Career as a Painter and Decorator

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  ms_caz on 30/01/2016 - 12:04

  +2

  I think the biggest issues would be the competition between skilled, qualified tradespeople and those who are people who pick up a ladder and a paint brush and call themselves painters/handymen.

  We had a "painter" complete a patch up and cover up of a rental property recently - it was cheap and it looked okay but I know it's not a quality job and that it won't last. Our "painter" was cash in hand - "Aussie" Bob (not his real name) who was able to give us a tax receipt if we paid an extra X amount of $. For the circumstances it was a risk we took. (we also had a break in where all of the paint, painters tools, our own tools etc were "stolen" - not covered by the insurance and I am not convinced it wasn't the painter himself who did the "break-in")

  On the other hand there are skilled tradespeople who have qualified in their area, who are able to apply a range of finishes, who are knowledgeable and who are members of their professional association. (http://www.masterpainters.asn.au/)

  I think that it is increasingly likely that the latter will be priced out of the market by the likes of Aussie Bob. Which one are you aiming to be?

  I'd look on the Master Painters site as they have an apprenticeships and employment section.

  • 

    NickW99 on 30/01/2016 - 19:24

    Sounds like you got a lemon of a painter.

    If I were doing a trade I would look to become a member of the relevant professional association, just like for other professional careers.

    I don’t see how tradies who give people the run around get anywhere. To be successful I think that you need to at least be reliable, communicate well, provide a quality service etc. and this will assist to build a good reputation. At the same time I believe that you need to work smart and put the hard yards in to make success happen. This is my attitude for any career whether it be a trade or other.

    Thanks for the link, I will have a look to see what additional information I can find on there :)

• 

  altomic on 30/01/2016 - 12:06

  +1

  Get a job as a painter with a painting company. Work there for 6 months and learn everything you can. Try and get some experience with the assessing and quotation side of it. Get an idea of what equipment you will need and set up costs.

  • 

    NickW99 on 30/01/2016 - 19:40

    Thanks for your response. What are the the advantages of doing an apprenticeship are over what you describe above? If you don't do an apprenticeship, are you able to become qualified?

    • 

      altomic on 30/01/2016 - 20:45

      not so much an "apprenticceship" in the classic sense. more of a "steal the knowledge of running a painting business, and at the same time pick up professional painting tips".

      i painted the exterior of my house and some rooms. with the skills I learned I could be a painter. however there is the other side of running a painting business such as quoting, sourcing equipment, how to paint effectively, etc etc.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 30/01/2016 - 17:58

  +1

  Don't do it. You'll regret it. Everyone is a "painter" or a "Photographer". To much competition for ordinary pay.

  • 

    NickW99 on 30/01/2016 - 19:32

    I know what you mean about photographers, it's almost depressing to think how difficult it must be to find your own niche.
    Do you not think that if you can build a good reputation for yourself by doing quality work for customers and prove that you are reliable, that you can find success in that way?

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  cDNA on 30/01/2016 - 19:09

  Get bored talking to pig headed contracters, old men and looking at a screen all day?

  • 

    NickW99 on 30/01/2016 - 19:26

    Do you know this from first hand experience?

    • 

      cDNA on 30/01/2016 - 20:07

      I was referring to your structural engineering job. hahaha

      • 

        NickW99 on 31/01/2016 - 19:37

        Oh haha, perhaps all of the above.

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  kallen on 30/01/2016 - 20:11

  +1

  If you are looking to gain an apprenticeship at 25 it will be difficult to find a tradesman/company willing to put you on as an apprentice but should not be impossible especially if you are keen. It may be worth looking for some work experience and possibly completing a certificate 2 on painting & decorating if there is an RTO close to you that runs this course.

  I'm not associated with the painting and decorating trade, but often work relatively close.

  • 

    NickW99 on 31/01/2016 - 19:47

    Thanks a lot kallen, looks like a good course that covers a lot of the basic skills and knowledge required.

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  scrimshaw on 30/01/2016 - 20:53

  don't engineering jobs pay well? (70K median according to Payscale) I would assume that they usually pay better than most jobs and are fairly 'cushy' — ie. look at a screen all day and not have to worry about breaking a leg if you fall off a ladder or something.

  • 

    cDNA on 30/01/2016 - 21:07

    Try 100k+ for consulting structural engineering after 5 years of experience.

    • 

      NickW99 on 31/01/2016 - 19:27

      If the typical salary for a structural engineer 5 years out was 100k+, then the median salary for structural engineers would be well over 70k. Unless you are in mining or oil and gas you will not be earning 100k after 5 years.

      • 

        cDNA on 01/02/2016 - 09:17

        My best mate is a structural engineer and he is earning over 100k. He has 6 years experience, and you're right, he works out in the middle of nowhere in coal, gas and precious mineral exploration.

  • 

    NickW99 on 31/01/2016 - 19:36

    Sure, the salary for structural engineers may be above average. Although, just because a dentist may get paid truckloads that doesn't mean that I want to be looking in peoples mouths all day.