Priya Kapoor
Painting and decorating is a highly skilled and satisfying profession that is always in demand. While there is no legal requirement to become a painter and decorator, it is strongly recommended to get some formal training and qualifications. There are several training avenues open to beginners, including decorating courses and apprenticeships, which provide both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Acquiring qualifications, such as the Painting and Decorating NVQ, can reaffirm your skills and showcase your expertise to potential customers. Additionally, joining associations like the Painting and Decorating Association can provide valuable business support and networking opportunities. With experience, you can advance into management, supervision, teaching, or even start your own business.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qualifications | NVQ Level 1 & 2, City & Guilds Basic Wallpapering, Intermediate and Advanced Painting & Decorating courses |
| Training | College course, apprenticeship, learning on the job, or completing a course with a training provider |
| Skills | Eye for detail, ability to follow detailed briefs, work at heights, good with hands, strong work ethic, computer proficiency |
| Salary | Starting salary of £17,000, moving up to £32,000 with experience |
| Work | Varied, no two days or projects are the same |
| Self-employment | Potential to set your own rates and increase earnings |
| Related careers | Historical conservation, set design, interior design |
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What You'll Learn
Qualifications and courses
Although there is no legal requirement to become a painter and decorator, it is strongly recommended that you get some formal training and qualifications. Without them, it will be difficult to get a job with a decorating business, and self-employed decorators will struggle to find customers without being able to show for their skills.
There are many courses and qualifications you can take to get the certification you need. One of the most common is the Painting and Decorating NVQ, which starts at Level 1. This course will give you theoretical and practical experience, covering the right materials to use, health and safety, the range of products available, and how to mix and apply paints, varnishes, and sanding. Level 2 NVQ is the next step, designed to give you the practical knowledge, skills, and experience required to work as a qualified painter and decorator. Level 3 allows you to gain a Gold Advanced Craft Card, marking you out as a highly competent painter and decorator.
Another option is to pursue City & Guilds qualifications. This route starts with the Basic Wallpapering course, followed by Intermediate and Advanced Painting & Decorating courses. These courses will gradually build up your knowledge and practical skills over time.
There are also free online courses available, such as the one offered by Alison. This course teaches you everything you need to know about painting, plastering, wallpapering, and tiling. It covers topics such as the necessary tools and adhesives, health and safety regulations, and how to set up an emergency plan.
When choosing a course, consider factors such as whether the college is accredited, the possibility of online training, and any prerequisites for the course. It is also beneficial to gain hands-on experience through an apprenticeship, which will allow you to learn from an experienced painter and decorator and develop your own style.
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$12.81 $35
Apprenticeships
There are a variety of apprenticeship courses available, such as the Level 2 Painter and Decorator Apprenticeship, which can be found at colleges like Newcastle College and Truro & Penwith College. These courses will teach you the skills needed to become a skilled painter and decorator and provide an opportunity to work on diverse projects, ranging from residential homes to large commercial buildings.
During your apprenticeship, you will learn about the different types of services and products, employers, customers, and stakeholders in the painting and decorating sector. You will also develop communication skills, both written and verbal, using construction terminology. Additionally, you will be trained in health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance, as well as risk assessments and safe systems of work.
The apprenticeship will also focus on your personal development, emphasising effective communication and customer service skills. You will be expected to demonstrate a strong work ethic and adaptability, which will help you advance in your career. With experience, apprentices can progress into supervisory roles, manage their own businesses, or specialise in areas like interior design or heritage restoration.
Painter-decorator apprenticeships are available throughout the UK, so you should be able to find a suitable course in your local area or online.
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Practical experience
Another way to gain practical experience is by taking on hands-on projects in your own time. This could involve practising on your own or with friends and family. For example, you could offer to help a friend paint their living room or assist a family member with wallpapering their bedroom. Not only does this provide you with real-world experience, but it also helps you build a portfolio of work to showcase your skills to potential clients.
Online courses, such as the one offered by Alison, can also provide a practical learning experience. This free online course covers various aspects of the trade, including painting, plastering, wallpapering, and tiling. It teaches the necessary skills and techniques to perform these tasks professionally. The course also emphasises the importance of health and safety, personal protective equipment, and emergency planning, which are crucial aspects of any practical work.
Additionally, some colleges and training providers offer 'intensive' training programmes that provide a more condensed timeline for gaining qualifications and practical skills. These courses can help you develop the hands-on experience needed to work efficiently and effectively as a painter and decorator.
