Rutgers
Well-known member
Here is what I do. I'm a tile setter. I have do hardwood floor, and even got roped into doing 40,000 square feet of production work laminate flooring this summer for an apartment complex, but for the last 10 years the bulk of my work has been ceramic tile. Over the last three years things have really changed in the tile business around here. Used to be I could count on having five hundred feet of floor work and a fireplace or back splash with the ocassional shower thrown in, but there are a couple factors that have changed along with the economy.
First, Quality builders have been slow and almost non existent. Many of the homes built in this area are targeted to a bottom line per foot price, and tile isn't in the budget for this type of work. In fact, most of these houses are being build so cheaply that the subfloor and/or joists aren't suitable for anything other than vinyl or carpet.
Second of all, with a lot of manufacturing on its way across the border, and guys loosing factory jobs, they figure they'll get into the construction business. After all, a grand worth of tools and one of those books at home depot that tell how how to build or fix something and they are on their way. They operate uninsured, skip things like underlayment and taxes, and hire illegal labor. Lots of these guys bid jobs at or below what I have into them. The work shows it, but people either don't know the difference or don't care. Fortunately, most of these guys steer away from anything custom so at least I've had a few crumbs to live on.
I have been doing a lot of custom ceramic showers the past few years. I'm not complaining cause at least it's something, but the money isn't all that great compared to doing flat work. Here's one I just finished up this evening. An hour out of town, but at lest gas prices are down. They wanted to keep it simple, but still have it look custom. Brick pattern 12x12 porcelain with some mosaic accents and a few travertine shelves. Sorry about the pics, but I took them with my phone.
How bout you? Anything interesting with your job?
First, Quality builders have been slow and almost non existent. Many of the homes built in this area are targeted to a bottom line per foot price, and tile isn't in the budget for this type of work. In fact, most of these houses are being build so cheaply that the subfloor and/or joists aren't suitable for anything other than vinyl or carpet.
Second of all, with a lot of manufacturing on its way across the border, and guys loosing factory jobs, they figure they'll get into the construction business. After all, a grand worth of tools and one of those books at home depot that tell how how to build or fix something and they are on their way. They operate uninsured, skip things like underlayment and taxes, and hire illegal labor. Lots of these guys bid jobs at or below what I have into them. The work shows it, but people either don't know the difference or don't care. Fortunately, most of these guys steer away from anything custom so at least I've had a few crumbs to live on.
I have been doing a lot of custom ceramic showers the past few years. I'm not complaining cause at least it's something, but the money isn't all that great compared to doing flat work. Here's one I just finished up this evening. An hour out of town, but at lest gas prices are down. They wanted to keep it simple, but still have it look custom. Brick pattern 12x12 porcelain with some mosaic accents and a few travertine shelves. Sorry about the pics, but I took them with my phone.
How bout you? Anything interesting with your job?
