The Painting and Decorating Association

The following information has been taken directly from the Painting and Decorating website and was correct at time of print (April 2005)

When contemplating the redecoration of his or her property, the wise owner needs to look no further than the symbol of the Painting & Decorating Association. In a trade where the unwary can pay dearly for their ignorance, the PDA offers both security and confidence in a job professionally done.

A registered trade and employers` Association it has a membership of some 2,400 firms, ranging from the largest national painting contractors to small family businesses.

If a job’s worth doing, its worth doing well. And when it comes to Painting and Decorating, the professionals have the edge every time. So when you are looking around for a reputable decorator to transform your home or business premises with flawless brushwork and skilful paper hanging, make sure you choose wisely.

We all know the best jobs are always done by professional specialists who have had a full training - and the painting and decorating trade is no exception.

Cheapest is not always best in the long run, as many people have found to their cost. It pays to shop around to find a reputable firm who will give you an agreed price for the work to be done.

On many occasions, householders have been misled by very cheap job estimates and had to pay for very sub-standard work. People on their own and pensioners are particularly vulnerable to these operators. Ensure that the quotation details the work to be done, and if any extras come to light, then obtain a price for those too. Leaving things to chance means possible trouble ahead.

Always remember - NEVER give a decorator money before he does a job. No bona fide decorator asks for money for materials or payment in advance. He may ask for an interim payment for work done, if a job is to last a long time, but make sure interim payments are agreed in advance, and set down in writing. Don’t allow the decorator to talk you into hanging new wallpaper on top of old, or not using undercoat. This is not professional.

There are other serious considerations such as insurance. If a decorator accidentally sets fire to your house when he’s burning off paint, or drops a tin of gloss on your carpet - will you be able to make a claim? Not if he’s inadequately insured or not insured at all.

Firms in membership of the Painting & Decorating Association subscribe to the terms of its 'Code of Practice' which requires them to maintain adequate insurance cover in respect of both employer’s and public liability risks. The Code of Practice also guarantees the quality of work for a minimum period.

Customers should always ask:

1.   Is the firm adequately insured?

2.   Is the quality of the materials guaranteed?

3.   Will the work be done by a competent tradesman and properly supervised apprentices drawing fair wages?

4.   Can I be sure the "Quote" is fair to all parties in order to ensure a good lasting job?

5.   Will the decorator give a guarantee on his work?

If the answers to all these questions are 'yes' then the Association's Code of Practice is being followed.

Under the terms of the Code, the quality and standard of all work undertaken by member firms is guaranteed.

In the rare case of a dispute affecting a member's work, the Association can offer independent arbitration, if all other attempts at conciliation have failed.

Remember, it's easy to get taken for a ride by the Cowboys - it pays to choose a qualified professional.

If you wish to know anymore, why not visit the PDA website :

www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

(c) 2007 Rob Gardner Professional Decorator. E&EO