When it comes to your home, obviously you want the very best. You want the highest standards of workmanship backed by superior levels of customer care and service. And of course, you want a finished job that looks superb and makes your home an even brighter and better place to live. The Dulux Select Decorators Scheme was set up to give you the reassurance that this is exactly what you will enjoy.

All Dulux Select Decorators guarantee their work for a minimum of one year after the job is finished, and their workmanship is also underpinned by Dulux to give you total peace of mind. What's more, from May 2007 the Dulux Select Decorators Scheme has teamed up with TrustMark, the Government-backed scheme designed to protect homeowners and help drive up standards in the industry.

Many of our Dulux Select Decorators members have joined together to offer even greater protection under the TrustMark Scheme and these members have all agreed to offer a two-year guarantee, which once again is underpinned by Dulux.

When you decide to use a Dulux Select Decorator he or she is obliged to give you a brochure called 'The Guarantee Your Home Deserves' before any work is carried out. This brochure not only gives you the essential information on the guarantee and how it works, but also outlines the complaints procedure, in the unlikely event of a complaint arising.

To view the full Membership Rules to which members have to work to, you can visit the Dulux Select Decorator website at www.duluxdecorator.co.uk

You can also find more information on TrustMark at www.trustmark.org.uk.

Members of Dulux Select Decorators are experienced professionals whose abilities and skills are of the highest standard - right from the initial preparations through to the final coat of paint. You can also be sure that their work will comply with any relevant regulations, such as those set by the Health and Safety Executive.

Dulux-approved decorators will be courteous and honest at all times and will give you the best advice possible on any aspect of painting and decorating. All members of Dulux Select Decorators also carry adequate insurance cover, including public liability.

Why use a Painting & Decorating Association member? Of course you don't have to - you may already be very happy with your existing painter and decorator. But what happens when he or she retires, moves away or simply stops working? Where do you look then? Personal recommendations are always a good idea, indeed a number of our members never have to advertise, as all their work is through recommendation by satisfied clients. Perhaps you would look in Yellow Pages and local newspapers - but what would make you choose a decorator just from their advertisement? Does the advert mention how long he or she has been in business, offer some sort of guarantee, or state a speciality of some kind?

Maybe all of the above - but have those statements been verified? The Painting and Decorating Association has a corporate advertisement in the majority of Yellow Pages

Whatever it is you decide to have decorated, be as clear as you can about what it is you want. A full and frank discussion before the work commences will ensure there are no misunderstandings.

Of course the decorator you choose should be more than happy to advise you on colour schemes and materials available, but they will need some idea of the finished effect you have in mind. Photographs taken from magazines can sometimes help get your ideas across.

Get it in writing - agree what it is you want, when it is going to be done and what it will cost. Accept that sometimes, for whatever reason, things may occur to alter the original agreement. Any amendments should be discussed and mutually agreed, and if necessary, written down. Once the project is under way, if any aspect of the work

is causing you concern, tell the decorator as soon as possible - don't leave it until the invoice is presented to you on completion of the job. Agree with your decorator whether you or they will supply the materials - if you are to supply them make sure they are available on site in time for the decorator's arrival, and that there is sufficient quantity.