Training & careers

So you want to be a decorator?

So you're convinced - what next?

Heavyweight support

Everyone knows that having a big name backer can instantly put you one step ahead of the competition. This is just one of the reasons why hundreds of decorators nationwide have joined the Dulux Trade Select Decorator scheme.

Becoming a member of Dulux Select Decorators will not only secure better quality jobs, but also provide the backing and support that only the Dulux brand can offer you and your business.

By becoming a member of Dulux Select Decorators, you'll become part of an elite group of decorators from around the country and you'll also be able to offer your customers reassurance and piece of mind - after all your work is guaranteed by Dulux Trade.

Getting the basics right

Now for the boring stuff - admin can seem like a thankless task that keeps you away from what you love doing most, but once up and running, the jobs become easier and more straight forward and help you understand your company.

No business can survive long without a basic record-keeping system. There are basics that you should always have up to date, such as:

  • All money received
  • All receipts and records of what has been spent
  • All products bought and sold

There's no reason you can't keep your records on paper, but it can be more efficient to use a computerised system. That way you can easily add, delete, amend and share your data.

Also the computer program will help you recalculate your running totals, saving you a lot of work.

Some banks offer free accountancy software (as well as business advice) or you could simply buy the best program for your needs. Some of the most popular ones include: Microsoft Money, Intuit Quicken and Sage Instant Accounting.

You'll find examples of record-keeping spreadsheets at www.businesslink.gov.uk which can be adapted for your own needs. The Business Link website also offers help in choosing the right VAT scheme for your business, including the Flat Rate Scheme which makes VAT a lot less complicated.

Help is at hand

There are numerous trade associations out there ready and willing to help, run by painters and decorators with years of experience. Here's just a few:

The Painting and Decorating Association is a trade association for the painting and decorating industry. The PDA can offer advice and guidance on legal issues, vehicle leasing and other business services.

To contact the PDA:

Painting and Decorating Association
32 Coton Road
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV11 5TW
Tel: 024 7635 3776
Website: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

The Scottish Decorators' Federation is a trade body for Scottish decorating businesses. It provides a code of conduct for members to conform to, along with details of the Construction Licensing Scheme which aims to ward off so-called cowboy trades people. There are also benefits related to legal advice, debt collection and insurance.

To contact the SDF:

Castlecraig Business Park
Players Road
Stirling
FK7 7SH
Tel: 01786 448838
Website: www.scottishdecorators.co.uk

Construction Skills provides training and professional development services across all aspects of construction. Construction Skills can provide information on the ConstructionSkills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, which is now a requirement of all workers within the construction sector, including painters and decorators. For more information on the CSCS card visit: www.cscs.uk.com.

To contact Construction Skills visit: www.cskills.org

Contact details for these, as well as many other trade associations can be found here.

Show me the money

Starting a business isn't easy, you don't need us to tell you that. That's why it's crucial to get hold of straight forward, impartial advice when looking for finance. Fortunately there are organisations out there offering independent advice on funding options such as loans and grants. For more information that's always up to date, click on the link that's right for where you are:

Managing tax and payroll

Giving somebody work under a contract of employment, whether written or verbal, means that you are acting as an employer. In some cases, however, the person working for you may be a self-employed contractor which affects the level of your responsibilities. You can find out how to tell the difference here.

If you operate your business as a sole trader or partnership, you and your partners will be registered as self-employed and only become employers when you take on your first member of staff. However, if you set your business up as a company, the company becomes an employer when it begins trading, because directors are employees of the company.

It is vital that you register as a new employer as soon as you know that you will be employing someone and you can do this by calling the HMRC helpline on 08457 143 143.

You will need to provide details about your business such as the names and addresses of any partners or company directors, the nature of the business and its contact details. HM Revenue and Customs will also need to know who your employees are, when they were employed, and details relating to how you will operate your payroll system.

More information on setting up your own business can be found on the ICI Paints website in the 'Starting a business- the essentials'.

PAYE forms

There are a number of standard forms and procedures which employers need in order to operate an effective system. These forms should be used to keep a record of all that has been paid to an employee including wages, payments and benefits.

There are three main forms which you need to give your employees to show how much income tax and NIC they have paid. These are:

  • Wage slips - created internally to show how pay has been calculated.
  • P45 - new employees who have had a previous job should give this to you when they start work. When they leave you give them a completed P45
  • P60 - this shows the year's tax deductions and is given to employees at the end of the tax year.

If you need any help with PAYE, call the Inland Revenue New Employers Helpline on 08467 143 143 or contact your local Business Link Support Team.

Hints and tips

Here are a few top tips to help you navigate your way through the employment maze:

  • Make sure that you maintain accurate and up-to-date pay records and keep them for six years
  • Ensure that any deductions you make from your employee's pay are legally required (PAYE & NI), are part of the employee's contract, or have been agreed in writing
  • Employees have the right to take you to an employment tribunal if you do not provide them with an itemised pay slip
  • If employees wish to understand more about their entitlements to benefits, allowances and tax credits, the Department for Work and Pensions website has helpful information

Getting to grips with PAYE can be tricky - if you have any questions, call the HM Revenue and Customs New Employer Helpline on 08457 143 143 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers.

Health and safety

Health and Safety is not just for big businesses with scores of employees, it is equally important for a business of only one or two people. By law you have to look after the health and safety of your employees, yourself, and anyone associated with your business. This can include visitors to the site or simply people passing by. To find out more information on health and safety, and what is required of you, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

Being a painter or decorator can bring you into contact with substances that pose a potential hazard if not handled in the right way. It is crucial that risks are assessed not only for yourself, but all employees to avoid injury and potential legal action. Below you'll find a brief outline of how to carry out a risk assesment, for further information visit the HSE's website: www.hse.gov.uk/coshh

Assessing the risks

In order to minimise and control the exposure to hazardous substances you should first carry out a risk assessment. This can be done either by you or by a qualified individual or company and should ideally include employees or their safety representative. Employees must also be made aware of the results of the assessment.
When carrying out an assessment you should think about the following:

  • Substances that are supplied to you
  • Substances produced by your work such as fumes, vapours and dusts
  • End products and waste management

When assessing the risks you need to think about what health problems these substances can cause. To do this, ask yourself the following:

  • How much of the hazardous substance is in use or produced by the work activity and how can people be exposed to it?
  • Who could be exposed to a hazardous substance and how often? (Remember this should include everyone that could be exposed, not just employees.)
  • Can the substance be swallowed or absorbed through the skin?

You can get help in identifying hazardous substances through trade associations, your local Business Link or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Join the TradeXpress club

Sign up today and receive regular TradeXpress emails.

Register