Choosing a Faux Finisher

You've decided to have faux finishing done in your home, but how do you choose a faux finish artisan?

Start With The Finish
The best place to start looking for a faux finisher is not with the artisan but with the finish. Tour homes and designer showrooms are great places to see faux finishes on walls. Once you find a finish you like, find out who created the finish and get his or her name and number.

Recommendations
In the alternative, a local designer or decorator will probably have names of faux finishers that they can recommend. Your local paint store may also be a good source.

Training
Keep in mind that faux finishing is a profession and an art. The faux finish artisan should have a Certificate of Completion from a faux finish school, proving that he or she has had education in the profession. In lieu of formal education, the artisan should provide the name of the decorative artisan under whom he or she served an apprenticeship.

Professional Memberships
Additionally, the professional artisan should belong to a professional trade organization, such as the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA), Interior Decorators and Designers Association (IDDA) or Master Painter and Decorator's Association (MPDA). Like any professional, faux finishers who value continuing education and association with others in their trade are more likely to continue growing and developing their craft.

Certifications
If the artisan calls him or herself a "Certified Faux Finish Artisan," ask about the certification process. A Certificate of Completion from a trade school is not the same as trade certification. Trade certification involves study and testing. There are two kinds of certification in the painting industry: business (accounting, estimating) and technical (artistry). Presently, to our knowledge, there is no technical certification for faux finish in the United States. Get the real story here.

Estimating Practices
Estimating a faux finish job is extremely difficult without seeing the room. There are many variables that make the artisan's job easier or more difficult. For instance, high ceilings require climbing a ladder or installing scaffolding and will increase the price. The artisan needs to see the project in order to provide an accurate price. Beware the faux finisher who rattles off a price over the telephone. Even if you provide the dimensions of the room, the artisan needs to see the job site. A price quoted on a job unseen will invariably increase as the job progresses because of unknown variables.

Professionalism
When the artisan arrives at your home, he or she should maintain a professional demeanor. The artisan should have a full portfolio of samples for you to peruse and choose from. The samples should look professional. If the artisan's samples look sloppy, you can bet that his or her work will be sloppy as well.

Excellent Communication
Make sure that you feel completely comfortable with the artisan. Faux finishing is subjective and a matter of taste. Communication between you and the artisan must be open and comfortable. The artisan should listen to your ideas and give you direction without being pushy. The faux finisher will probably be in your home for several days, so it is important that you are comfortable with your relationship.

Bids
After meeting with the artisan and choosing your faux finish, the next step is to get an estimate from the artisan. The faux finisher should return within a few days with a professional bid package. The bid portfolio should contain the estimate, a scope of work describing exactly what the bid includes and does not include, information about the artisan and his or her company, pictures of his or her work, names and phone numbers of references and a contract.

Insurance
The faux finisher should provide you with a copy of his or her general liability insurance. General liability covers any accidents, breakage or damage while the artisan is working in your home. Before you hire anyone to work in your home, make sure that they have at least $500,000.00 worth of insurance coverage. Repairing damage caused by an accident or negligence is expensive. You can bet that the artisan working with no liability insurance will disappear, leaving you to deal with the repairs.

When you have made the decision to hire the faux finisher and signed the contract, you should expect the artisan to return within a reasonable amount of time with a sample for you to approve. Once the faux finisher has created a sample that you like, the work can commence.