So, is Becoming a Residential Painter Right for You?
As you examine your career options, you may be curious by the market opportunity that joining a trade union offers. Maybe you’ve even experimented with painting your home or that of a friend, and thought about making residential painting your career choice.
Here are some common questions we’ve received from those interested in pursuing a full-time career as a residential painter:
- What does a residential painter do?
Residential painters are skilled craftspeople who apply paint to interior and exterior surfaces typically within a residential home. That may extend to apartment buildings, condominiums or even retirement homes. Painting takes precision and a residential painter needs to know how to prep areas, manage around areas where occupants may still be living, move furniture to protect it from spillage, and restore personal items back to their original spots post cleanup. Depending on your skillset, you may be asked to apply special coatings or even wallpaper.
- What skills are required to become a residential painter?
Simply put, you need to know your trade. That means understanding the process of preparing surfaces for painting and understanding the various types of paints and special coatings, and which will apply best to the specific surfaces in the home. You will of course, through a painting apprenticeship, learn techniques in applying paint while limiting waste and mess. Physicality is also a requirement. You need to be relatively fit as you will be climbing ladders, stretching, reaching, and squeezing into corners. If you are painting exteriors, you may be subject to inclement weather conditions, so you need to be adaptable. Finally, you will also need good listening skills and be able to effectively communicate scope, costs, and timeline to your customer so that the project happens as seamlessly as possible.
- How do I start a career as a residential painter?
Having a minimum Grade 10 education is required. You can then enroll in a fully accredited apprenticeship program beginning with a pre-apprenticeship course, and it will take 3-4 years. This typically includes both field and classroom training. Completion of a 6,000-hour apprenticeship program and completing your Red Seal Certificate will qualify you. If you are ambitious, you can run your own site in about 3 years, or diversify and become a crew leader, operations manager, or even an estimator. You can even start your own residential painter business.
- What is the job outlook for a residential painter?
Right now, trades are booming due to a shortage of skilled labour driving increased demand. Construction projects continue to grow calling for building and, of course, painting. All new walls, ceilings, and cabinets need paint.
For residential painters, renovations will unlikely slow down. Whether it be new builds or simply a need to refresh existing interiors, a residential painter will always be in demand. The housing market has been strong, and is expected to continue despite inflation and higher interest rates. Also, multi-tenant apartments and condominiums will continue to require fresh paint to restore the property, so residential painters will always have options.
Start Your Career as a Residential Painter
Starting a career as a residential painter can be a smart choice. Whether you choose to go to college first or begin immediately, you can rest assured that having a trade will benefit you for a lifetime. By joining a painter’s union, you’ll get the opportunity to train, develop your skills, earn competitive wages, and gain job security. You will be building a pension for when you retire as well. Find out more by contacting us today.
