what does a painter do?
A painter is a versatile tradesperson who can prepare and paint walls, ceilings and building façades. Their range of functions means they are increasingly asked to apply other coverings besides paint, such as wallpaper, cork or wood panelling. They may also carry out basic carpentry or insulation work.
what is your mission as a painter?
The painter’s primary mission is to apply paint inside or outside buildings. Beforehand, they agree with the client on the type of paint and finishes to be used, and select the most appropriate application tools. Before and during the work, they ensure meticulous surface preparation, whether maintaining an existing building or working on a new one. The goal is a clean and smooth surface that can receive the finishing coat, applied using the most suitable methods.
Painting is for people who are detail focused and trained in the art of finishing. Do you bring solid physical condition, strong listening skills and a good sense of aesthetics, qualities appreciated by colleagues and clients alike? Discover which skills and qualifications you need to become a building painter.
explore our vacanciesaverage salary for a painter.
As an entry level painter without a diploma, your salary starts at the unqualified social minimum, around €2,700 gross per month. After a few years of experience, you can expect to earn an average of €3,500 gross per month.
which factors determine salary in a painter's role?
Your salary depends on your training and specialisations. Specific courses enable you to master the most sought after filling and painting techniques. Location can influence pay if you are based in or near a large city where orders are more plentiful. Over time, and depending on the types of projects you take on, you can negotiate your salary very favourably.
types of painter roles.
There are different types of building painter roles, such as:
- Painter and plasterer, you prepare substrates by filling, skimming and sanding, to achieve a smooth or textured surface as desired. You mix and apply specific fillers, then install insulating wall coverings and paint.
- Decorative painter, you advise clients on the most suitable paint for the substrate and the intended design style. You prepare and apply the paint, then carry out interior decoration work.
The types of building painter roles mentioned here are examples, this list is not exhaustive.
working as a painter.
Depending on site size and the employer, a painter works alone or in a team alongside other trades, for example electrician, plumber or mason. Tasks are carried out autonomously under the supervision of a team leader or site manager. Learn more about the painter’s day to day work, working time arrangements and career prospects.
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tasks and responsibilities
Your daily work as a painter generally follows these successive steps:
- agree with the client on the type of paint, colours, finishes and properties
- select the appropriate application tools, brushes, rollers and spray guns
- prepare and transport materials, tools, protective sheets and scaffolding
- wear personal protective equipment, PPE
- secure the site and protect furniture and floors with sheeting
- set up scaffolding
- follow the specification and the paint and solvent instructions carefully
- prepare substrates, remove old coverings, apply primers and fillers
- seal and treat surfaces against damp
- sand and carry out finishing work
- mix paint, thinner and fixative where required
- apply a primer, then apply the paint using the chosen method
- work in one or more coats depending on the paint and the desired effect
- carry out interior decoration and, where required, install mirrors
- clean tools, the site and surrounding areas
- dismantle the work area and dispose of empty tins and paint residues safely
- ensure customer satisfaction
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working environment
Painting is far from being only decorative. As a building painter, you work in all weathers, indoors and outdoors. You work on varied sites, including houses, apartment buildings, offices, shops and public buildings. You are usually employed by a specialist company, most often an SME in the public or private sector, and also by large construction and civil engineering companies. You travel daily between different workplaces, and occasionally undertake longer trips for more demanding and distant projects, in Luxembourg and abroad.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues may include masons, carpenters and roofers. You may also work with plasterers and other specialists, such as joinery fitters.
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work organisation
A painter usually works 40 hours per week, that is 8 hours per day. Depending on project deadlines, and on the progress of colleagues whose work you depend on, for example masons or joinery fitters, you may work overtime, including at night and at weekends. Overtime may be paid or compensated with time off. Painting work is seasonal, with alternating quieter and busier periods. Even where demand remains strong, exterior painting depends greatly on weather conditions, which can change schedules.
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career prospects
Painting offers real progression opportunities. Your experience can lead to supervisory roles, such as site manager or team leader. By specialising, you can move into interior decoration, skimming and finishing, or glazing and painting.
You can focus on a sector and building type and become a commercial painter or an industrial painter. Finally, you may set up on your own, for example as a micro enterprise, then move to another legal form when you have enough clients to hire staff.
getting a painter role with randstad.
