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Painter Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A Painter, or Painter and Decorator, paints and applies wallpapers and other decorative and protective finishes to a wide range of surfaces. Their duties include preparing surfaces, mixing and applying paints and supervising painting projects.

Painter duties and responsibilities

Painters are responsible for site preparation, colour matching, surface preparation and applying paint and other finishes to walls, ceilings, furniture and other surfaces. Additional duties and responsibilities include:

  • Working with clients to ensure they complete the work according to the requirements
  • Measuring the work area to calculate the time and materials required to complete the project
  • Preparing the surrounding area, including covering fixtures and furniture to prevent messes
  • Preparing painting surfaces, including removing old paint, filling holes and cracks and washing walls
  • Choosing the tools to complete the job
  • Mixing and matching paints and colours to meet the texture and look required for the project
  • Applying paint, varnishing and other finishes, hanging wallpapers and other decorative products
  • Cleaning up painting tools and supplies, replacing fixtures and rearranging furniture after completing the project
  • Collaborating with painters on other larger jobs
  • Working with other construction professionals such as, carpenters, electricians and plumbers when necessary

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Painter Job Description Examples:

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What does a Painter do?

A Painter performs a wide range of functions in the construction and decorative industries to make the appearance more attractive and protecting the interior and exterior of structures. The Painter examine surfaces to determine the best finishes for the job and estimate the amount of work required. They follow instructions and read blueprints of buildings to complete the job.

Before painting, a Painter must prepare the work area, including covering plumbing and lighting fixtures and building scaffolding. Other surface preparation they need to do includes removing old paint and making the surface level to bring out the best in the painted structure. Painters must also maintain painting and decorating equipment and ensure that they are enforcing health and safety standards while on site.

Painter skills and qualifications

Painters need a combination of various skills and qualifications to succeed in their role. A successful Painter candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, that include:

  • Working knowledge of painting and decorative techniques
  • Ability to work at heights
  • Thoroughness and attention to detail
  • Good maths skills to calculate work surface and materials
  • Experience with using painting and decorating tools such as brushes, spray guns and hand scrapers
  • Excellent balance and manual dexterity

Painter experience requirements

An experienced Painter must have several years of experience mixing paints using manual and computerised equipment. Painters must also have experience estimating project budgets, matching paint colours to achieve shades required for the project and preparing and applying different finishes including paints, varnishes, glazing and wallpapers. Employers may look for specific, proven experience as a residential or commercial Painter or Decorator.

Painter education and training requirements

Painters must have the minimum General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs). However, some employers prefer candidates who have a higher education college course or completed a Painter intermediate apprenticeship. It’s helpful if a candidate has a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating. Some employers recruit painters who have experience of working as a Painter and Decorator’s Mate or Labourer. Painters must have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or the equivalent, before they can train or work on a construction site,

Painter salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Painter in the UK is £14.03 per hour. This figure varies depending on several factors, including the client or employer, job duties and responsibilities, location and experience.

Job description samples for similar positions

Here are job description samples for similar positions if you are not looking to recruit a Painter:

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Painter job description FAQs

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