Yakima Herald-Republic: These Painters Are Proud to Be Called Pros

These Painters Are Proud to Be Called Pros

Published in the Herald-Republic on Monday, April 24, 2000

Photo By Roy Musitelli/Yakima Herald-Republic

Painting contractors Jim Schumacher, left, and Steve Martin are active members of the Yakima chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, which sets high professional standards.

By Ed Stover

YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

"Potluckers."

That's what Steve Martin's dad used to call them: So-called painting contractors, except they are unlicensed, unbonded, have no state industrial insurance and do slipshod work. They collect their money, then leave the job to blister and peel.

"I asked him where the name came from. He said, 'Because that's what you get when you hire them: potluck.' "

Added Jim Schumacher: "They usually go in, screw up a few jobs, then go bankrupt."

Martin and Schumacher know about residential and commercial painting. They grew up in the business.

"At the dinner table, we ate, breathed and talked painting," recalled Martin, who now owns Steve Martin Painting Service. Same with Schumacher -- he and his dad, John, started the Schumacher Painting Co. in 1978, a business that Jim Schumacher now runs.

Both men are proud to call themselves painting contractors, and they want people to know there's a right way and a wrong way to paint a house, a living room, a floor or even a water tower.

They and other members of the Yakima chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America adhere to a strict set of standards. Those standards govern how they approach a job, accomplish the job and leave the job.

"There's more to it than getting a roller and a brush and throwing some paint on the wall," said Martin, the current PDCA chapter president. Schumacher is a past president, both locally and at the state level, and is active on national committees.

The two men say a journeyman painter learns his craft only after years of on-the-job experience. In the PDCA, there is a test of industry knowledge, plus there are minimum requirements before a member can receive a residential or commercial certificate as a painting contractor.

They must have the necessary licenses, be bonded and have industrial insurance. They must have a five-year business plan. They must have a safety plan.

"There is a difference between calling yourself a painting contractor and being a painting contractor -- a PDCA contractor is going to back up their work 100 percent," said Martin.

The national association has even developed a training program for apprentice painters. It is called the "Wheel of Learning" and includes a three-year curriculum that, locally, is being adopted by Perry Technical Institute.

Perry Tech President J Tuman said the school has been working with the PDCA for some time, planning a curriculum, and hopes to have the first Wheel of Learning classes on next fall's class schedule.

"Most of the classes will be offered at night so students can still work during the day," said Martin. He said anyone interested in learning more about the program can contact him at 949-4597 or Schumacher at 248-2000.

The proper training means not only professional credibility, but also professional pay and benefits. "A journeyman painter equals a master's degree when it comes to pay," said Martin, adding that the pay range runs from about $10 an hour for a learning painter to about $22.47 an hour for a journeyman. At the top end, that's nearly $45,000 a year. "Plus, needless to say, you can go anywhere in the world and get a job."

Nationally, the PDCA is working hard to get more young people into the profession. The local chapter includes 10 or so local contractors and their employees, for a total membership of more than 100. About 4,000 contractors belong to the national, plus their employees for a total membership estimated at 50,000.

"We're a pretty competitive, outspoken group," said Martin, referring to the local chapter. The membership is quick to hold one another accountable to PDCA standards.

But there also is a strong commitment to the community. "We're involved in the anti-graffitti program this month," said Schumacher, referring to the joint city-community effort to paint over "tagging" at various points in the city.

But the emphasis remains on professionalism, including keeping abreast of new products, new environmental laws and new technology.

One irresponsible potlucker can poison the well for a whole community of professionals, said Martin.

"They come in, they work out of the back of their station wagon, they don't prepare, they don't even prime -- they give us a bad name."

The trained professional approaches a job with the customer in mind first and foremost. They ask three questions: How can I do the job correctly in a timely manner? Who in my shop is capable of doing the job? How much will I charge?

"Most potluckers start with, how much will I charge?" said Martin. "Remember, there are four stages in the painting process -- cleaning, preparation, priming and painting -- and 90 percent of all painting projects is preparation!"

Martin says he still remembers asking his father, Al Martin, a career professional, what it took to be a journeyman painter.

"He pointed to the top of the highest water tower, then he pointed to the finish on an oak floor. He said, 'You have to learn how paint everything between that and this. When you learn that, then you're a journeyman."