Emily Rivers
Choosing a painter and decorator who belongs to a professional body or trade association has lots of benefits. There are several different associations that painters and decorators could belong to. However, many skilled painters and decorators choose not to belong to any of these. Always ask to see examples of a tradesperson’s recent work. It’s best to base your decision about which tradesperson to use on a range of factors. Whether they belong to a trade association is just one of these.
What is a trade association?
A trade association is an organisation which represents companies and workers in a specific industry. They provide a wide range of services for tradespeople. Trade associations also drive standards. They offer training and advice to both tradespeople and consumers.
Painting and decorating trade associations
There are several different trade associations which cover the painting and decorating industry. Each offer different benefits to tradespeople and consumers. Read on to find out more about the different trade associations.
Painting and Decorating Association (PDA)
The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) are the biggest trade association that only operate in the painting and decorating industry. Using a painter and decorator who’s a member of the PDA gives you peace of mind that they’re a skilled tradesperson. The PDA check their members’ qualifications and verify that they hold the right level of insurance. The Association also ask their members for references from people who have previously had work done by them. They verify that this work was completed to a high standard.
If any work you have done by a PDA member does not meet the expected high standards, the Association also have their own complaints procedure. They will investigate any complaints about poor workmanship or other issues. This offers you another guarantee of quality.
The London Association of Master Decorators (LAMD)
The LAMD operate within London. They are a subsidiary organisation of the Painting and Decorating Association. This means that they operate the same vetting and complaints procedures. If you’re in London, the LAMD provide another way to guarantee that painters and decorators will carry out top quality work.
The Guild of Master Craftsmen (GMC)
The Guild of Master Craftsmen is another trade association operating in the UK. They operate across a wide range of sectors, including painting and decorating. The GMC assess all of their members to ensure that their work is of the highest standard. They also verify that their members hold the correct qualifications and insurance. The Guild of Master Craftsmen is a very well respected hallmark of quality.
The Dulux Select Decorators scheme
The Dulux Select Decorators scheme is another organisation which offers a guarantee of the work of painters and decorators. They partner with City and Guilds to offer their own training, as well as checking the qualifications of their members.
It can be a stressful experience trying to find a tradesperson you know you can trust. Using painters and decorators registered with these associations gives you a guarantee of the quality of their work. However, many great tradespeople are not members of these schemes. Always check their reviews and ask to see examples of previous work.
