Painter and Decorator CV Example
A painter and decorator CV showcases your skills in surface preparation, paint application, and decorative finishing for residential and commercial properties.
Recommended template: Modern
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Specify the range of techniques you are proficient in, from brush and roller to airless spray.
- Include any NVQ qualifications or guild memberships related to painting and decorating.
- Mention experience with specialist finishes such as heritage restoration or commercial coatings.
- Highlight your ability to work to tight deadlines while maintaining a high-quality finish.
Ready to build your CV?
Start with the Modern template and customise it for your construction role.
How to Write Your Painter and Decorator CV
A painter and decorator CV should showcase the quality of your work, the range of techniques you can apply, and your ability to work across different environments. Whether you work on commercial sites or for domestic clients, employers and customers want to see evidence of clean workmanship, reliability, and the ability to meet deadlines without compromising on finish quality. Your CV should present your skills, qualifications, and track record clearly and concisely.
CV Structure
Use a simple reverse-chronological format with a profile, work experience, qualifications, and skills sections. For each role, describe the types of properties and the scale of work undertaken. Include achievements related to quality, speed, and customer satisfaction. List your NVQ qualifications and CSCS card details prominently. Keep the CV to one or two pages.
CV Format
Keep the template clean and professional. Avoid overly decorative designs — let the content demonstrate your professionalism. Use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements, and ensure your contact details and qualifications are easy to find. A PDF format preserves your layout when sent to employers or agencies.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Painter & Decorator
Skilled painter and decorator with nine years of experience delivering high-quality finishes on residential new-builds, refurbishments, and commercial properties. Proficient in brush, roller, and airless spray application with expertise in surface preparation, wallpaper hanging, and colour matching. Holds NVQ Level 3 in Decorative Finishing and a blue CSCS card with a reputation for clean, efficient workmanship.
Commercial Painter
Experienced commercial painter specialising in large-scale interior and exterior painting contracts for offices, schools, and healthcare facilities. Skilled in working from scaffolding and mobile platforms, applying industrial coatings, and managing areas within occupied buildings with minimal disruption. Known for meeting demanding programme deadlines while maintaining consistent paint coverage and finish quality.
Self-Employed Decorator
Established self-employed decorator with eight years of experience serving domestic clients across Hertfordshire, offering a full range of interior and exterior decorating services. Experienced in wallpaper hanging, specialist paint effects, and period property restoration. Builds long-term client relationships through transparent pricing, reliable scheduling, and a meticulous attention to finishing detail.
State your years of experience, your key techniques, and the types of properties you work on. Mention your qualification level and CSCS card. Include one quality that defines your approach, such as meticulous attention to detail or strong customer relationships.
Key Skills for Your Painter and Decorator CV
Interior & Exterior Painting
Applying paints, stains, and coatings to walls, ceilings, woodwork, and external surfaces using appropriate techniques and tools.
Wallpaper Hanging
Measuring, cutting, pasting, and hanging wallpaper and vinyl wall coverings to achieve a seamless, professional finish.
Surface Preparation
Filling, sanding, priming, and preparing surfaces to ensure optimal paint adhesion and a smooth finished appearance.
Spray Painting
Operating airless spray equipment to apply paint and coatings efficiently on large commercial and industrial surfaces.
Colour Matching
Mixing and matching paint colours to achieve exact specification requirements or replicate existing colour schemes.
Health & Safety Compliance
Following safe working practices including COSHH compliance, working at height regulations, and correct use of PPE.
Dust-Free Finishing
Applying techniques and environmental controls to achieve high-quality finishes in dust-sensitive and occupied environments.
Customer Relations
Communicating clearly with clients, managing expectations, and ensuring satisfaction through quality workmanship and professional conduct.
Work Experience Examples
Describe the types of projects and the scale of work for each role. List specific techniques such as spray painting, wallpaper hanging, or specialist coatings. Include achievements that demonstrate quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. If self-employed, mention your turnover and customer review ratings as evidence of your reputation.
Painter and Decorator
Prestige Decorating Contractors
Carried out painting and decorating work on commercial office fit-outs and refurbishment projects valued between £500K and £5M across London.
Responsibilities
- Prepared surfaces including filling, sanding, priming, and masking to achieve a flawless base for paint application.
- Applied emulsion, gloss, and specialist coatings using brush, roller, and airless spray equipment to specified film thicknesses.
- Hung wallpaper and vinyl wall coverings in accordance with manufacturer instructions and design specifications.
- Worked from scaffolding, cherry pickers, and mobile towers to access high-level areas on commercial buildings.
- Protected finished surfaces and adjacent areas from paint damage using masking tape, dust sheets, and protective film.
Achievements
- Completed a 15,000 sq ft office repaint two days ahead of programme, allowing the client to reoccupy the space before the planned date.
- Received written praise from the main contractor's project manager for achieving an exceptional spray finish on a boardroom ceiling.
- Maintained zero paint defects across a 50-unit apartment complex handover, with no snagging items raised for the decorating package.
Self-Employed Decorator
Self-Employed
Provided interior and exterior decorating services to domestic clients, managing all aspects of the business from quotation to completion.
Responsibilities
- Visited clients to assess requirements, provide detailed quotations, and agree colour schemes and finishes.
- Carried out complete interior redecoration projects including ceilings, walls, woodwork, and wallpaper hanging.
- Applied exterior masonry paint, wood stain, and protective coatings to domestic properties and outbuildings.
- Managed business operations including scheduling, material purchasing, invoicing, and customer follow-up.
Achievements
- Built a client base generating over £60,000 annual turnover through referrals and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Maintained a 4.9-star rating on Checkatrade across 85 verified customer reviews over a four-year trading period.
Education & Qualifications
List your NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Painting and Decorating or Decorative Finishing first. Include your CSCS card details. Mention any additional certifications such as IPAF, PASMA, or working at height. If you have completed specialist courses in spray painting or heritage decoration, include these.
NVQ Level 2/3 Painting and Decorating
National Vocational Qualification demonstrating competence in surface preparation, paint application, and decorative finishing.
Blue CSCS Card
Skilled worker Construction Skills Certification Scheme card confirming trade qualification and health and safety competence.
PASMA Towers for Users
Certification for erecting and using mobile access towers safely, commonly required on commercial decorating projects.
IPAF Licence
International Powered Access Federation licence for operating cherry pickers and scissor lifts for high-level access work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a painter and decorator put on their CV?
How do I present self-employed decorating experience on my CV?
Should I include photos of my work on a painter and decorator CV?
How important is spray painting experience for a decorator CV?
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