Stiles paving the way
AFTER growing up in a tiling business, it was a natural progression for Adam Stiles to become a tiler himself. He’s even got the word ‘tiles’ in his name.
“My mum and dad own Tile Power so I was always around tiles,” he said.
At the end of Year 10, Mr Stiles left school and started a four-year apprenticeship locally, learning his trade on the job as well as studying a Certificate III in Floor and Wall Tiling.
“I had to go to Sydney for TAFE every six weeks,” he explained.
Mr Stiles now runs his own business and is always busy.
The busiest time for him is at the end of each year during the holiday season.
“Leading up to Christmas is the busiest time,” he said. “People want to update their bathrooms so there’s a big rush on.”
Mr Stiles works on everything from patios and pools to feature walls and internal tiling jobs.
He said that many clients get their tiling style inspiration from TV renovation programs.
“People get innovation from shows like The Block. Herringbone pattern is very popular at the moment.”
When he’s not tiling, Mr Stiles is busy planning ahead, giving quotes and doing measurements as well as ordering tiles if required.
There are many different types and styles and they also come in a vast range of prices.
“Some of them can be $130 a square metre,” he said.
Lifting heavy tiles can be a strenuous aspect of being a tiler so Mr Stiles said the right techniques need to be employed to protect your body, particularly the back and knees.
“Like every job, it has its pros and cons,” he said.
“Being self-employed, the freedom is good. People are pretty good too.”