Keep a photos of rooms you like. When you talk with a finisher you can better express your ideas with photographs of what you like.

Recommendations
Word of mouth can be your best resource for finding a finisher. Check with friends and neighbors who have hired finishers. In the alternative, a local designer or decorator will probably have names of faux finishers that they can recommend. Your local paint store will 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. The finisher should also be continuing their training by attending workshops every year or two. The field of decorative finishing is constantly changing and evolving. Through workshops the finisher will be aware of the latest trends. (Sponge painting is so passé.)

Professional Memberships
Is the finisher a member of any professional organizations. Professional Painting Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Interior Design Organizations, etc all lend professional credibility.

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.

Samples Boards
Usually a finisher will have a sample in their portfolio which is close to what you want but not right on the money. With a signed contract for the job they should produce a sample board customized with the color and technique for your job. If you are undecided about hiring them then for a fee of generally $50 to $150 they will produce a sample board. It should be a couple of square feet in size. The sample board allows you to view the finish created especially for you in your home with your furnishings and lighting.
That sample board remains the finisher’s property to prevent clients from shopping the finisher’s sample to other finishers. The finisher has time and money invested in producing that sample and it is unethical to shop it elsewhere.
One final point to keep in mind is to allow for some slight variation between the sample and the completed job. It’s one thing to create a poster board size sample and another to apply it to several hundred square feet of wall by hand climbing up and down ladders.

Allen Monsarrat is a faux and decorative finisher who works in Knox, Blount and surrounding counties. He may be reached at (865) 363-2722.