INDUSTRY PAGE 2
PODCASTEPISODE53
MeetJoshWestfromWestTiling. BehindtheTrowel:Insightsfroma TilingPro.
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INDUSTRYTRENDIDEAS Eco-friendlyconstructionmaterials continuestorise,withhomeownersand buildersseekingsustainableoptions.
BUSINESSADVICE PAGE 4
Strategiesformanagingathriving businessandmaximisingtheeffort youinvestinyourendeavours.
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TILINGMASTERY
WhatItMeanstoBeaTilingMaster–AndWhyItMattersforBusiness Success
Ifyou’reworkinginthetiling,flooring,or constructionindustry,youalreadyknow thatinternalwetareasareoneofthe mostcommonpointsoffailureinabuild. Showersleaking,bathroomsneedingto beredone.Andmoreoftenthannot,it comesdowntopoorwaterproofing.
That’swheretheGAPPCoursecomes in.
GAPP(GripsetAccreditedPractitioner Program)isahands-on,trade-focused trainingcoursedesignedtoteachthe rightwaytowaterproofwetareas.Based onthecurrentAustralianStandards, productinsiderknowledge,andrealjob siteconditions.
It’snotaboutfluffortheoryoverload.It’s aboutpractical,immediatelyusefulskills thatwillmakeyouamorereliableandindemandinstaller.
So,what’sinitforyou?
ConfidenceandCompliance
Learnhowtoapplysheetandliquid membranescorrectly,detailjunctions andpenetrationstherightway,and understandproductcompatibility. ThecourseisbasedonAS3740and givesyoutheknowledgetobackyour workwithconfidence.
FlexibilityThatWorksforYou Thetheorycomponentisdelivered liveviaZoom(oravailableprerecorded),andpracticaltrainingisrun regularlyineachstate,soyoucanfit GAPPinaroundyourworkschedule.
So if you’re ready to take your waterproofing skillset to the next level, enrol in the GAPP course. Your future self (and your clients) will thank you!
Hands-OnTraining Aswellaslearningallthetheory behindtheAS3740,you’llbeapplying product,cuttingtapes,andworking throughreal-worldscenarioswith guidancefromourexperienced trainerswho’vebeeninyourboots withindustryexperience.
StandOutfromtheCrowd Whetheryou’reworkingforabuilder, tiler,orrunningyourownbusiness, beingGAPPcertifiedshowsyou’re seriousaboutquality.You’llgetlisted onouronlinedirectory,gainaccessto ongoingsupport,andhaveaccessto Gripsetbrandingthatshowsyou knowyourstuff.
ItPaysforItself Theindustryiscrackingdownonpoor waterproofing,andinsuranceclaims aren’tgettinganyeasier.Oneavoided callbackormistakecouldmorethan coveryourcoursefee.Additionally, receiveacontinueddiscountwhen stockinguponGripsetproducts throughapprovedresellers.
ExtendedWarranty
Whenyoucompletegappyoureceive anextended15-yearwarrantyonthe completedwaterproofingsystem whenyoufollowthespecificationsas perourwarrantybooklet.
Class sizes are small, and spots fill up fast Learn more or book your spot at gripset.com/gapp
PODCAST EPISODE 53 Ifyou’veevertriedtilingyourself,you knowit’sanartform.Ittakesprecision, patience,andawholelotofskill—kindof liketryingtogetyourmatestoactually showupontimeforaBBQ!
Joshisatilingexpertwhotransforms homesandbusinessesacrossBrisbane withhiscraftsmanship.Buttoday,we’re notjusttalkingaboutlayingtiles.We’re alsoexploringthemindset,challenges, andwinsofrunningatilingbusinessin 2025.
IfyouwanttoconnectwithJosh,hereare hisdetails:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westtiling/
Tile Talk:
Straight Answers from a Tiling Pro
How long have you been installing tiles?
Trowling on and off for 15 years. What is your favourite tile to install?
Anything stone or handmade, perfectly imperfect tiles.
What is the most tedious task that occurs regularly on a job site?
Cleaning up after other trades. What is your favourite tool or piece of equipment?
Atika or Rodia Wetsaw, both are built for a purpose.
When you're not working, what are you doing?
Researching tiling methods, techniques and tools I’m big into learning all facets of tiling and going down rabbit holes, watching tile install videos - especially European tilers.
What is the last piece of advice you heard that matters?
Don’t care for the opinion of someone who isn’t brave enough to try what you are doing.
GREAT SERVICE, QUALITY & COMMUNICATION HIGH STANDARD OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL & WORKMANSHIP! THEY UNDERSTAND THE VISION FOR THE PROJECT & DELIVER WHAT'S REQUIRED. WELL ORGANISED ALSO.
Go Pro - 1% better today than yesterday.
Who inspires you the most in everything you do?
Family, we break our bodies for those we love.
What do you love most about your business and tiling?
Not one day is the same. New challenges and opportunities
CLick on the image to listen to the episode
INDUSTRY TREND IDEAS “GREEN IS THE NEW GROUT – OFFERING SUSTAINABLE TILING SOLUTIONS THAT DON'T COMPROMISE ON STYLE OR STRENGTH ” Thepushforeco-friendlyconstruction materialscontinuestorise,with homeownersandbuildersseeking sustainableoptions.
SustainableTilingSolutions
OpportunityforTilers:
Offerandpromoteeco-friendly adhesives,recycledtiles,andlowVOCgrouts.
Highlightsustainablepracticeslike responsibledisposalofoldtilesand minimalwaterusage.
