How to become a dry liner

Why should you become a dry liner?

Although we might not think about it often, employing someone to construct interior ceilings and walls is essential in construction. Without them, it would be far more difficult to bring a building project to completion.

This is where dry liners come in. A vital part of the construction trade, dry liners see to it that all walls and ceilings are built properly. As a result, their skills are always required, making work easy to come by.

However, if you’re unfamiliar with what dry liners do, you might be unsure if this work is suited for you. Keep reading to learn more about the dry liner job description and what exactly dry lining involves.

What is a dry liner?

Also known as drywallers, a dry liner is a skilled tradesperson who is responsible for the construction of building interiors.

Typically, this involves building drywalls and ceilings in domestic and commercial properties, though their work can extend to floors too.

Of course, there’s more to dry lining work than basic construction. Below are just some of the main responsibilities you’ll have in this type of job:

• Reading plans and drawings to understand a project’s goals
• Measuring and cutting plasterboard
• Fixing plasterboard or wood studding to walls
• Creating suspended ceilings or raised flooring
• Concealing electrics and piping
• Soundproofing a space
• Sealing joints using filers and adhesives
• Sanding down surfaces
• Applying a final finish

As you can see, being a dry liner involves far more than just building walls. And more experience in doing all of this will put you in a better position to expand your skill set.

What does a typical dry liner’s day look like?

Much like any interior trade, the typical day of a dry liner will vary from project to project. If you’re only just starting a contract, you’ll likely be in the planning stage. But you might also begin physically working by the afternoon.

Naturally, what work you do on a given day will also vary depending on project needs. A full project could require a wall to be built from scratch. While a smaller one might need simple touch-ups to be completed.

In other words, dry lining work is very varied.

What skills does a dry liner need?

With what’s required of a dry liner, it’s likely no surprise that those in this role need a varied skillset. We’ve outlined all the core skills a dry liner should have below in order to be successful:

• Knowledge of the building and construction industry
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Computer skills
• Mathematical skills
• Organisation

On top of this, you should also familiarise yourself with the different tools and materials you’ll be working with. Otherwise, you’ll find it much harder to do your job properly.

How do you train to become a dry liner?

In order to become a dry liner, hands-on experience is essential. Dry lining is a physically tricky task that requires you to be trained in numerous areas. Therefore. We recommend pursuing training as an apprentice or through college.

Which sort of training you choose is naturally up to you. A college course will teach you a wide range of skills related to dry lining.

However, an apprenticeship lets you learn and earn at the same time. So we suggest opting for whichever best fits your needs.

What qualifications do I need as a dry liner?

As with all trades, there are several dry-lining qualifications out there that you can pursue. We suggest looking at any of the following courses:

• A Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
• A Level 2 Diploma in Dry Lining
• A Level 2 NVQ in Interior Systems

Any one of these is an excellent place to start your career and will set you on solid footing.

Do you need qualifications to be a dry liner?

While there is no legal requirement for you to have dry lining qualifications, it is highly recommended. Customers and employers alike want to know that the tradespeople they employ have the necessary skills.

If you don’t have any qualifications, you’re going to find it very difficult to get consistent dry-lining work.

How to get more experience as a dry liner

Once you’ve become a qualified dry liner, the best way to get more experience is through further courses and work. Advanced courses in particular are an ideal way to widen your skillset and take on more complex work.

Alongside this, it’s also worth considering practising your dry lining skills in your spare time. This will let you experiment with new techniques without the risk of making mistakes on a project.

Where should you apply for dry liner jobs?

To get work as a dry liner, the best place to apply is either online or in a local directory. Be sure to see what positions are open in local construction companies and make use of job-hunting sites.

Get more dry liner work with Checkatrade

With that last point out of the way, you should have all the information necessary to become a dry liner. But did you know you can also expand your dry-lining opportunities with Checkatrade?

As the leading online trade directory in the UK, Checkatrade is the ideal place to find additional work.

• As a member you can get discounts on training and supplies
• As well as access to free marketing materials

Get in touch to find out more about our sign-up process. You can also visit our trade blog to read more informative articles like this one. We have pieces on how to become a painter-decorator and how to become a building surveyor.

Dry liner training FAQs

How long does it take to become a dryliner?

How long it can take to become a dry liner will vary depending on the training you choose. Some college courses can take as little as a few months, while some apprenticeships can last up to 2 years.

How much do dryliners earn?

As a sought-after trade, those who specialise in dry liners can often earn an average salary of £30,000. However, this can increase rapidly if you decide to start your own dry-lining business.

Do I need a CSCS card?

Yes, as a dry liner, you will need a CSCS card if you hope to maximise your work potential. CSCS cards are a legal requirement to work on construction sites, so you should sort this out ASAP after training.