Oct 2014
Have you decided that you want to become a plasterer, carpenter or decorator? If so, the first thing that you will need to consider is the types of courses and qualifications you will need. Luckily, there are hundreds of courses out there so all you need to do is find the right one for you.
One of the best ways of getting into the trade business is taking part in an apprenticeship which means you will earn money while learning on the job. Even during this stage it is essential that you protect yourself with tradesman liability insurance that can cover you against any accidents or incidents. Want to know more? Here, Nova Insurance explains how you can become a tradesman…
Plasterer
Carpenter or Joiner
Decorator
Plumber
Electrician
Roofer
Plasterer
If you are practical, accurate and good with your hands then becoming a plasterer is just for you. Being a plasterer means that you will be applying plaster to walls, ceilings or other structures so that they are smooth and ready for painting or decorating. This job requires mathematical skills so that you can work out the amount of plaster needed for each job. You will also be standing on your feet all day, so physical fitness is a must.
The three types of plastering include:
Dry lining – Dry lining is putting wallboards or plasterboards together using timber or a metal frame. You then cover the seals using filler or adhesive and tape over the seal and apply plaster ready for decoration.
Solid Plastering – Covering a wall or surface and creating a finish so that they are suitable for painting or decorating.
Fibrous plastering – Using casts and fibres shaped with moulds to create ornamental patterns i.e. a ceiling rose or architrave.
Being a plasterer is a laborious job in where you can work around 39 hours a week Monday to Friday, and you may even find you have to work weekends to finish a job. The starting salary could be anywhere between £14,000 and £17,000 per annum. When qualified you can earn from £17,000 to £25,000 or more, but the more hours you put in, the more money you earn. You don’t technically need to be qualified to become a plasterer but clients may prefer someone who is qualified. You could do this by starting as an apprentice or you could get the experience by becoming a plasterer’s ‘mate’ or labourer. Any plasterer whether an apprentice or a experienced worker, needs Plasterer Insurance in case of any damage, injury or theft.
Carpenter or Joiner
Just like a plasterer, you don’t need any official qualifications to become a carpenter or a joiner, but most employers would want some sort of experience. If you enjoy being creative and working with wood, carpentry is for you. Carpenters and joiners create wood fixtures and fittings or install them as part of a project or job. An apprenticeship scheme would again, be a great way to learn and get a qualification while earning money. In this job you need a good eye for detail and mathematical skills to measure and work out angles. You will also need to be able to follow technical plans and drawings.
The job description:
• Making, constructing or fitting doors, window frames, furniture and staircases
• Building temporary supports for setting concrete
• Shaping and cutting timber for floors, window frames and skirting boards
• Making and fitting interiors for businesses or public buildings
You can specialise in just one or two of these areas but can also be able to practice all of them. As a carpenter you will generally work between 39 to 45 hours per week, similar to a plasterer, and overtime may be necessary. The starting salary with little to no experience is between £13,000 and £16,000 per annum. When qualified you can earn between £17,000 and £23,000 per annum but as you gain more experience you can earn around £28,000 or more. To develop and train, you can gain qualifications on a wide range of skills including bench work, site work, timber frame erection and many more. Don’t forget to get yourself Carpenter or Joiner insurance in case of an incident.
Decorator
Painters and decorators use their skills to cover, enhance and protect walls and surfaces. The surfaces are normally metal, wood or plaster. This job is great for artistic types with a keen eye for detail and a steady hand. Being a painter also means that you may often be up ladders or on high surfaces so you need a good head for heights. Same as the above two trades, employers would usually look for someone with experience but you could always work as a labourer or an apprentice.
When working as a painter or decorator you can be involved in a range of different projects at a variety of places. The jobs could be based in homes, offices, shops etc. and could take you just two hours or months to complete.
