Painter & decorator

A painter and decorator prepares and finishes the interior and exterior surfaces of buildings. They prep surfaces by cleaning, sanding, and filling, apply primer and paint or other finishes, hang wallpaper, and add decorative touches — protecting surfaces and transforming how a space looks.

The work is physical and detail-oriented, with much of the quality coming from careful preparation and a steady, clean hand. Painters and decorators work for contractors, run their own businesses, or work solo, in homes and commercial spaces.

The job suits practical, tidy, patient people who enjoy hands-on work with an immediate visible transformation and the satisfaction of leaving a space looking fresh and finished.