Welcome to the Painting and Decorating Association
The UK’s premier, non-profit, trade association for professional painters and decorators
Welcome to the Painting and Decorating Association
The UK’s premier, non-profit, trade association for professional painters and decorators
Who we are
Originally formed in 1894, the Painting and Decorating Association exists to help and support the UK’s professional painters and decorators – from sole traders to SMEs and multinational painting contractors. Our non-profit organisation represents over 13,000 painters and decorators across the country.
The PDA seeks to uphold, promote and enhance the status and professional standards of our members and the painting and decorating industry. To encourage this, we also host a series of Events and Awards throughout the year to celebrate excellence within the sector.
Sole Traders and Ltd Companies
As the industry’s only UK-wide trade body, the PDA is here to support you and your business. With benefits such as legal support, mediation & conciliation, networking opportunities, access to business resources, and exclusive trade discounts – we’ve got you covered!
Joining the PDA also shows potential customers that you’re committed to professionalism, quality work, and ethical practices. Our arbitration reconciliation service offers them added peace of mind.
Companies with a turnover in excess of £2m can access the range of support services the PDA offers, along with additional benefits, including representation at key organisations such as Build UK, CIJC and UNIEP.
Do you tender for work? The Procurement Act 2023 encourages businesses to show membership of an industry organisation. As the premier trade body for our sector, we’re on hand to offer you the support and information you need.
Association members benefit from a wealth of business support, including networking events, guidance, legal support and employment advice.
You’ll also have access to amazing trade deals and discounts, and a free profile page linked to a dedicated ‘Find a Decorator’ search facility.
The PDA logo is a trademark of professionalism. By displaying our logo, it demonstrates to clients that you are backed by a national trade body, which upholds nationally recognised high standards.
“Any requests for assistance from the PDA are always dealt with professionally and expediently. The PDA are a true asset to the painting industry.”
Mark Hetherington, Trident Maintenance Services Ltd
“As a long standing PDA Member, we were surprised at how responsive and helpful the Legal Helpline was. This is one of the PDA membership benefits which we have found valuable.”
Rupert Robertson, Red Box Maintenance Ltd
“By contacting Superscript I saved £££’s, which included a 20% discount – a PDA membership benefit. The saving will pay for my PDA membership twice over.”
Anthony Wade, Sprayform Painting & Decorating
“Even as a large, national painting and decorating contractor we know we can call on the PDA team for support at any time.”
Joanne Gualda, Bagnalls Painting & Decorating
“I want to express my gratitude to the Association for their invaluable support during a client dispute. Their support meant having friends by our side when we needed them the most.”
Samantha Costa, Costa Decorations
“The fleece jackets are lightweight, comfy to drive in and look very smart when you turn up for a job. I would highly recommend.”
Michael Graham Decorators Ltd, Warwickshire
“There is a wealth of information that so many business are paying for and it is all free with your PDA membership.”
Chaz Kohli, Sterling Decorators
“After recently editing our PDA profile page, we booked two external painting jobs. The income has paid our PDA subscription!”
Smith Bros Decorators Ltd, Leeds
“Just renewed my Public Liability insurance with Superscript via the PDA website and saved £539! So if you’re asking “Why be a PDA Member?”, that’s your answer right there.”
Grant Steel, Grant Steel Painters & Decorators
Brilliant set of resources, free downloads, association benefits, legal advice and general advice, marketing, etc. The directory is excellent at helping publicise our business too. Really cannot fault it and I don’t know why we didn’t join sooner!
Mark Ellery, Upcycle Interiors Ltd
We’re so glad to be members of the PDA. When we recently faced a particularly stressful and complex customer dispute, the support we received from the PDA made a huge difference. Neil was incredibly responsive, reassuring and genuinely invested in helping us find the right way forward. Even just knowing that we had the PDA behind us — along with access to Markel Law if the situation escalated — took a massive weight off our shoulders.
We appreciated the quick and practical advice which was tailored to our situation. It helped us to ultimately reach a positive outcome that could easily have gone the other way. It’s made us realise how important it is to have a trade association that actually steps up, when you need them. We can honestly say the support from the PDA has been invaluable, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend joining if you’re in the painting and decorating industry.
Matt & Ali Lawrence, Prime Finish Interiors
Latest News and Updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest industry news, regulations, and PDA events
New ‘Cue the Conversation’ initiative sees bespoke blue snooker cues connect people to combat loneliness Johnstone’s Paint has partnered with World Snooker Tour (WST) and national mental health charity Mind,