The job involves:
• Measuring different surfaces to see how much paint or covering is needed
• Stripping walls
• Mixing paint to the correct shade
• Painting rooms and hanging wallpaper
• Filling holes or cracks, making any un-even surfaces level
• Preparing surfaces
• Tidying up
A painter or decorator works around 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday and may have to work weekends to meet deadlines. Starting salaries for employees, depending on experience, will be from £14,500 to £17,000 per annum. Qualified painters and decorators can earn between £17,500 and £23,000 per annum and if you are experienced you can earn £23,000 or more. You can do many courses or qualifications to enhance your knowledge and experience, for example a Level 1, 2 or 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating. Any one who works within the decorating industry must make sure they have Tradesman Liability insurance in case of any loss, damage or injury.
Plumber
Being a plumber is great for anyone who is practical and likes a challenge. It is a physical job with long working hours. To become a qualified plumber you need to do the level 2 or 3 plumbing qualification. When working as a plumber you will have to follow in depth drawings and plans so you need a good attention to detail.
If you are a plumber, the job will depend on where you are working and could include:
• Fitting weather-proof materials
• Installing and repairing heating systems
• Fixing or servicing air conditioning units
• Servicing ventilation
• Installing or fixing home appliances i.e. baths or washing machines
• Installing and repairing water supplies
• Servicing gas or oil-fired central heating systems, radiators or boilers
• Installing and repairing drainage
All plumbers will need to use power tools and even welding equipment. Plumbers work about 40 hours a week but may need to work longer hours if jobs aren’t finished. You may work for a company that offers a 24-hour call-out service you will probably also end up working weekends, evenings and even bank holidays. If you choose to be self-employed, you can choose your own hours. The starting salary for a plumber is slightly more than some other tradesman jobs because you must be qualified to work as one. The starting salary is £16,500 to £21,000 a year. More experienced plumbers will be earning between £21,000 and £35,000 per annum. In case of any loss, theft or damage you must ensure all of your workers have Plumbers Insurance.
Electrician
As an electrician, you will repair, fit and install electricals including circuits and wiring either at shops, homes or work places. To become an electrician you will need industry recognised training and qualifications. You will also need certain skills to be an electrician, including attention to detail, the ability to follow plans, diagrams and drawings, and accurate measuring skills.
An electrician’s job is probably one of the most varied when it comes to projects. Electricians need to install, fix, test, find faults and make sure electrical systems are working.
There are different areas of this career:
• Installation Electrician – installing lighting, security, data-network systems, power systems and fire protection
• Machine Repair and Rewind Electrician – repairing and maintaining electrical motors
• Maintenance Electrician – checking systems to make sure they are working safely
• Highway Systems Electrician – street lighting and traffic management systems
• Electro Technical Panel Builders – installing and building control panels
Electricians work in all kinds of areas from homes to sports stadiums so the job is very varied. Electricians work around 37 hours a week but may need to do overtime. If you start off as an apprentice you will be earning around £8,000 a year but as soon as you are qualified you will be earning between £17,000 and £20,000. With a few years of experience you will be earning from £23,000 to £30,000 or more. Being an electrician is a dangerous trade so make sure you have Electrician Insurance in case of any incidents.
Roofer
Roofers will re-slate roofs or restore lead sheets on old buildings but all roofers will need a good head for heights. Number skills are essential to work out how many tiles you will need for a certain area for example.
Many young workers start as a labourer and learn while on the job but you can also do courses or become an apprentice.
Daily duties include:
• Cutting and fitting lead
• Sealing joints on roofs with mortar
• Fixing a broken or degrading roof
• Cutting and measuring materials to the size needed
• Fixing or removing broken slates or tiles
• Checking roof timbers are safe
You can choose to become specifically trained for jobs within roofing i.e. lead work. If you had a specialised trade you would usually work alongside joiners and plumbers.
Typically roofers work around 40 hours a week but if a job needs finishing then overtime may be required.
Roofers earn from £13,000 to £15,000 a year as a labourer which will then go up to between £16,000 and £24,000 once qualified. After a few years’ experience roofers can earn up to or more than £31,000 a year. As a roofer you spend a lot of time on high and unsafe roofs so make sure you have Roofers Insurance in case anything goes wrong.
With this article you have all you need to know about becoming a tradesman. If you have the motivation to work a physical job with potential long working hours, then any of these trades are perfect for you!