Lastly, gaining experience as a labourer or 'mate' to an established painter and decorator can be a valuable way to learn the trade. This approach allows you to work alongside experienced professionals, absorb their techniques, and develop your skills through observation and assistance. This method provides a more informal but nonetheless valuable practical learning experience.
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Health and safety
One of the key risks in painting and decorating is exposure to hazardous substances. Paints, solvents, and other decorating materials may contain harmful chemicals, lead, moulds, fungi, construction dust, or even asbestos. These substances can cause serious health issues if not handled, stored, and disposed of properly. It is important to follow guidelines such as COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) to minimise the risk of exposure. Adequate ventilation is always recommended when working with such substances to reduce the inhalation of fumes.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital to safeguard against potential hazards. This includes overalls and shoe covers to protect clothing and skin from paint, safety goggles or glasses to prevent eye injuries, gloves to safeguard hands from chemicals and cuts, and respiratory protection like masks or respirators to guard against fumes and dust.
Ladders are commonly used in the trade, and ladder safety is of utmost importance. Painters and decorators should choose the right ladder for the job, inspect it for defects, position it on a stable surface, climb safely by maintaining three points of contact, and avoid overreaching to prevent falls.
Other important considerations for health and safety in the painting and decorating profession include:
- Fall protection equipment, such as harnesses or lanyards, may be required for jobs involving heights.
- Regular safety training for employees, covering topics like health and safety regulations, PPE usage, and safe work practices.
- Encouraging open communication and fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting safety concerns.
- Developing and implementing an emergency plan to prepare for incidents like fires, chemical spills, or injuries.
- Providing first aid kits and encouraging employees to obtain first aid and CPR training.
- Staying up-to-date with the latest health and safety regulations and policies, such as those provided by HSE Docs, to ensure compliance and a safe working environment.
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Business and marketing
While it is not a legal requirement to be qualified before starting your own painting and decorating business, customers are more likely to avoid companies that cannot show evidence of their skills and qualifications. Therefore, it is recommended to invest in as many qualifications as possible.
Business
Before starting your own business, it is important to establish what you need to be a self-employed painter and decorator. Registering your business is one of the most important first steps. Ascertain the appropriate legal structure for your business (either a sole trader or a limited company) and register it with the government. Obtain any required permits or licenses for your area. As a sole trader, you will be able to keep everything you earn after tax, whereas registering as a limited company when your income is over a certain threshold could give you more credibility and allow you to charge higher rates.
You will also need to purchase the necessary painting and decorating equipment and supplies. It is important to get the right insurance, as the owner of the business is personally liable for any accidents, injuries, or property damage. All self-employed painters and decorators should consider public liability insurance, which is often required by clients. If you plan on employing staff, you must take out employers' liability insurance, and you may also want to purchase tools insurance.
Marketing
Marketing your services effectively is crucial to the success of your business. A simple website that details your skills and services, linked to social media platforms, is a good starting point. However, more traditional forms of marketing such as flyers, posters, and adverts in local newspapers are also important, as these are often relied upon by people looking for reliable tradespeople. Word-of-mouth referrals are also valuable, so impressing customers with the quality of your work and building trust are key.
To increase your earnings, you could research the most profitable areas to specialise in and focus on your local area to keep travel costs down. Scaling your business and increasing your earnings year on year will help you become an established name in your sector.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no legal requirements to become a painter and decorator, it is strongly recommended that you get some formal training and qualifications. Qualifications will make it easier to get a job with a decorating business and will help attract customers if you are self-employed. NVQ qualifications are a popular choice, starting at Level 1 and going up to Level 3. You can also take courses with City & Guilds, starting with the Basic Wallpapering course.
As well as having a good eye for detail and being neat and accurate, you should be comfortable working at heights and have good time management skills. You should also be comfortable with maths, as you will need to calculate how much material is required for a given space.
You could take a decorating course to learn the theory and skills required, or look for an apprenticeship to learn from an experienced painter and decorator. You could also try approaching local decorators to see if they would be willing to take you on.
You should practice in your own time to build your skills and get comfortable with the tools of the trade. You could also enter a painting and decorating competition to hone your skills.
Aside from the aforementioned NVQ and City & Guilds qualifications, you could take a college course or complete a course with a training provider. Some colleges and training providers offer 'intensive' training that allows you to gain qualifications in a shorter timeframe.
