Thatcher job

Installing and repairing thatched roofing on residential and commercial buildings is the responsibility of a thatcher, often known as a thatched roof installer.

Thatching is a kind of roofing in which dried plants, often wheat reed or rushes, are used to shape the roof and direct water runoff down the sides of the structure. When properly applied, thatched roofs are very resistant to decay and need very little care. It is the responsibility of the thatcher to guarantee that this kind of roof is erected and restored properly. Due to the fact that England has more thatched roofs than any other nation in Europe (more than 30,000), there is a robust home market in England for the installation, maintenance, and repair of thatched roofs.

Because slate and other man-made materials are used in the building of the vast majority of contemporary roofs, the job of the thatcher is sometimes seen as somewhat of an esoteric talent. The installation of thatched roofs is common among owners of period-style houses who want to maintain the property's original look. Additionally, thatched roofs are the sole option for roofs on buildings that are protected under the auspices of orders for preservation. The thatcher is responsible for handling all parts of the roof repair or installation, beginning with the design and the estimate and continuing through the carrying out of the job and providing advice on how to care for the roof once it has been installed.

Salary

Earnings may be good in this area if a lengthy time of apprenticeship has been finished; nevertheless, the job is prone to busy and quiet intervals for self-employed company owners or partnerships, as is the case with the majority of other self-employed professions. According to the interview that was conducted for the purpose of compiling this advice, skilled butchers who have a solid reputation in the community and a long list of regular customers may make between £500 and £600 each week.

Responsibilities

Determine if work on installation or repair is necessary.

Provide customer quotation

Determine a timetable for the installation of equipment or the completion of repairs.

Engage the services of an assistant, either permanently or on an as-needed basis.

Procure supplies

Make sure that the tools are well maintained.

Make sure that issues about health and safety are addressed in the appropriate manner.

To complete the agreed-upon scope of tasks within the allotted amount of time

Maintain a regular cleaning schedule and eliminate any garbage from the site.

Create invoices as needed, as well as finish any other accounting tasks.

Qualifications

To work as a thatcher, you do not need any kind of official education or training. NVQs were once offered by Knuston Hall in Northamptonshire; however, the institution has since discontinued the relevant training program.

Skills

Have the ability to determine with precision if work on installation or maintenance is necessary

Have the ability to offer a client with a quote based on your understanding of the prices of the materials and the time considerations involved.

On the basis of your previous expertise, you should be able to provide a timetable for the installation or repair work.

Engage the services of an assistant, either permanently or on an as-needed basis.

Have a working knowledge of the various methods for acquiring materials.

A basic understanding of how to maintain your tools.

A familiarity with the regulations governing health and safety in the workplace is required.

Maintain a healthy body and the ability to multitask well.

Conditions of Employment

Because this is a profession that requires working at heights, you need to have a sensible approach to health and safety, and you also need to be familiar with the regulations for health and safety in the event that the thatcher employs an assistant or protégé. It is very necessary for the thatcher to have enough employer's insurance in addition to public liability insurance in order to protect themselves from any potential losses or claims.

Due to the fact that the task is performed entirely outdoors, the applicant will be exposed to the elements on a continuous basis. Thatchers are often obliged to labor outdoors in inclement weather, such as rain or snow, and the task may be especially taxing when the temperature is high.

Experience

You may get your foot in the door of the trade by volunteering to work for free as an assistant for a thatcher. This may result in an offer of employment for the junior, who would then be responsible for doing clean-up tasks while the senior worked on completing the installation. During the course of this collaboration, a caring thatcher will make an effort to pass on their expertise to the trainee. However, this does not always occur since there are some unscrupulous employers that utilize trainees as a method of obtaining inexpensive labor. When looking for potential work opportunities, candidates need to take prudence.

Progression in One's Profession

When a candidate has successfully completed an apprenticeship, they have, in theory, acquired the skills necessary to launch their own business as a single proprietor. Once a thatcher has built up an outstanding reputation and a full order book, there aren't many other areas for them to go professionally speaking; the only option is to continue working in the same job. This may make advancement in this industry difficult.

Employers

Grant Batchelor, who is a very experienced thatcher headquartered in Chipping Norton, owns and maintains a business that is characteristic of a typical thatched roof installation enterprise. That is, the company is a small operation that is run by talented individuals who are committed to its sole goal. As a result of the relatively small scale of the industry, there are no "extremely big" installers.