Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

66 replies

SayHelloDoris · 16/05/2017 22:25

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 Blush

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.

OP posts:
MovingtoParadise · 16/05/2017 22:26

It's perfectly legal Grin and loads of people do it

MovingtoParadise · 16/05/2017 22:26

There's a 'lady gardener' on Mumsnet Grin

Livedandlearned · 16/05/2017 22:27

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 · 16/05/2017 22:28

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

biscuitmillionaire · 16/05/2017 22:28

For example: ladydecoratorssussex.co.uk/

Joinourclub · 16/05/2017 22:28

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 · 16/05/2017 22:28

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?

Original poster
SayHelloDoris · 16/05/2017 22:29

Oh wow Grin

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.

OP posts:
ThePinkOcelot · 16/05/2017 22:30

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 · 16/05/2017 22:30

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

Slippersandacuppa · 16/05/2017 22:31

Our painters are female. They have been very clever with their tag line Wink 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 · 16/05/2017 22:34

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.

Original poster
SayHelloDoris · 16/05/2017 22:36

Trills No, just painting really!

I know nothing about gardening Blush

OP posts:
Beeziekn33ze · 16/05/2017 22:48

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

user1491572121 · 16/05/2017 22:49

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 · 16/05/2017 22:51

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.

GardenGeek · 16/05/2017 22:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blossomdeary · 16/05/2017 22:53

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 · 16/05/2017 22:55

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 · 16/05/2017 22:57

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

SingaSong12 · 16/05/2017 22:58

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 · 16/05/2017 22:58

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.

KarmaNoMore · 16/05/2017 22:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 16/05/2017 23:00

There's a lady decorator advertised near me.

GnatsChuff · 16/05/2017 23:00

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.