How to become A House Painter

Whether the client wants a facelift for their house, give their walls new life, or inject some colour into their home, a House Painter can take the ‘pain’ out of painting and create a masterpiece.

• Decorator

What do House Painters do?

A House Painter would typically need to:

• Paint the exterior and interior surfaces of new and renovated residential buildings using paint, varnishes, lacquers, sealers, or stains
• Set up a meeting with the client to have a first-hand look at the property and measure the area to be painted
• Use blueprints or layouts of the project to figure out how much paint or wall covering is required
• Give the client a fair estimate of the labour, material and service costs based on the given set of specifications and deliverables
• Sign with the client a bilateral, binding contract that includes all details of the job and obligations to be met by both parties
• Make sure all the equipment and helpers required for the task are readily available during the duration of the project
• Select the most appropriate brushes and tools for the application of paint and hanging of wallpaper
• Ensure the required paints are mixed to the correct shade, either manually or with the help of computerised colour-matching equipment
• Remove any furniture and fixtures in the area that needs to be painted; protect the area around with drop cloths or tarps
• Be prepared to climb ladders to prepare/paint elevated surfaces 
• Clean and prepare the surface to be painted by washing and stripping off the old paint/wallpaper
• Fill holes and cracks to make sure the surfaces are smooth and level; prepare the surface further with primer and undercoat
• Apply adequate layers of paint or hang wallpaper, as per prescribed specifications, so the surface looks and feels even and smooth
• Apply a top coat or veneer, so the surface is not vulnerable to insects, oxidation, or other sneaky environmental damage
• Take care that the work is done neatly, so there are no paint, dirt or other indelible marks on areas that are not being painted 
• Make sure to clean up the area and store the supplies properly at the end of the day
• Complete the project within pre-established work schedules and move-ins
• Clear the location of all debris and equipment at the end of the project; assist with clean-up
• Monitor and maintain material and supply inventory; keep the client updated on completed tasks and any issues that may crop up

House Painters will need to work indoors and outdoors based on the residential structure they agreed to paint.

You can expect to work 40-hour weeks besides the extra hours required to meet deadlines. Travelling is expected when the site is far from your place of stay. Based on your agreement with the client, you could also live on-site until the project is complete or commute.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. House Painters can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

House Painters are generally employed by: 

• Staffing and Outsourcing Companies
• Construction Companies
• Home Centres and Hardware Stores
• Building and Personnel Services

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Association of Painting Contractors, are crucial for House Painters interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Health issues from working indoors and outdoors during extreme temperatures
• Physical exhaustion due to prolonged periods spent bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing
• Exposure to dizzying heights, if working on high-rise residential complexes, and uncomfortable positions
• High probability of exposure to hazardous fumes from paints and solvents, drywall dust, and other irritants common to construction sites
• Possibility of injuries caused by falling from ladders, muscle aches from lifting heavy tools and material
• Lack of stable work and financial security

At least two to three years of prior work experience in house painting and related construction activities will favour House Painters seeking employment. Employers seek candidates familiar with drywall work, finishing, trim, and ladder work.

In addition, comprehensive working knowledge of safety protocols while using a harness or scaffolding can tip the scales in your favour. Hands-on experience in the safe operation of basic hand and power tools and exposure to carpentry and building materials is invaluable.

The required experience may vary based on the training your employer offers in painting techniques, preparing surfaces, and mixing and matching colours.

House painting companies, for example, will hire potential House Painters and train them to show their paints off to their best advantage. A two- to four-year-long apprenticeship or real-time experience is the preferred way to showcase such training. 

Prerequisites usually include a high school diploma or its equivalent. The credits gained from the apprenticeship may count toward an associate degree. 

The apprenticeship may include 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training, which teach the student about aesthetics, use of and care for painting tools and equipment, safety practices, application techniques, and wood finishing. Some painting companies ensure their apprentices learn how to run a company in terms of marketing and estimating, records and customer service. 

You may get to hear countless stories from experienced House Painters and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn simple walls into beautiful homes. Apprentices who have already worked with paint and painting tools may complete the training in a much shorter time.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow established House Painters to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Although a high school diploma or GED will suffice, most House Painters opt for a bachelor’s degree in construction management, painting, or mechanics. An associate degree in the fields mentioned above is also a viable option.

Regardless of the specific academic path, aspiring House Painters must ensure they have adequate knowledge of maths, science, the humanities, project management, and business ethics.

Certificates from technical schools may prove advantageous in securing speciality jobs.

Certification in occupational safety, health administration, CPR, First Aid, and house painting-related skills from an objective and reputed organisation can help potential House Painters stand out in a competitive job market.

In addition, you may require a lead safety certification if you wish to accept jobs to paint houses, child care centres, and preschool facilities, and the renovation work involves older structures with paint containing lead.

Furthermore, enterprising House Painters may approach the pertinent authorities in their region and be certified in protective coating, if they can show proof of requisite work experience.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. A combination of education, experience, and testing is generally required to gain certification, though requirements differ from region to region. 

Licencing requirements too vary across different locations; confirm whether you need licensure to paint houses and ensure you are familiar with the local conditions before applying for bonafide house painting and business licences.

Trade schools and community colleges generally offer programmes that lead to certification and licensure. Even those that can be obtained online necessitate in-person work experience.

House Painters may also need to apply for and carry liability insurance before opening for business.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of House Painters. You can go on to become a Team Leader, Supervisor or Manager, and ultimately become a Facilities Manager or even own your own house painting company.

Candidates skilled in painting, can communicate well verbally, possess excellent attention to detail, appreciate and maintain cleanliness, and have a great eye for colour have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active House Painter build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning.

Many promising House Painters prefer to learn on the job instead of more formal training. Understanding building codes, construction norms, and how to read blueprints will help set you up as a highly-rated professional.

In general, apprentice House Painters can work without supervision within six months of completing a painting company-sponsored-internship and can lead a crew by the end of the year. 

You should be willing to accept guidance and constructive criticism while offering your rational perspective to the leader or designated supervisor in an emotionally intelligent manner that promotes your personal and professional growth. 

Painting with Pride

House Painters who seek to help their clients create a dream house must have access to various brushes and mechanised tools such as air guns, sprays, or rollers. They must also be familiar with the best paints for a specific surface, climate, and environment.

To make good on their promise to blend quality, craftsmanship and customer care, House Painters must have an unerring aesthetic sense, a robust physique, impeccable agility and balance, and excellent time management skills.

Colourful Tidbits

Cave dwellers and ancient Egyptians blended plant dyes and other natural pigments with milk, lime, and honey to create the first house paint used to decorate their dwellings and protect them. 

A ‘red door’ signifies welcoming energy per Feng Shui, symbolised protection from the Angel of death in biblical times, and proves complete payment of one’s home mortgage in Scotland. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing House Painters have more flexible work schedules and locations. They can decide on their own schedule. However, purchasing your own equipment will be expensive.

On the other hand, a full-time House Painter would have benefits and retirement plans covered in their terms of employment. They have a greater degree of safety on the job.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time House Painter, consider the pros and cons to see what works best.

White, beige, blue, and grey were the most preferred colours for painting houses in 2021.

When an accomplished House Painter does the job right, they exceed the client’s expectations and colour their lives in the most pleasing shades.

“Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot; others transform a yellow spot into the sun.”

-Pablo Picasso