenty four. What would you do? Thanks. I have seen the courses offered on here for wall crete, EWI etc.
 
Haha. I know I have loads to learn but I am just thinking ahead a few years. You are right though. I just see vans driving round with damp proof specialist or rendering specialist and wonder why they specialized in those areas? Because of the money?
 
sign written van does not make you good ,or the word specialized ,your repeat business makes you good ,lots to learn young Jedi
 
Most of the guys who specialize in one aspect have been plasterers for years and can do all the things you list to a high standard. Don't be a one trick pony.
 
I specialize in complete interior refurbishment. Including plastering, kitchens, bathrooms, tiling etc. the whole kit and kaboodle. Haven't advertised in 17 years and dont have a sign written van and never have had. It takes a while to get there but definitely listen to advice on here and become a competent and decent spread in as many aspects as possible before narrowing your horizon. If you spend a few years doing different things and building a good client base you can then pick and chose what you want to be the majority of your workload.
 
Try and learn as much as possible plenty out there to do no point limiting yourself to one thing. If someone's doing anything in a professional capacity and charging I'd like to think they are a specialist in the trade they are selling!
 
domestic work , easy money.
site work, a dead horse, waiting for payments, stopped 20% tax.
rendering good money, but you must be organized.
floor screeding, heavy work, not every plasterer likes screeding.
ewi, to much work for the money, a waste of time.
tacking, dot and dab, both under paid.
 
brandon said:
I have just started in the trade a few months now and I am wondering if I should just specialize in one area of work? Like rendering, wall insallation, screeding, fibrous work? I have been thinking that if I become specialized in one area like that I could charge more money and be more in demand? I just feel if I carry on domestic work I will just do skimming for the next 50 years as I am twenty four. What would you do? Thanks. I have seen the courses offered on here for wall crete, EWI etc.
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It depends on many variables Brandon, a lot of guys I know that "specialize" almost fell into it by chance, either joined a gang or firm doing ewi or spray render...10 years later they are still there. Your own path will lead itself to you naturally , as much as I enjoy rendering I personally prefer internal refurbs.
 
I "specialise" in fibrous / ornamental plastering
By specialise I mean it's the only aspect of the trade I have anywhere near enough experience in to charge for it and it's the only thing I have ever done.

Fibrous is a different game to the likes of. Specialising in damp, rendering, etc though as there arnt many of us fibrous boys about.


As suggested learn as much as possible about all aspects of the trade. Become good and let your reputation speak for itself.
Taking a couple of extra hours to go the distance for a customer can be the difference in a referal for more work or being warned away from.

You never know who your working for either. Do a spot on job on a domestic job. Could turn out the hubby / sister / brother / dad is a builder /contractor etc. You never know where jobs will lead.
 
i dont "specialize" in anything........................................................im not good enough at anything :RpS_mellow:
 
jesssop said:
i dont "specialize" in anything........................................................im not good enough at anything :RpS_mellow:
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I dont believe that for one minute , the render on the front of your house looks bang on :RpS_thumbsup: and I heard you make awesome toast :RpS_biggrin:
 
malc said:
domestic work , easy money.
site work, a dead horse, waiting for payments, stopped 20% tax.
rendering good money, but you must be organized.
floor screeding, heavy work, not every plasterer likes screeding.
ewi, to much work for the money, a waste of time.
tacking, dot and dab, both under paid.
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I hate screeding
 
Carljenk said:
I hate screeding
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I despise screeding and avoid it like the plague, I was nagged into doing 17 m2 conservatory last year and I was knackered at the end (first one for years) months later on a much bigger job I was watching the screeders get through 30-40 ton a screed a day........and they were all stoned :RpS_w00t:
 
Olican said:
I despise screeding and avoid it like the plague, I was nagged into doing 17 m2 conservatory last year and I was knackered at the end (first one for years) months later on a much bigger job I was watching the screeders get through 30-40 ton a screed a day........and they were all stoned :RpS_w00t:
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My back just can't take it. Maybe I should get stoned the next time ( if there is one ) it might relax my back a bit
 
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]I specialise in one thing PLASTERING:RpS_thumbup:[/FONT]
 
always laugh at vans with '' specialist '' on the side, like their fukin SAS... a plasterer can do all aspects of the trade.. learn it all.. screeding, rendering, all internal, fibrous, etc...
 
cassie said:
always laugh at vans with '' specialist '' on the side, like their fukin SAS... a plasterer can do all aspects of the trade.. learn it all.. screeding, rendering, all internal, fibrous, etc...
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Thing is I did all aspects of the plastering trade, solid, dry lining, rendering, fibrous, floor screeding. I was relying more for the builders to keep in work but although I loved the job but working for builders and employing plasterers was doing my head in!!

What I wanted was working for private customers and I enjoyed rendering so jacked the trade in and concentrated on private rendering jobs. Seasonal and subject to the weather. But go back plastering? No. Plastering is hard graft, under paid and people have little respect for plasterers.
 
you're still young, brandon. try them and see which one you like. you might not like any in six months time and decide to work in a shoe shop ffs. but give it all a go. theres nothing wrong with someone saying they specialize in something if thats primarily what they do. theres nothing wrong with advertising on your van if you want more business. why would you miss that trick? you give out business cards, put an advert in the paper, publish a website, ply your wares on twitter and facebook but too haughty to put a sign on your van .... :RpS_confused:
 
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