Painter and Decorator
Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper and other finishes to the inside and outside of buildings.
Day-to-day tasks
In this job, you will:
- work out how much paint or wall covering is needed for a job
- lay down dust sheets and prepare materials
- strip off old wallpaper or layers of paint
- fill holes and cracks and make sure surfaces are level
- cover surfaces with primer and undercoat
- mix paint to the right shade, often using computerised colour-matching equipment
- apply coats of paint or hang wallpaper
- add special finishes like stains, varnishes or marbling
- tidy up after finishing, and clean your tools
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- customer service skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
Industry Qualifications
If you want to be a painter and decorator, you can either start by taking a course at UCM college or working on the job with a company that already specialises in decorating.