Wall and floor tiler
Cover walls or floors with tiles in homes and businesses in order to make rooms attractive as well as watertight.
Also known as: tiler, construction worker, builder
About the job
What it's like
Are you looking for a role in construction? Do you get satisfaction from turning a dated room into somewhere that's attractive and safe? If so, a career as a wall and floor tiler could be perfect for you.
In this role, you'll cover walls or floors with tiles. You'll do this in a range of places such as kitchens, bathrooms, shops, hotels and restaurants.
Your work will make these rooms pleasant to be in, as well as protecting their surfaces against water damage.
As a wall and floor tiler, you'll work with lots of different materials. These include ceramics, glass, terracotta, stone, granite and marble.
If you fancy it, you could even specialise in a unique field! For example, some wall and floor tilers create a niche for themselves working with swimming pools or mosaic walls.
Your tasks might include:
marking out areas and choosing the right amount of tiles and paste for the job
repairing or removing old surfaces
cutting tiles using different tools
preparing surfaces with plaster, sand or cement
fixing tiles and applying grout
buying materials and looking after budgets
Hours
You’ll usually work Monday to Friday.
Some projects may require weekend work to meet deadlines or fit around clients’ needs.
You'll sometimes do overtime if you're working on a commercial project or are self-employed.
Environment
Tiling can be physically demanding as it'll involve lifting heavy loads.
You'll wear protective safety clothing when working with adhesives and grout.
Travel
You'll travel from site to site, and some contracts may involve overnight stays away from home.
You'll usually transport your equipment in a van.
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Related industries
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- managing resources
- implementing ideas
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- observation
- working with numbers
- designing
- creative
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Construction Craft
There are a few ways you can start your career as a wall and floor tiler.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Construction: Building.
You may have to take an aptitude test as part of the entry process.
Work
You can become a wall and floor tiler by applying directly to an employer or getting an entry-level job and working your way up. For example, you could start off as a labourer or tiler's assistant.
You can use the My World of Work job search to look for job vacancies.
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a wall and floor tiler. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Qualifications that show you have practical skills, such as Skills for Work Construction Crafts, may be useful.
You may also need a full UK driving licence to travel to different locations.
You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent safety passport to train and work on site. You'll need to pass a health and safety test to qualify for a CSCS card.
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