To think I've found a big gap in the job market for women?

[SayHelloDoris]

Painting/decorating... Not even to a ridiculous level, just basic stuff.

Think good old Mrs Margaret wanting her new lounge painted but not keen on a male tradesman. She browses a bit of Internet search pop ups in her area and she stumbles upon a lady to do the job.

Is there not a gap in market for this? I know it's not legal (I think?) to advertise you are a woman painter/decorator, but surely it's fair obvious if you call yourself Sophie Painting PLC

Could this be a possibility for me to consider if I want to earn a bit of extra cash? I'm a fab painter and very passionate about home decor.

[MovingtoParadise]

It's perfectly legal and loads of people do it

[MovingtoParadise]

There's a 'lady gardener' on Mumsnet

[Livedandlearned]

In my local area there is this very business and it is really successful. Go for it! Will be hard at first but you will find your way, good luck to you.

[NormHonal]

Yes, lots round here and all v popular/highly recommended.

[biscuitmillionaire]

For example: ladydecoratorssussex.co.uk/

[Joinourclub]

In my local newspaper there are loads of adverts belonging to lady gardeners/plumbers/decorators. Not a gap in the market at all I'm afraid.

[Jupitar]

Sorry to disappoint you on your fab idea but there are loads already, well there are where I live, the lady plumber, the lady decorator, Chloe's painters etc etc I haven't been any female brickies tho if that helps?

[SayHelloDoris]

Oh wow

Thank you for the replies! I'm really interested in starting up this sort of thing. It is what I enjoy doing, working in the office is not.

[ThePinkOcelot]

I think there is definitely a market for it. I'm just correcting the total botch job that a decorator (male) has just made of my hallway. Bloody arse!!
Anyway, I digress. Go for it. Good luck.

[Fruitcorner123]

There are none that I know of where I live. I would hire you! Good luck

[Slippersandacuppa]

Our painters are female. They have been very clever with their tag line They are excellent and lovely to have around (even took my dog to the vet when I was out as she was stung by a bee and reacted badly! Who does that??). I recommend them to everyone.

[Trills]

this sort of thing. It is what I enjoy doing

Er, which?

If I wanted to employ someone to do some plastering, if they also did gardening it would put me off a bit.

[SayHelloDoris]

Trills No, just painting really!

I know nothing about gardening

[Beeziekn33ze]

Young women go on the painting and decorating course at our local college.

[user1491572121]

There's a female company near me. My DH was a painter and decorator for years op...it's really, really, hard work. I used to insist I could do it...and one day I went with him as his "assistant" and it was AWFUL!

I managed about a quarter of a day's work.

[user1491572121]

Painting your own house is a lot different to doing someone else's fast...and perfectly....for a profit.

DH is SO fast and so precise...it's taken him 25 years to get that though. It's not an "easy option" at all.

[Blossomdeary]

We had a brilliant lady to paint our kitchen. She was so tidy that she did not wear overalls or apron, but just arrived in her ordinary clothes - I have never seen anyone paint a whole room with no mess at all. Wonderful!

[YouWouldntLetItLie]

There are ads in our local village magazine for lady decorators and a handy-woman, but maybe the gap in the market is for a national franchise, like Pimlico Plumbers? You could round them all up in the villages of England, then manage them from a swanky office somewhere in Mayfair.

Quick, OP, call Deborah Meaden. You just need a snappy name now. Dulux Diana? Something to do with getting the painters in? Oh, no, wait...

[SaucyJack]

There's a women's plumbers group called Stopcocks.

[SingaSong12]

I'd be interested as it might feel safer. However just as important for me to have seen your previous work/references and and qualifications and liability insurance if appropriate.

[tava63]

Similar to user1491572121 I am not getting the impression that you realise what a challenging job being a professional painter decorator is? To do this right you have to be a great project manager - as you are the last trade in and may sometimes have to work around others. Knowing different materials to use and very importantly being able to prepare surfaces really well is hard work and requires good knowledge. Even "good old Mrs. Margaret" will have standards. I personally wouldn't use a decorator that hadn't whatever the equivalent of City and Guilds training is (made that mistake before) and some years of experience.

[BikeRunSki]

There's a lady decorator advertised near me.

[GnatsChuff]

We are currently using a female bathroom fitter. Her gender did play a role in selection. Not because I didn't want a man. But because she HAS to be good to survive and be successful in a male dominated profession where misogyny is still rife.

There are loads of female decorators round here, and Jill-of-all-trades types. Not so many female plasterers, plumbers, electricians etc.