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Join the SDF
Why Join the SDF?
We are Scotland’s trade association for the painting and decorating industry. We exist to be the voice for the decorator and to improve the image of the industry.
We do this by ensuring our members are reputable, qualified tradespeople who follow our Code of Conduct
We are an influential, lobbying body and provide our members with access to the latest knowledge, training and skills and by negotiating with UNITE the union on wages and conditions for the industry.
Our members undertake approximately 75% of the painting and decorating work in Scotland. We have a number of leading manufacturers who are within membership of the SDF.
Our apprenticeship registration arm, the Scottish Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship Council (SPADAC) , was established in 2009 at the request of the industry. We register and maintain the standards and qualities found within the current modern apprenticeship.
If you’d like to make your business life easier as well as gain support, friendship and a chance to make a difference to the industry then join us.
Member Benefits
Exclusive with Fleet Direct Sales, with sales director Mark Gardner.
Contact 07342 295718 or email mark@fleetdirectsales.co.uk.
Members have access to free legal advice from the SDF, covering employment law, which is available 24/7. Call us on 01786 448838.
If we need to speak to our legal advisors, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, we will get their advice on your behalf.
For more complex matters, we will put you directly in touch with our employment lawyers for a free initial consultation. Any further consultations will be charged at a special reduced rate for SDF members.
Your Membership Pack includes a Staff Handbook and Working Rules that contain important information regarding employment rights.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
We have a bank of insurance advisors whose services and advice are free and available to all members.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
Through the Scottish Painting Council, we negotiate with the Union on all conditions and matters related to the trade. We immediately inform members of any new agreements well in advance of them being rolled out, giving you good time to plan for any changes.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
The Federations apprenticeship registration arm, the Scottish Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship Council (SPADAC) , was established in 2009 at the request of the industry. We register and maintain the standards and qualities found within the current modern apprenticeship.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
The Year Book contains key information such as office bearers, wage rates, health and safety policy, code of conduct and reports and is included in your Membership Pack.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
For more than 25 years, we’ve produced a regular newsletter to update members on new legislation, health and safety and industry updates as well as new products, members and SDF news.
Newsletters from the last year are included in your Membership Pack.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
Members’ get access to the Members’ Area of the SDF website where you can obtain sample contract forms, details of relevant regulations, payment calculations and much more.
Membership also means that prospective customers can find you through the Find a Decorator
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
When you join the SDF you will receive special offers, discounts or information leaflets from manufacturing members.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
We offer a “No Collection, No Fee” debt collection service for members.
For nominal charges, members can also access other support services including basic commercial searches, domestic searches, full company reports and business monitor.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
Members – and company member employees – can access cost savings on business and holiday travel.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
We promote the SDF and circulate membership to a wide range of bodies, including Councils, health boards, banks, building societies, property holdings (Scotland), Chambers of Commerce and other organisations.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
To promote your membership of the SDF – which denotes high quality of service and work – we have a range of merchandise available, including car stickers, van roundals, ties, diaries, umbrellas and good quality sweaters, polo shirts and ties.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
Members can take advantage of specially discounted design packages for website and business stationery provided by Red Sky Digital.
Members’ websites will be linked to the SDF’s.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help
Decorating Matters Industry magazine is produced on behalf of the Scottish Decorators’ Federation by Connect communications and is published Quarterly with more than 1000 published.
Issues
Membership Requirements
Our members are reputable, qualified tradespeople and, as such, there is a strict criteria for SDF membership:
- Employers must have been trading for a minimum of two years
- Alternatively, start-up companies will be assigned an SDF mentor
- Their staff have to be fully trained to SVQ3 standard, and work to proper certified standards and legislation
- They must follow the Federation’s Code of Conduct
- They must possess all the required insurances
- They must have a landline telephone
- They must provide at least two customer references with an inspection to be undertaken to verify their competency.
Who Can Join?
SDF Membership is open to Decorating Contractors (sole traders and companies), Manufacturing Businesses (paint manufacturers, suppliers, merchants), and Affiliate Membership (any business or person outwith either contractor or associate membership).
Our members are reputable, qualified tradespeople and, as such, there is a strict criteria for SDF membership:
How Do I Join?
1. Check you fulfil the criteria mentioned above
2. Complete the online application form and send it with your payments. If you prefer, you can apply by post – see ‘Apply by post’ to the right for info.
3. The SDF will check your public liability insurance, references and inspect your work
4. If you’re approved, you will be sent your Membership Pack and can access all our services.
For more information, please call us on 01786 448838 and a member of the team will be happy to help.