Going into trade

[miracleboy]

Hi all,

Just curious about the relative benefits and restrictions about getting into the trade. At the moment I have no formal qualifications but quite a bit of experience doing jobs by word of mouth. I have found that my temperament is suited to painting and decorating and can produce good quality results, I have a good attention to small detail, patience and refuse to cut corners for example.

However, does the lack of formal qualifications restrict me from doing it professionally? Is experience and quality of work more (or as) important as certificates, or is there only so far I can go.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[dcdec]

There are no standards in this game because there's too many (in) competent diyer's, bloke down the pub, eastern european, semi - retired, firemen and handymen doing it, knock yourself out mate, i doubt you'd do any worse than most of the aforementioned.

 

[Jameswren]

Give it a whirl - if you're decent you'll get recommended.

 

[Nige F]

Yeah - go for it I had 2 decorators before me in my family - and the only 1 apprenticed was my granddad - in c.1918 dad learned from his dad and also taught a M8 of mine who used to be a gardener . Never be afraid to ask if in doubt - here on diynot or in your local decorators supply outlet . Good Luck