Painting Job Description
At first glance, the role of a painter doesn’t seem like one with huge prospects. However, there are a growing number of painting (maintenance) jobs available online in Ireland. As we become more adept at technology, the number of people capable of performing tasks such as painting and handyman work is falling significantly.
Even if a working professional has some DIY ability, their time is taken up with their career. This is where a painting (maintenance) expert comes in handy. Before you look too far ahead and begin preparing painting (maintenance) interview questions, let’s find out more about what the role entails.
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Table of contents (skip to section)
What is a Maintenance Painter?
Maintenance Painter Duties and Responsibilities
What Skills Does a Maintenance Painter need?
Positives and Downsides to Being a Painter
Painter Salary
Painter Career Path
What is a Maintenance Painter?
A painter of this type performs a variety of skilled painting work. The goal is to maintain the interior and exterior of surfaces such as drywall, plaster, concrete, and steel. You are also expected to prepare, patch, and finish these surfaces. Not everyone appears to understand the importance of painting and maintaining surfaces.
For instance, painting a house is essential for the following reasons:
- Painting the exterior walls, trim, and other surfaces protect the property from inclement weather. A failure to update the paint leaves your home susceptible to moisture and dampness.
- If your home has plaster walls, painting minimises dust and dirt.
- The walls and surfaces of your bathrooms and kitchen need maintenance because of the amount of humidity each room is exposed to.
- Painting and sealing areas can seal off weaknesses and reduce attacks from pests.
Maintenance Painter Duties and Responsabilities
It is a versatile role with many things on your list. Bear this in mind when writing a painting (maintenance) CV. Examples include:
- Applying varnish, paint, enamel, and various other finishes to buildings and equipment.
- Applying sealers and primers to prepare new surfaces such as bare metal or wood.
- Calculating the requisite materials and estimating your costs.
- Preparing all work areas by covering surfaces with protective materials.
- Using putty, caulk, plaster, and other fillers to fill cracks and holes.
- Mixing and matching paint colours, stain, or varnish.
- Reading instructions from homeowners or supervisors.
- Removing all fixtures before beginning the project.
- Smoothing surfaces using special equipment.
- Erecting scaffolding, swing gates, and ladders when working above ground level.
Those not involved in the industry are routinely shocked when they learn the level of work performed by maintenance painters. If you are self-employed, you have to take charge of everything. This includes setting quotes, finding the right equipment, negotiating with clients, and finding subcontractors for larger jobs. Then there is the small matter of ensuring you have the right degree of insurance!
It is a job that involves indoor and outdoor work. You have the option to specialise in one or the other, though you greatly reduce the contracts you receive. If you work indoors, you must get comfortable working in confined spaces. Those who work outdoors will have to survive the unpredictable Irish weather!
The role involves a lot of travelling as you must complete projects at a client’s property. The number of hours you complete depends on who you work for. Self-employed painters can pick their hours but have no guarantee of work. Regardless of your employer, evening, and weekend work is routine.
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What skills does a Maintenance Painter need?
Successful painters tend to possess the following skills:
- Knowing how to use basic tools such as rollers, paint brushes, caulking guns, and putty knives.
- Confidence and competence when using equipment such as sanding machines.
- A level of comfort when it comes to working from heights.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- The capacity to read and understand blueprints.
- A long list of technical skills including adhering wallpaper, mixing paints, and smoothing surfaces.
- Attention to detail, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Outstanding project management skills.
- Good mathematical skills.
Make sure you mention relevant skills in your painting (maintenance) cover letter.
Positives and Downsides to being a Painter
If a company employs you, you will likely have plenty of work, especially in urban areas. It is relatively easy to get started as a self-employed painter with minimal educational qualifications. If you enjoy planning things, painting, and meeting new people, you will love the freedom, creativity, and fun involved!
It is physical work so only those in reasonable health need apply. It is an industry with stiff competition, and it isn’t easy to get work when up against established rivals. Only those with a thorough knowledge of primers, paints, and cleaning solutions should attempt to become a painter.
If you make a mess of a job, the phenomenon of online customer reviews means your reputation will take a big hit. You need insurance, and must meet other legal requirements if your plan is to be legitimate.
Painter Salary
It is tricky to find an average salary for a painter in Ireland because of the growing number of self-employed contractors. Established companies tend to provide a salary of around €35,000 per annum to painters with a proven track record. On an hourly rate, the average is approximately €14.80. You can boost your earnings by focusing on a specialisation.
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Painter Career Path
The good news is that you don’t require any formal educational qualifications to become a painter. If you have natural talent, you can apply for jobs. However, you need to create a portfolio of sorts if you wish to get taken seriously. It is the same situation if you wish to set up your own business.
You could give your reputation a boost by gaining a Painting and Decorating Qualification. The Irish Training & Educational Centre offers a course of this nature for a sale price of €229 at present. It is a Distance Learning Course comprised of 10 lessons. You have a maximum of nine months to complete it. There are also QQI awards such as the Level 3 Painting and Decorating course offered by HCT.
You can start from scratch by helping friends and family with painting jobs. Take ‘before’ and ‘after’ images to show your skill. Whether you’re trying to convince clients or companies, you need proof of your quality!
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