Why use a Painting & Decorating Association member?
Of course you don't have to - you may already be very happy with your existing painter and decorator. But what happens when he or she retires, moves away or simply stops working? Where do you look then? Personal recommendations are always a good idea. Indeed a number of PDA members never have to advertise, as all their work is through recommendation by satisfied clients.
Perhaps you would look in Yellow Pages and local newspapers - but what would make you choose a decorator just from their advertisement? Does the advert mention how long he or she has been in the business, offer some sort of guarantee, or state a speciality of some kind?
Maybe all of the above - but have those statements been verified? The Painting and Decoration Association has a corporate advertisement in the majority of Yellow Pages; these adverts are checked to ensure that only current members are allowed to advertise. Indeed anyone advertising in Yellow Pages and carrying the PDA logo will have been checked to make sure they are eligible to use it.
The Painting and Decoration Association also have a website you can visit... www.paintingdecorationassociation.co.uk
On there you'll find information about the association together with a directory of members (here you can find a listing for Stewkley Decorating). However, only those members who wish to advertise will be listed.
If you want to double check that someone is a member then just call National Office on 024 7635 3776. The PDA will be happy to put your mind at rest. Anyone discovered by the PDA using the logo illegally is reported to the local Trading Standards officer.
Perhaps you would look in Yellow Pages and local newspapers - but what would make you choose a decorator just from their advertisement? Does the advert mention how long he or she has been in the business, offer some sort of guarantee, or state a speciality of some kind?
Maybe all of the above - but have those statements been verified? The Painting and Decoration Association has a corporate advertisement in the majority of Yellow Pages; these adverts are checked to ensure that only current members are allowed to advertise. Indeed anyone advertising in Yellow Pages and carrying the PDA logo will have been checked to make sure they are eligible to use it.
The Painting and Decoration Association also have a website you can visit... www.paintingdecorationassociation.co.uk
On there you'll find information about the association together with a directory of members (here you can find a listing for Stewkley Decorating). However, only those members who wish to advertise will be listed.
If you want to double check that someone is a member then just call National Office on 024 7635 3776. The PDA will be happy to put your mind at rest. Anyone discovered by the PDA using the logo illegally is reported to the local Trading Standards officer.
Proper planning prevents disappointment, dispute, distress
Whatever it is you decide to have decorated, be as clear as you can about what it is you want. A full and frank discussion before the work commences will ensure there are no misunderstandings.
Of course the decorator you choose should be more than happy to advise you on colour schemes and materials available, but they will need some idea of the finished effect you have in mind. Photographs taken from magazines can sometimes help get your ideas across.
Get it in writing - agree what it is you want, when it is going to be done and what it will cost. Accept that sometimes, for whatever reason, things may occur to alter the original agreement. Any amendments should be discussed and mutually agreed, and if necessary, written down.
Once the project is under way, if any aspect of the work is causing you concern, tell the decorator as soon as possible - don't leave it until the invoice is presented to you on completion of the job.
Agree with your decorator whether you or they will supply the materials - if you are happy to supply them make sure they are available on site in time for the decorator's arrival, and that there is sufficient quantity.
Of course the decorator you choose should be more than happy to advise you on colour schemes and materials available, but they will need some idea of the finished effect you have in mind. Photographs taken from magazines can sometimes help get your ideas across.
Get it in writing - agree what it is you want, when it is going to be done and what it will cost. Accept that sometimes, for whatever reason, things may occur to alter the original agreement. Any amendments should be discussed and mutually agreed, and if necessary, written down.
Once the project is under way, if any aspect of the work is causing you concern, tell the decorator as soon as possible - don't leave it until the invoice is presented to you on completion of the job.
Agree with your decorator whether you or they will supply the materials - if you are happy to supply them make sure they are available on site in time for the decorator's arrival, and that there is sufficient quantity.
What does membership of the Painting & Decorating Association actually mean?
Be assured that membership of the Painting & Decorating Association is not automatic.
The PDA require all prospective members to submit to a vetting procedure, whether they are a sole trader or a multi-national company. The PDA also believe that once a company or individual has been accepted into membership they should, periodically, submit to random revetting. This ensures that the high standards the PDA expect are being maintained.
