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Tiler: Wall / Floor

The Work
Wall and floor tilers work on jobs ranging from domestic kitchens and bathrooms to industrial premises, swimming pools, shops, hotels and offices. They work with a variety of materials including ceramics, terracotta, stone, granite, marble and adhesives, choosing the most appropriate to match the proposed use of the area, or working to technical plans drawn up by the architect or builder.

Tasks include setting out an area to calculate the required amount of tiles and adhesives; using hand-cutters or machine tools to cut tiles to size and shape; fixing wall or floor tiles then applying the grout before finishing the area. If the project involves restoration work, tilers may have to repair or remove and level-off the previous surface before setting out.

On large projects tilers work in teams. Most tilers will work on floors and walls to increase employment opportunities. Some tilers specialise in one or more areas of complex or difficult work, such as mosaics.

Hours and Conditions
Tilers normally work 39 hours a week, Monday to Friday, although unsocial hours may be required to meet deadlines for contracts.

Tilers usually work in a variety of locations, and spend a lot of time bending, kneeling or crouching and use adhesives and grouts for which personal protective equipment may be required.

The work can involve travelling, which may be local or further afield. It may be necessary to work away from home for periods of time, depending on the contract. A driving licence will be useful.

Skills and Interests
To be a tiler you should:

have practical skills and manual dexterity
be accurate and have a careful, methodical approach to work
have numerical skills for measuring and calculating quantities of materials
be creative and able to appreciate design, for producing or matching patterns
be generally fit, for bending and carrying tools and materials
be able to work as part of a team and alone
have a pleasant manner for dealing with clients in their own homes or offices
be able to keep paperwork and accounts up to date if self-employed.

Training
Most training is based within the workplace. You can work towards the NVQs / SVQs in Wall and Floor Tiling at levels 2 and 3. This is usually done by combining training with assessment through an employer.

To achieve the NVQ you have to be assessed as competent in seven units including:

erecting and dismantling basic working platforms
setting out
preparing backgrounds / surfaces
positioning and fixing
repairs.

Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. For details see:

MAPPs (England)
Skillseekers (Scotland)
National Traineeships MAPPs (Wales) and
MAPPs (Northern Ireland)

Opportunities
Most tilers work for specialist tiling contractors who provide services to the construction industry, directly to businesses and individual householders. There may be opportunities to work abroad on contract.

With additional training, wall and floor tilers may progress to technician level or become supervisors or contract managers. There may also be options to train as an assessor on tiling training courses. Self-employment is a common option.

Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agrees wage rates annually.

Qualified tilers can earn £16,995 a year.

Tilers with several years� experience can earn up to £21,000.

Wage rates may be higher if bonuses, shift allowances and overtime are included.

Further Information
CITB - Construction Skills
Tel: 01485 577577
www.citb.org.uk

The Tile Association
www.tiles.org.uk

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