ToolsDown – A quick Q&A with PDA Member... Douglas Gillie

How long have you been a painter and decorator? I have been in business for 27 years, and in the decorating trade for 36 years.

How long have you been a Member of the PDA? I have been a Member for over 20 years.

How has membership of the PDA benefitted you? The PDA are there for advice whenever needed, plus it’s a more professional look being a Member of a respected trade body.

How do you market your business? Mainly through our website, however the vast majority of our work is repeat work or recommendations from the client base we have built over the years.

Are you on social media? We use various social media platforms mainly as galleries for our current ongoing and past projects.

Do you have any tips on maintaining a successful business? Consistently carrying out every job big or small with the same level of care and attention, just as you would like to have done in your own home. Keeping a good line of communication with clients from start to finish of projects. Leaving everything clean and tidy is equally as important as carrying out a job to a high standard.

Are you currently training any apprentices? We aren’t currently training any apprentices however we plan to in the future.

What would you say to encourage other to join the trade? It’s a very satisfying job being able stand back at the end of a project and see the transformation you’ve made. Decorating is arguably the most important trade as it’s the first thing your eyes are drawn to on any property. With a bit of ambition you can go from being an apprentice to making a successful living from the trade.

What are the most annoying problems you come across? Following and being followed by untidy tradesmen, work being damaged and marked by other trades after its finshed (carpet fitters dragging carpets along walls). Prospective clients contacting you for a quote, but if the job can’t be started next week they can get someone else!

What do you most like about your job? No two jobs are the same, every job has different obstacles to overcome which keep it interesting and keep you learning all the time. The satisfaction you get from seeing the transformation of projects from start to finish.

What products would you recommend to other decorators? Although not new products, Zinsser primers are game changing. Both Zinsser and Tikkurila offer a good range of water based products, Sandtex Trade the old reliable.

Douglas Gillie is a PDA Member based in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, call on 01289 303524 or visit www.douglasgilliedecor.co.uk