What it’s like to join the trade late
Posted: Tuesday, March 21st, 2023
On The Painting and Decorating Show, Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel were with Gareth Roberts, of Top Coat Painting and Decorating, to talk about the best materials for the job. “I was a bit of a late starter into decorating – I actually did plumbing first,” says Gareth. “But then I did my two years in college and I’ve now been self-employed for five years.” “I was the oldest one in the group,” he adds, “which was a little bit daunting. Some of the guys weren’t that well behaved, but I still really enjoyed my time at college. From there I started pricing jobs up right away and I got straight into it.” And the bit he found hardest to get to grips with? “Pricing,” he says. “You learn the hard way but you get it wrong and you learn. Having said that I still price them wrong now occasionally and am essentially working for free, but I think that’s part of the job really.” As to the one thing he’d do differently? “I’d start younger,” Gareth says. “I wanted to go to college and get qualified and get my CSCS card, but I could have just got cracking as I don’t do any site work now at all – it’s all internals.” To listen to the full show, click below.
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