3 Certifications to Look for When Hiring a Qualified Painting Contractor

It can be a daunting task trying to find a contractor who is an expert in their field, up-to-date on the latest technologies, maintains high business and safety standards, and is easy to work with.

Fortunately, certifications are a great way to spot the contractors you should consider and those you should skip over. A certification means a third party organization has vouched for the work the company does and confirms that they work to the standards set by industry authorities.

In our view, the more certifications, the better! Here are a few to look for when searching for a qualified painting contractor:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Commercial painters should have a vast knowledge of proper training and safety procedures in the field, be proactive in identifying potential issues on any job, big or small, and be able to produce safety certifications related to painting such as lead abatement and scaffolding rigging. OSHA sets the standards for safe and healthy working environments. You will want to ensure any contractor you work with is compliant with all applicable OSHA requirements.

Here at Alpine, we evaluate safety standards on an ongoing basis, essentially every day on every job to protect our valued employees and keep our clients and their projects safe. We believe this is why we consistently receive awards for excellence in safety.

Painting Contractors Association (PCA)

The Painting Contractors Association sets an industry standard accrediting companies that are run efficiently and continue to push for excellence, both through leadership and quality of work. Companies accredited by PCA complete rigorous coursework on topics that include environmental concerns, safety issues and successful business practices. They also require businesses to stay knowledgeable and up-to-date on the industry itself.

Choosing a PCA-accredited painting contractor means your project will not only be managed well, you will be provided with the most up-to-date information and options available on the market today. We, at Alpine, are proud to have held this accreditation since 2007 and be one of a select group of PCA accredited painting contractors in the United States.

Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)

AMPP (formerly two separate entities, SSPC and NACE) is a global community of corrosion and protective coatings professionals dedicated to advancing technical and practical knowledge in the space.

Being a certified member of AMPP means the company you’re working with is continually educating employees on the cutting edge of coating technology and infrastructure so they can recommend the appropriate coating system, as well as identify potential problem areas before they arise. AMPP accredited organizations are also up-to-date on the latest information in surface preparation, environmental regulations and health and safety.

Maintaining the highest quality and safety standards is a top priority at Alpine. It’s also why we have been a proudly certified member since 2012 and are one of two companies in the country to maintain all five of the following QP certifications: QP1, QP2, QP8, QP9 and QS1.

In addition to the certifications above, a qualified painting contractor should always have the appropriate paperwork, liability insurance and workman’s compensation. For more information on choosing a qualified painting contract, take a look at Alpine Painting’s Checklist and check out this article on how to choose a contractor.