How to become a painter and decorator in the UK

If you look at a run-down room and see a blank canvas, why not consider training to become a painter and decorator? Here’s all you need to know.

The construction and renovation industry in the UK continues to grow, and demand for new workers to deliver housing and infrastructure projects remains high. Enter the painter and decorator, the skilled professional responsible for completing those all-important finishing stages that can transform a newly built space into something special, or give new life to existing walls.

But there’s far more to it than simply picking up a brush, although bristles are definitely involved! If you’re looking for a hands-on skills-based career where every day is different, then keep reading to find out how to become a painter and decorator in the UK.

What does it take to become a painter and decorator?

Being a painter and decorator is a trade that takes both practical abilities and a good level of self-motivation.

Painter and decorators need:

• Good manual dexterity: there’s lots of precision work involved using a range of tools and techniques.
• An eye for detail: you’ll need to be able to spot things such as imperfect surfaces or mismatched paints or patterns.
• Physical stamina and a head for heights: you’ll be on your feet, up and down ladders and moving materials all day.
• Basic maths skills: this job involves making calculations about surface areas and materials.
• A cool head under pressure: being able to work to tight deadlines while following the client’s instruction is a must.
• Knowledge of safety and security guidelines: this is vital to keep you, your colleagues and members of the public safe while you work.

What does a painter and decorator do?

A painter and decorator works on the internal and external surfaces of a room or building, using materials such as paint or wallpaper to complete the project as laid out by their client.

Each job consists of multiple stages which need to be carried out with care to ensure a good finish. You might be working within brand new buildings or restoring and refurbishing existing properties.

You’ll be expected to:

• work out how much of each material you’ll need for the space you’re working on
• ensure existing finished surfaces and furniture are protected
• prepare surfaces by stripping off old wallpaper or paint, spot and fill cracks and holes in surfaces to make sure they’re level
• mix paint to the required colour (using computerised equipment if available)
• apply undercoats, primer or paint using brushes, rollers or spray equipment  
• measure, cut, paste and hang lining paper and wallpaper
• add finishes such as graining, marbling, stencilling, stains or varnishes
• tidy up after the workspace once the job is complete and clean your equipment.

Do I need qualifications to be a painter and decorator?

You don’t technically need a painting and decorating qualification to get your first job in this sector, and you can begin work as a trainee and develop your skills from there.

However, many employers will look for applicants with formal training so having a course under your belt is a definite advantage. Another big benefit to having a qualification is that it can enable you to get a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. CSCS is an organisation that provides skills certification for the UK construction industry, and the CSCS card proves that workers entering a site have the correct training and qualifications to do the required job, which helps maintain safety and improve standards.

While a CSCS card is not a legal requirement, most principal contractors and major house builders won’t let people onto their sites without one – so it’s definitely worth getting one. You can learn more about CSCS cards here.

How to find painter and decorator courses?

There are a number of relevant courses and diplomas available to those looking to pursue a career in this field, as well as apprenticeships which offer an opportunity to earn while you learn.

At Capital City College (CCC), we offer a few key courses that can help you on your way to becoming a painter and decorator in the UK. 

• Construction Skills – Level 1 Diploma 

A year-long full time course covering theory, hand skills, practical tasks relating to bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, and painting and decorating.

• Construction Skills – Level 1 Extended Certificate 

A full time one-year course offering an introduction to construction trades such as bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating, construction operations, as well as wall and floor tiling.

• Painting and Decorating – Level 2 Diploma 

This one-year full time course is for those with some painting and decorating knowledge looking to develop and practice their skills.

How much does a painter and decorator earn?

If you’re starting out as a painter and decorator, you can expect to start on around £17,000. Once you’ve got more experience, you can earn between £25,000 and £35,000. If you choose to work for yourself, with a good reputation and a sought-after skill set you could earn up to £45,000, but this all depends on how many projects you choose to take on each year.

Career progression

Once you’ve developed your painting and decorating skills, you could become a supervisor or work on project estimation or contract management for a building company. There’s also the option of specialising in specific types of painting such as heavy industrial painting, which would lead to industrial projects working on factories, warehouses or other large-scale facilities.

As a painter and decorator, you have the potential to transfer your expertise into other related fields such as heritage conservations, interior and set design and teaching in further education.

Many painters and decorators choose to become self-employed or set up their own businesses. This requires a high level of motivation, good customer service skills and the ability to market your skills or services effectively.

Next steps

If you like working with your hands and enjoy being active, then becoming a painter and decorator could be a career option worth exploring. Here are some simple next steps:

1. Check out painter and decorator courses with local training providers.
2. Attend an open day and explore their facilities and meet the teachers.
3. Apply and enrol early to ensure you get a place on your chosen course.

Interested in studying painting and decorating or a related course at CCC? Take a look at our painting and decorating courses and apply today!

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