All members have to provide evidence of their qualifications or produce documentation proving they have been a painter and decorator for not less than five years.
Prospective members are requested to give names and addresses of three recent clients whom the PDA contact for a reference. The PDA also insist on members carrying adequate public liability insurance cover and ask to see proof of this.
The PDA accept the fact that, whilst the vast majority of jobs will go smoothly, there will be exceptions. The PDA therefore have a formal complaints procedure. All complaints are investigated and the PDA try their utmost to resolve the situation through mediation.
The PDA require all prospective members to submit to a vetting procedure, whether they are a sole trader or a multi-national company. The PDA also believe that once a company or individual has been accepted into membership they should, periodically, submit to random revetting. This ensures that the high standards the PDA expect are being maintained.
All members have to provide evidence of their qualifications or produce documentation proving they have been a painter and decorator for not less than five years.
Prospective members are requested to give names and addresses of three recent clients whom the PDA contact for a reference. The PDA also insist on members carrying adequate public liability insurance cover and ask to see proof of this.
The PDA accept the fact that, whilst the vast majority of jobs will go smoothly, there will be exceptions. The PDA therefore have a formal complaints procedure. All complaints are investigated and the PDA try their utmost to resolve the situation through mediation.
Decorating dilemmas show true value of professionals (MKWeb.co.uk - May 2014)
COLOUR clangers and dodgy decorators head a top-10 list of issues addressed by a leading trade body last year.
Members of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) were called in to remedy hundreds of decorating dilemmas in homes all over the country. Problems created by sub-standard contractors were at the heart of most of them.
Poorly wallpapered rooms featuring overlapping seams or open joints, a general lack of preparation and weak standards of finish were also prominent on the list of decorating issues reported to the PDA. The lack of any proper quotation prior to the start of any work was another common factor.
PDA Chief Executive, Neil Ogilvie, says the list serves to illustrate why householders in need of a painter or decorator should engage members of the PDA.
He said: “Our members were asked to fix a whole range of painting and decorating issues last year. From unqualified contractors mixing or applying the wrong finish to cutting corners to save time and money, we see the lot. These are difficult times for many people so it’s easy to see why householders can be tempted by what appears to be a cheaper deal. However, remedial work can prove much more costly in the long run, making it far more cost-effective to get the job done properly in the first place.”
Mr Ogilvie says sub-standard workmanship is a cause for concern, but that homeowners should look to members of the PDA for a quality finish. He added: “Contractors who are members of the PDA are fully-qualified experts in the trade who will do a professional painting or decorating job for a fair price. There are stringent processes in place that individuals and companies need to meet in order to join us and membership of the Association is not automatic.
Painters and decorators come into people’s homes and businesses and customers want to know that person or company is to be trusted. Membership of the PDA verifies that an individual or company meets a set criteria and ensures that professionalism comes as standard. This brings piece of mind for consumers that the painter they have selected is a genuine one. Ultimately, members are qualified, fully insured and able to produce work of quality. They are also conversant with the latest technology and work to a code of practice. This brings security and confidence to customers, and I would urge people to check the credentials of any traders before letting them into their homes – and make sure they are members of the PDA.”
Top 10 decorating dilemmas remedied by PDA members
1. Rooms painted in the wrong shade where a contractor mixed his own colour rather than one specified in a store.
2. Wrong finishes applied. Always specify any particular finish you require and make sure that’s what you get.
3. Poor coverage on ceilings and walls created by inadequate coats of paint.
4. Spillages and broken windows not covered by insurance. Make sure a contractor has the correct public liability insurance otherwise you will be picking up the bill.
5. Badly wallpapered rooms with overlapping seams and/or open joints.
6. Lack of preparation. Walls must be thoroughly prepared, and often lined, prior to hanging paper.
7. External wood-stained windows which have been painted over in a dark brown gloss rather than the correct wood stain.
8. Woodwork which has not been stripped correctly and then recoated, resulting in a very poor standard of finish.
9. Carpets in houses ruined due to lack of the correct protection. Always make sure the correct floor coverings are allocated prior to work.
10. No quotation specifying proposed work prior to commencement of the contract. If there is subsequent sub-standard work, there’s nothing in writing.
The PDA has a telephone number where members of the public can check that a painter is a bona fide member of the Association – 024 7635 3776.
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