Usethisangleinmarketingto appealtoenvironmentallyconsciousbuildersandrenovators.
LargeFormat&SeamlessTiling
Demandisgrowingforlarge-format tilesandminimalgroutline aesthetics,especiallyinhigh-end residentialandcommercialspaces.
OpportunityforTilers:
Upskillortraininhandlingand installinglargeformattiles. Investintoolssuitedtolarger slabs(suctioncups,leveling systems,etc.).
Partnerwithdesignersto showcaseseamless,luxury installations.
“Big, bold, and beautiful –mastering the art of seamless surfaces with large format tile installations.” BUSINESS ADVICE BuildaStrongReferralNetwork Wordofmouthisgoldinthetrades. Alwaysleaveacleanjobsite,follow upaftercompletion,andaskhappy clientsforreviewsorreferrals.
Also,connectwithlocalbuilders, plumbers,andrealestateagents peoplewhocanfeedyouconsistent work.
Protip:Haveafewbusinesscards orflyersinyourvantohandoutonsiteoratsupplystores.
PricewithProfitinMind–NotJust toWinJobs
Don’tfallintothetrapofunderquoting tostaycompetitive.Factorinallcosts (materials,tools,travel,time)plusa marginforprofitandfuture investment.Includeabufferfor unexpectedissues,anddon’tbeafraid toeducateclientsonthevalueof qualitywork.
Protip:Useasimplespreadsheetor quotingapptobreakdownyourcosts andstandardiseyourquotingprocess.
SeparateYourBusinessandPersonalFinances Setupaseparatebankaccountforyourtilingincomeandexpenses.This makestaxtimeabreezeandgivesyouaclearviewofhowyourbusinessis performing.Italsolooksmoreprofessionalifyou'reapplyingforfinanceor planningtogrow.
Protip:UseasimpleaccountingtoollikeXero,QuickBooks,orevenafreeversion likeWavetotrackeverything.
TILING MASTERY WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TILING MASTER – AND WHY IT MATTERS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Intheconstructionindustry,skilliseverything.Butinthetilinggame,there’sa levelabovesimply“goodatyourtrade.”
There’satitlethatcarriesweight,respect,andrecognition TilingMaster.It’s notjustabadgeofhonour;it’sastatementaboutwhoyouare,howyouoperate, andwhatkindofbusinessyourun.
Let’sbreakdownwhatitreallymeanstobeaTilingMasterandwhythisdistinction canbethedifferencebetweensurvivingandthrivinginthecompetitiveworldof construction.
1.MasteryisAboutMoreThan JustSkill BeingaTilingMastermeansmore thanlayingtilesstraightandcutting cornersclean.It’sabouta commitmenttoexcellenceinevery partofthejob—fromplanningand waterproofingtodesign consultationandcustomercare.
Atruemasterknowsthedifference betweenshortcutsandefficiencies. Theystayuptodatewiththelatest systems,tools,andcompliance standards.
Theyunderstandmoisture management,substrateprep,and productcompatibilityliketheback oftheirhand.Andtheydon’tcut corners becausetheyknow cornersarewhereproblemsstart.
TILING MASTERY 3.MasteryBringsLeadership Whenrunningabusiness,you're notjustlayingtiles—you're leadingpeople.Whetherit's apprentices,employees,or subcontractors,yourteamlooks toyouforguidance,standards, andinspiration.
ATilingMastersetsthetonefor professionalism,safety,and qualityoneveryjob.Theytrain othersnotjusthowtotile,but howtothinklikeatradesperson withpride,discipline,anda long-termmindset.
Thatleadershipfostersculture andculturecreatesabusiness thatpeoplewanttobepartof.
2.MastersBuildReputation–and ReputationBuildsBusiness
Inthetilingindustry,yournamecarries significantweight.Onceyoubecome knownasaMaster,yourworkspeaks foritself.Clientstrustyou.Builders seekyourexpertise.Designersvalue yourinput.Othertradesviewyouasa leaderon-site. Thisreputationdoesn’tstemfromjust onemajorjob;it’scultivatedjobafter jobthroughconsistency,integrity,and prideinyourcraft.
Inshort,aTilingMasterdoesn’tneed topursuework.Theirreputation attractsopportunitiestothem.
TILING MASTERY 4.CustomersWantExperts,Not JustTradies Today’sclientsaremoreinformed thanever.Theydon’twantacheap job;theywanttherightjob.They seeksomeonewhounderstands designintent,waterproofingcodes, acousticrequirements,and timeframes.
Whenyoupositionyourselfasa Master,youinstantlydistinguish yourselffromthepack.You’reno longerjustoneofmanyquotesona spreadsheet;you’retheexpertwho deliverspeaceofmind.
That’sapowerfulpositiontobein.
FinalThoughts BeingaTilingMasterisabout ownershipandresponsibilityfor yourtrade,name,andbusiness.
It'samindsetthatdeclares:Idon't justdotiles;Isetthestandard.
Inaworldwherestandardsmatter more,thismindsetseparatesgood tilersfromgreatbusinesses!
5.BusinessGrowthDependson Standards
Togrowyourbusiness,establish systemsandstandards.Ensureyour teamdeliverstop-tierwork,even off-site.
ATilingMastercreatesprocesses, documentseverything,anddefines clearbenchmarksfor“greatwork." Thisenablesscalingwithout sacrificingquality.
Inanindustryreliantonwordof mouth,consistencyisyourbest marketingtool.
So ask yourself — are you chasing jobs, or building a legacy?
