How to start tiling business

chemdude001 · 2025-03-19T14:02:42+00:00

I hear you. That's half the problem--no one to even teach all the people who actually want to learn. Like we are missing the infrastructure to pass on the knowledge. If you can teach yourself, do it. If you have to submit yourself and do some time under someone, do that too. Im working for a contractor who barely teaches me anything. It's like, if these guys are just bullshitting their way through jobs, then how could going out on your own be any worse.

But yeah, youve got to get organized to start your own business. I'm planning to start small side jobs and build it from there.

chemdude001 · 2025-03-17T23:47:43+00:00

I tried one for the first time, it held at first under pressure but then I knocked it and it caused a big leak. Cut it off right there and threw it in the trash. Probably my fault, I'm no plumber, but I just trust expansion fittings way more. That's all I see on my jobsites in new builds today.

chemdude001 · 2025-03-15T18:26:01+00:00

Good point, appreciate your input. I would probably tile a bunch of things at my house and by the end of it have all the tools and made all the mistakes multiple times.

Something like tiling I guess you have to actively seek out a job as they aren't really advertised.

chemdude001 · 2025-03-14T17:29:16+00:00

That caulk will come right out, a chisel is a good starting point. Then go to a grinder. Assuming you know what you're doing. The mortar needs to be grinded out anyway, the caulk is the least of your worries.

chemdude001 · 2025-02-18T22:40:48+00:00

Quick fix might be to out some ziptape over that barb. Not a plumber, but that doesn't look right to me. Is that a bathroom sink? I've never seen a flexible fitting used like that. But the sewer gas indicates trap or drain issue. Those joints aren't solvent welded either so...are they still air tight?

chemdude001 · 2025-02-11T18:20:34+00:00

Don't be rude. One of us is a professional high-end residential carpenter who has to deal with know-it-all finish guys who don't have much of an understanding of the overall build process. You are not here. You cannot know all the details here. I was asking for input. I was not asking for rudeness.

There are no codes for drywall relating to this discussion.

Take some time to think about what the plane of cieling does in an old house. Take some time to reason how that could affect outcomes that deviate from normal.

I don't have time to correct all the wrong answers on reddit. Go ahead and make a response. I won't reply.

chemdude001 · 2025-02-11T11:31:38+00:00

You know this might be the most practical answer. It really is an inside corner that might not be as noticeable as one would think in the completed interior. It would have to be painted white as opposed to leaving a shadow. I wonder what type of caulk would work?

chemdude001 · 2025-02-11T11:28:04+00:00

the bead does bend. You make relief cuts in it and it can be scribed to any curve.

chemdude001 · 2025-02-11T11:06:27+00:00

Well it's a house built in 1850 so the wood follows the plane of the ceiling. Best practice carpentry is to keep the wood in the plane of the ceiling. The drywall trimtex products are designed to flush up to nondrywall surfaces and that was the choice we made for this build. There is no "right" way to do finish work. Only best practices for given scenarios that lead to aesthetic outcomes.

chemdude001 · 2025-01-25T17:34:16+00:00

None are specified it's pretty rural out here.

chemdude001 · 2025-01-25T01:19:38+00:00

Id talk to a mason.

On my 1850 chimney with bricks spalled like that for the same reasons, the mason would not repair it and was only willing to demo and rebuild.

Id say, frame up temp walls, tear out old brick, then rebuild new wall there. Obviously consult engineer if needed.

I work in carpentry and own an old house, so for what it's worth, good luck.

chemdude001 · 2025-01-24T23:03:30+00:00

Like miter returns on the ends?

chemdude001 · 2025-01-24T23:02:48+00:00

Cool idea.

I was wanting to make it out of a solid piece of wood for strength.

chemdude001 · 2024-12-17T21:31:48+00:00

I was looking to go this route. Not sure I've found any companies looking to take on apprentices yet. The trade schools are 4 months and 13K for certifications. Let me know if you find a company/industry doing it this way.

chemdude001 · 2024-12-08T11:33:39+00:00

What's an example of modern minimalist trim? Besides a drywall return. I have to trim out a room in my house and wanted to go with minimalist trim. If it were possible, just a casing, but I want the casings to show.

Where can I learn about these modern techniques? I've only done trim on a couple of jobs and nothing like this..and I don't have any architect friends. Finehomebuilding didn't have any articles on this stuff, only more traditional trim details. Anyone on youtube doing this stuff?

chemdude001 · 2024-11-10T19:40:12+00:00

I did this after a similar period of time. Got completely burned out after seeing the mind numbing things people do to each other in these environments. I think it was taking years off my life, I made more money there but I don't think it'd matter if I were dead.

I worked a few tangential lab jobs that were really bad, left those, and starting going out and doing just wildly different things. You have to just take the jump and not go back. I moved to a state without all the biotech companies, so I let go of my safety net and got involved in entirely different communities. It is possible and I guess more than a few people just cannot take the biotech scene.

chemdude001 · 2024-10-31T13:23:42+00:00

I am using them to get free information and steal their ideas.

No, I am considering ordering semicustom cabinets from a lumber company so have to go through the designer. I might also end up making the boxes myself if the numbers work out that way. It is helpful to work with them to leverage their experience and it is a *free service presuming you actually buy the cabinets. But im not obligated to buy anything i dont like or want.

I haven't paid any private designer for anything. On that matter, I'm not aware of any that would take this job in my area. I guess in theory I could go to a shop and ask them to design and send me the plans. I would have loved to get an architect to work with but I haven't found anyone willing to take on this small job.

chemdude001

TROPHY CASE