Painter
On this page
- What's it like to be a Painter?
- How to become a Painter
- Latest Painter jobs
- Top skills and experience for Painters
- Is Painter the right role for you?
- Painter role reviews
What's it like to be a Painter?
A Painter (Kaiwhakapaipai Whare) applies paint and other coatings, such as varnish, to the insides and outsides of homes, commercial buildings and public buildings. As well as applying paint, Painters may also remove old paint, prepare rooms and surfaces and erect low-level scaffolding. Painters consult with clients on the colour and type of paint they use. They may work for a painting, decorating or home renovation company, or they may run their own business. They typically work regular business hours but may need to start or finish early, or work at nights or on weekends, to complete jobs to a timeline.
Tasks and duties
- Reading blueprints and instructions to determine the requirements for the job, including the quantity of materials needed and the style requirements of clients.
- Preparing walls and surfaces for painting by washing them down, scraping, filling holes and cracks, and removing old paint.
- Using paint brushes and other painting equipment to apply paint.
- Applying decorative finishes to paint jobs such as lettering and glazing.
- Reviewing each job to ensure nothing has been missed.
How to become a Painter
A common path to becoming a Painter is to complete an apprenticeship.
Find a painting company that takes on apprentice painters. Work towards a National Certificate in Painting and Decorating (Level 4), which typically takes 2-3 years. Completing an apprenticeship is a good way to earn a wage while learning necessary skills on the job and earning a qualification.
Work as a Painter for a company, or forge your own path by setting up a painting business. Being a business owner may require some marketing and financial skills.
