This month, Tradesman Saver has teamed up with the Painting and Decorating Association to share the perks of their membership.
‘The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) is the UK’s largest trade body dedicated to the sector, and having represented its members for almost 130 years, the Association recognises the importance of finding new ways to offer members support and savings.’
PDA Chief Executive, Neil Ogilvie.
Representing hundreds of small traders, SMEs, larger businesses and national contractors, the PDA acts as the voice of the trade, representing workers at a national and international level, and lobbying on their behalf within the construction industry.
Our small team of staff are constantly working to support our members, and work with a number of partners, including manufacturers, industry bodies and related services, to promote the trade and secure a range of benefits and discounts for members.
While these benefits can save PDA members hundreds of pounds each year, our surveys show that above discounts, savings and services, the right to display the PDA logo, is the most valued benefit for members, setting them apart as a skilled, and trusted business that will provide a high standard or work at a reasonable price.
The logo also demonstrates that PDA members have committed to the Association’s Code of Conduct and have fulfilled the robust criteria for membership, which includes a set level of skill and experience, alongside the correct insurances and qualifications.
Our members show their professionalism and skill through the PDA logo and value the stamp of approval it gives to their businesses and the peace of mind it offers their customers.
Both PDA members and their customers can access the Association’s impartial mediation, conciliation and arbitration service, which provides a roadmap to resolution if a dispute arises.
If a PDA member has a non-payment issue with a client, or a client wants to complain about a member, they can contact our team and we will immediately start a mediation process with both parties to work towards a solution.
Sometimes a non-payment stand-off can be resolved after a couple of phone calls, while some issues result in a site visit, testing and the involvement of our legal team.
Either way, the service remains free to members and we will continue to work with them until the situation is resolved.
As well as joining the PDA, members get discounted membership of organisations such as CHAS and we also issue regular updates from organisations such as BUILD UK and UNIEP.
Our membership of industry bodies is an important tool for networking within the construction industry and for lobbying activities, giving us a voice in Government.
But these memberships also provide important information such as the BCIS Price Adjustment Formulae Indices, which members use to set their rates and receive for free via the newsletter.
It would cost £380+ VAT each year for an individual to access this outside the PDA.
The PDA represents and caters for all of our membership, and the subscriptions we sign up to give members a clear saving on costs.
Trained, experienced and insured painters and decorators can join the PDA from just £180+ VAT for the whole year.
To find out more, or apply to join, head over to the Painting and Decorating Association website, or contact Membership Services Manager, Denice Harper, via email: denice@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk or telephone: 02476 353776.
PDA MEMBER CASE STUDY
‘Every year when it comes to renewing my PDA membership, I have the same niggling thought: is this worth it?
But then I reflect on the benefits it’s given me over the years: networking opportunities that as a sole trader I wouldn’t get anywhere else, training courses, the credibility of being a member of the most respected trade association for decorators, and more recently the odd cheeky discount through the ‘Take Time’ lifestyle club, and I conclude that on balance it is most definitely worth it.
Well, this past year it certainly was even more so, as I received a totally unexpected benefit.
I received a call up for jury service. I was happy to do my civic duty, but the allowance for loss of earnings from the court system is laughable, it’s around £65 per day. I think that they trust that most responsible employers will make up the difference, but that’s not much help for us self-employed.
During the induction chat on day one, the jury officer at the court suggested checking insurance policies to see if they had any provision for jury service cover. I was amazed to see on the PDA website that the Markel Law legal expenses cover included in my membership had an allowance for jury service.
Denice Harper, Membership Services Manager at the PDA kindly steered me in the right direction to make a claim.
Initially, it wasn’t easy. The claims administrator insisted on me providing evidence from an accountant of my loss of earnings. I’m a sole trader and do my own accounts and tax returns as my financial affairs are straightforward, but they were unwilling to accommodate any proof that I suggested.
At this point I contacted PDA CEO Neil Ogilvie, and he got on the case straight away, with the assistance of the PDA’s insurance broker, Duncan Cramphorn from Premierline. From then on, the process went smoothly, and the claim was processed. Just 12 days after those two got involved I had a payment of £1,000 in my account, the maximum amount payable for a jury service claim.
I’m so grateful to the PDA. Running a business as a sole trader can be a solitary life sometimes, so just knowing that I have the weight of the association behind me should I need it is very reassuring.
In future, I won’t be hesitating before renewing my membership.’
Alison Smith, Smithdec
