Is Decorating Even a Trade?

I saw a meme / joke on a Facebook forum. Some daft builder’s page asking if decorating is even a trade?

If it wasn’t for painters and decorators, every other trade out there would need to up their game by 100%. From what I see, we save joiners who can’t cut, screw, nail or measure.

Sparks that can’t wire, place outlets, or make a hole in even the same vicinity as a spotlight should go.

Plumbers that can’t seal two lengths of copper or pvc pipe together. They can’t even get up from the floor without putting a dirty great handprint on the wall.

Plasterers that think a smooth flat surface is code for a braille, or some sort or representation of the French alps.

Carpet fitters who think our flawless walls are jousting targets for the ends of their rolls of carpets. They also seem incapable of cutting a bit of carpet without putting a 9″ wide slice an inch deep in a finished skirting board.

Window fitters who don’t know the difference between caulk and silicone.

Just to top it off, before we even start we’ve got to sweep up every other trades’ sh*t because they can’t be bothered.

When you think about it, decorators are not a trade, we’re THE trade. The miracle workers of the construction industry. And just to add insult to injury, by the time we come along the sparks and joiners have used up 80% of the budget. We’re expected to snag their work for peanuts!! 😅 😅 😅

Decorators do not get enough credit. From product knowledge like knowing the best ceiling paint to use in a certain area, and water-based paints, to our methods. A lot of decorators now specialise in certain branches of the trade. We understand the industry as a whole and know how to use it to our advantage.

To my mind, we’re above other trades. Gas engineers who do the same thing day-in, day-out. Working in tight spaces or in stuffy lofts. Sparks who simply don’t care about how a job looks. We are kings, and don’t anyone forget it!