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Before you decide to hire the least expensive painter you can find, or "do it yourself",
here are important points to consider that suggest the lowest price may not be the best
value.

Safety
Painting can be hazardous work, whether it’s working on a ladder or dealing with
solvents and dust. Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have to worry
about these problems.

Health
If your home or business was built before 1978, it may have been painted with lead-
based paint, which can cause serious health effects when it is scraped or sanded in
preparation for repainting. Professional contractors will take appropriate steps to
protect you. Painting contractors are required to furnish EPA-produced pamphlets to
their residential customers before they begin a job that involves disturbing lead-based
paint in or on a residence. Professional painting contractors will understand and be
willing to follow the recommendations on this pamphlet.

Preparation & Painting
Getting the surface properly prepared makes all the difference. Professional contractors
know the value of preparation and will do it right.

Knowing Paints and How to Apply Them
The choices today are more complicated than just oil or latex, and professional
contractors will know what works, how to use it, and will have the right tools for the
job. Professional contractors utilize and partner with professional paint, coatings, and
wallcovering suppliers.

Cleanup and Disposal
Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have to worry about dealing with paint
residues and other leftovers. Professionals will know how to handle hazardous wastes
that may be part of the job.

How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Project
Once you have decided to contract with someone to do a particular painting and
decorating project, how do you go about selecting the right company? Do you make
your selection on price, size of company, years in business, or other criteria?
To locate the names of reputable contractors, there are many sources of information.
Some of these sources are PDCA's Find a Pro search engine, friends, relatives,
architects and design professionals, and local "quality- oriented" paint supply stores.
However, these sources can only give you limited general information. In order to make
an educated decision, you need some specific information about any person or firm you
are considering hiring.

Always verify the contractor is licensed and insured
Quality contracting firms will be only too happy to provide you with copies of their
certificates of
insurance. They should provide bonding information (if the job is large enough to
require such) and documentation of safety training and compliance programs. Not all
states and municipalities require licensing however business registration with your state
and municipality is generally a minimum requirement.

Written Contracts are a Must
Reputable contractors will encourage the use of a written contract. This contract should
clearly explain the scope of the work to be performed. It should also cover such items
as surfaces to be painted, methods and extent of surface preparation, time schedules for
the project, and payment procedures. Knowing the total scope of the work enables you
to carefully evaluate the different bids you may receive with the proper information and
keep them on a level playing field. The contract serves to protect both you and the
contractor.

Invest Time in Verifying References
Obtain a list of references from the prospective contractor. This list should include the
contact person, address, and telephone number of the previous client. Follow up on this
list with a phone call. Remember, the contractor will not give you a bad reference.
Therefore, ask references if they know of any other work this contractor has
performed. Be sure to ask whether the contractor and employees treated you
professionally and with respect. The references you are interested in should be projects
similar in size and scope to yours. Also, some of the projects should be at least a few
years old. This will help you gauge the performance of the construction and materials
used. If possible, try to see the work that was done. Discuss any guarantee or
warranty programs the contractor may offer. Ask about the manufacturer's warranty on
the products to be used on your project. Remember you are looking for long-term
durability from the paint job. The use of high quality products is as important as the
selection and performance of the contractor. Verifying references will provide a return
on your project investment.

Is Your Contractor a PDCA Member?
Determine if your contractor is a member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of
America. It has been in existence since 1884 and has over 3000 members all over the
country and parts of Canada. The focus of the association is the education of its
members and the promotion of professionalism within the industry. Look for the PDCA
logo on your contractor’s business card, bid sheets, or trucks. The Painting and
Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) offer many programs for the education of
painting contractors. This education includes training in the area of safety, business
management, technical areas of painting and surface preparation, and more. Quality
painting and decorating contractors are well educated on the different aspects of any
painting project and that knowledge helps eliminate surprises. Excellence in paint
application is as important with your selection of a contractor as are the skills to
properly manage their business and your project.

Not all Memberships Associations are alike
National Associations such as PDCA and the Better Business Bureau are Non-Profit
Associations who are interested in making the contracting world better, not just selling
their products, which many marketing and sales type groups are in business for. PDCA
is the only national association for painting and decorating contractors and one of the
oldest contractor associations in America. Industry standards are another benefit of
industry associations. PDCA produces nationally recognized Painting Industry Standards
that cover many different aspects of a painting project. Use of these standards in
proposals and contracts helps improve communication between the client and the
contractor, assists in ensuring quality, and becomes a basis for evaluating the job’s
requirements.

In Closing
Good contractors are very eager for your business. They are also very proud of their
craftsmanship. Once you have made your selection, step back and give the professional
room to execute the project. You have both done your homework, so give the
professional the opportunity to meet and exceed your expectations. Remember, as with
anything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you want high quality and reliable
service, be willing to pay the price that comes with it. Here's to your successful painting
projects.

The Painting and Decorating Contractors of America is a full-service national trade
association representing over 3,000 companies engaged in all sectors of the coatings
application industry. PDCA has developed this article to assist you in making an
informed decision when you next contemplate a painting or decorating project. To find a
PDCA contractor in your area, visit the PDCA Find-a-Pro Search Engine on www.pdca.
org, or call PDCA at 800-332-PDCA.

© Copyright 2005 PDCA All Rights Reserved. Painting & Decorating Contractors of
America