How Technology Will Transform the Industry
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing every industry, and painting and decorating is no exception. From labour and automation to admin, quoting, and customer interactions, AI is set to revolutionise how decorators work, how businesses operate, and how customers make decisions.
But where exactly is AI taking us? Will painters be replaced by robots? Will quoting and consultations become fully automated? Let’s explore how AI is already changing the industry, what’s next, and where it could all end up.
1. AI & Automation in Labour: Will Painters Be Replaced?
One of the biggest questions is whether AI and robotics will replace manual painting jobs. While full automation isn’t here yet, significant advancements suggest that parts of the painting process could become automated in the near future.
Current AI & Automation in Painting:
✅ AI-Powered Spray Painting & Robotics
Large-scale spray painting is already being done by AI-controlled robotic arms, mainly in manufacturing and commercial spaces.
These robots analyse surfaces, adjust spray pressure, and ensure even coverage.
✅ Automated Wall Painting Machines
Machines like MYRO (a robotic wall painter) can paint large indoor spaces efficiently, reducing labour time and costs.
These AI-assisted robots can follow programmed paths, ensuring perfectly even coats without human fatigue.
What This Means for Painters & Decorators
🚀 AI won’t fully replace professional decorators, but it will likely change how work is done.✔️ Labour-intensive tasks (like base coating or large-scale wall painting) will become automated.✔️ Decorators will shift towards specialist, high-end, and intricate finishes that require human creativity and craftsmanship.✔️ AI will allow faster project completion, freeing up decorators for more personalised, bespoke work.
💡 Future Prediction: Expect to see AI-assisted painting robots in large commercial projects, but for residential and high-end decorative work, human skill will always be valued.
2. AI in Quoting & Estimations: Faster, Smarter, More Accurate
Quoting has traditionally been a time-consuming process, requiring site visits, material calculations, and manual price estimates. AI is already revolutionising this by offering instant, data-driven quotes.
How AI Will Change Quoting & Estimations:
✅ AI-Powered Estimation Software
Tools like PaintScout and AI-powered apps can calculate paint quantity, labour costs, and time estimates based on room dimensions, materials, and complexity.
These systems will generate accurate, competitive quotes instantly, reducing the time spent on admin.
✅ Smart Image Recognition for Costing
AI can now analyse photos of a room and automatically detect surface areas, imperfections, and prep work needed.
This means decorators could generate precise quotes from a single smartphone picture—no need for multiple site visits.
✅ Automated Price Adjustments
AI will integrate real-time material costs, ensuring accurate pricing based on market fluctuations.
Labour costs will be benchmarked against industry standards, helping decorators remain competitive.
💡 Future Prediction:Within 5 years, expect AI quoting to be the norm, making the process faster, more accurate, and highly competitive.
3. AI in Admin & Customer Service: The Rise of Smart Assistants
One of the biggest pain points in running a decorating business is admin work—from scheduling jobs to managing invoices and customer inquiries. AI is already making this easier.
How AI is Streamlining Admin:
✅ AI Chatbots & Virtual Assistants
AI-powered chatbots can now handle customer inquiries, book appointments, and even suggest paint colours and finishes based on AI-driven styling tools.
This means customers can get instant responses without waiting for a callback.
✅ Automated Scheduling & Job Management
AI-powered calendars can automatically schedule jobs, factoring in travel time, availability, and workload balancing.
Expect AI to integrate with tools like Google Calendar, Xero, and project management apps, keeping businesses organised and efficient.
✅ AI-Generated Invoices & Payment Reminders
AI will auto-generate invoices after job completion and send automated payment reminders to clients.
This will drastically reduce late payments and free up time spent on admin tasks.
💡 Future Prediction:AI-driven business management will soon become essential—decorators who embrace this tech will save hours of time each week while improving customer experience.
4. AI in Colour Selection & Interior Design: A New Era of Personalisation
Choosing the right paint colour is one of the hardest decisions for customers—but AI is making it easier with smart colour-matching tools and virtual simulations.
How AI is Transforming Colour Selection:
✅ AI-Powered Colour Matching Apps
Customers can upload a photo, and AI will analyse lighting conditions, furnishings, and room size to suggest the perfect paint colours.
Paint brands (including Little Greene) are already integrating AI into their colour consultation services.
✅ Virtual Reality & AI-Powered Visualisation
AI-powered VR apps allow customers to see how a room will look with different paint colours before making a decision.
This reduces hesitation and mistakes, making it easier for decorators to finalise projects.
✅ AI Mood Boards & Styling Tools
AI can suggest coordinating paint colours, furniture, and textures based on design trends and customer preferences.
💡 Future Prediction:Expect AI-powered colour selection to become a standard service for decorators, making customer decision-making easier and faster.
5. Where Will AI Take the Painting & Decorating Industry?
AI is not here to replace decorators—but it is here to make the industry smarter, faster, and more efficient.
🔮 Predictions for the Next 10 Years:✔️ AI-powered quoting will be instant and hyper-accurate—reducing admin work significantly.✔️ Smart painting robots will handle base coats and large-scale projects, but decorators will still be needed for detailed, high-end finishes.✔️ AI colour consultants will replace in-person consultations, making it easier for customers to visualise their space.✔️ Business owners will rely on AI-driven admin tools, reducing paperwork and freeing up time to focus on craftsmanship.
🚀 Bottom Line:The future of painting and decorating isn’t about AI replacing jobs—it’s about AI making professionals more efficient, accurate, and profitable. Decorators who embrace AI will stay ahead, offering faster service, smarter quoting, and a seamless customer experience.
Final Thoughts: How Drew Decor is Embracing the Future
At Drew Decor, we’re always looking ahead. Whether it’s expertly mixing Little Greene paint in-store, offering personalised colour consultations, or staying ahead of industry trends, we believe in combining craftsmanship with innovation.
✅ If you’re a homeowner or designer looking for expert advice on premium paints and finishes, let’s chat.
🛍️ Visit Our Store & Shop Premium Paints!
🏡 Looking for expert decorating services or premium paints? Whether you need Little Greene paint, colour advice, or professional decorating, we’ve got you covered.
🔹 🏬 Visit Our Interior Store: Drew Decor Interior Store 918 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield
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🔹 📞 Speak to Our Decorating Team: 07825767514
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