When you search for your building painter role with Randstad, you benefit from attractive advantages, such as:
- a wide variety of companies to work in and development opportunities
- an experienced point of contact to support you when needed
- a broad range of opportunities in your sector
- weekly or monthly pay depending on the assignment
- permanent contracts, CDI, fixed term contracts, CDD, and temporary assignments
Would you like to be hired on a CDI, permanent contract? In many cases, working in a temporary assignment as a painter is a first step and acts as a springboard to obtaining a permanent contract. Many companies also recruit employees on a CDI via Randstad.
training and skills.
To become a painter in Luxembourg, it is essential to develop both artistic and technical painting skills, although a diploma is not mandatory. Many painters learn their trade on the job and build their skills through practice. The following are the types of training and skills required to become a painter in Luxembourg:
- Painting and decorating training, to enter the profession in Luxembourg, you can complete a DAP, Diplôme d’Aptitude Professionnelle, or CCP, Certificat de Capacité Professionnelle, in decorative painting. These programmes run under an apprenticeship contract. You can also obtain a CAP or BEP in building painting. These courses cover painting techniques, types of paints and finishes, application methods and safety standards.
- Practical apprenticeship, in addition to formal training, many painters gain experience through apprenticeships or by working alongside experienced painters. Practical training helps to improve technical skills and develop an artistic style.
- Artistic and creative skills, a painter needs artistic and creative abilities to produce distinctive and aesthetic work. Mastery of colours, shades, textures and effects is important to deliver attractive and expressive finishes.
- Knowledge of materials and tools, a painter should be familiar with different types of paints, primers, varnishes and the tools used in the painting process. Knowledge of materials and tools is essential to select the right products for each surface.
- Surface preparation skills, before starting to paint, a painter must prepare the surface by cleaning, sanding and levelling imperfections. Strong preparation skills are important to achieve a smooth, professional finish.
know how and competencies.
A building painter develops qualities and acquires skills throughout their career to satisfy employers and clients. The main qualities and skills are:
- strong listening skills and a customer focused approach
- ability to work in a team
- high adaptability
- a well developed sense of aesthetics
- spatial awareness
- use of measuring tools
- taking and transferring dimensions on site and on plans
- accurate estimation and adherence to deadlines
- calculating, drafting and issuing a detailed, priced quotation
- compliance with, and application of, safety rules and instructions
- scaffolding assembly techniques
- ability to assess the quality and soundness of a substrate
- knowledge of components, ratios and mixtures
- application of fillers and skim coats
- use of different brushes, flat, bristle, cutting in, and rollers
- basic paint application techniques, brush, roller or spray
- specific methods, stencilling, limewash, patina, friezes
- safe use of hand and power tools, sander, paint sprayer
- painting work on all substrates
- installation of coverings
- cutting glass and basic installation of panes and decorative mirrors
- thermal and acoustic insulation and compliance
- application of quality control procedures
FAQs.
FAQs about the building painter profession
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is painting work very physical?
Painting requires a certain level of strength and good resistance to repetitive movements, in particular when painting ceilings with arms raised. The use of extension poles and suitable postures is very helpful.
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can a painter paint any material?
A building painter knows how to apply paint coatings to all common materials, concrete, plaster, wood and metal. They can also advise clients on the most suitable coverings and tools for each substrate, as the choice of paints has expanded considerably, including colour and material effects such as droplets or sponge effects.
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is painting a dangerous profession?
A building painter works on construction or renovation sites and, like colleagues, is exposed to the risks presented by tools and machinery. The use of paints also involves more frequent exposure to chemical substances. Collective and personal protective equipment, including masks, are there to protect workers.
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is becoming a painter interesting?
As a building painter, you will encounter a wide variety of substrates and processes, which leads you to keep up with technical and stylistic developments, components and standards, a genuinely engaging aspect of the profession.
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does a painter work in an environmentally responsible way?
Environmental responsibility is a true added value today, for building painters and their clients, employers and suppliers. Paints produced with more natural compositions, or simply free of VOCs, volatile organic compounds, are now available, particularly for interiors. You will also ensure that any remaining paint is disposed of and recycled at a waste facility.
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how do you apply for a painter role?
Applying is straightforward, create a Randstad account and browse the vacancies in your sector, then send us your CV and covering letter.
