Why Painter Credentials Matter

Not all painters are equal. Learn why professional credentials make a crucial difference.

You might think all painters are created equal. After all, anyone can pick up a brush and roller, right?

While it’s true that formal education isn’t required to become a painting contractor, the assumption that all painters are created equal couldn’t be further from the truth—and it’s precisely why painter credentials make all the difference between a disappointing experience and a transformational one.

Let’s paint a picture (pun intended). Imagine your property has sun exposure on the southern facade, moisture issues near the water, and is built with historic materials requiring special care. Can you trust your painting contractor to know which primers, paints, and application methods would address these concerns?

Even if you live in a modern home with few challenges, how can you be confident your painter knows which products will provide lasting protection and deliver the look you want? Or that they’ll treat your home with the care it deserves, and you won’t be left with a mess to clean up once they’re gone?

The wild west of painting contractors

In the United States, there are approximately 320,000 painting contractors. Yet only a tiny fraction—just 1,400—are active members of the Painting Contractors Association (PCA). And only those who are truly dedicated to their craft stay up to date with best practices shared by the Master Painters Institute (MPI).

What does this mean for you? When you hire someone without verifying their painter credentials, you’re essentially rolling the dice on your property’s appearance, protection, and value.

Why we’re in the top .43%

Since 1977, we've been committed to elevating the standards of painting services through professional development and certification.

Our PCA membership and MPI connections place us among the top 0.43% of painting contractors nationwide.

These aren’t just fancy logos on our website. They’re commitments that guide our approach to every project.

How painter credentials translate to better results

By choosing a painting contractor with MPI and PCA credentials, you’re getting more than a paint job. You’re investing in:

• Proper surface preparation resulting in longer-lasting finishes, better adhesion on tough surfaces, and identification and remediation of underlying issues

• Product knowledge that leads to the right paints, primers, and finishes for your specific needs

• Application expertise and techniques that ensure even coverage and proper drying

• Problem-solving skills that mean our team doesn’t need to experiment on your property—we already know proven and tested solutions (And in the rare situations where we encounter something unusual, we have direct access to industry experts with the answers.)

Perhaps the greatest benefit of working with a credential-backed painting contractor is peace of mind. When you choose Mike Walsh Painting and Decorating, you’re partnering with professionals who use proven methods instead of shortcuts, follow industry best practices for safety and quality, and deliver results that stand the test of time.

In an industry where anyone can claim expertise, our painter credentials provide objective proof of our commitment to excellence.

Stop settling and choose confirmed expertise

Your property deserves more than just a coat of paint—it deserves protection, beauty, and craftsmanship backed by legitimate professional standards.

When you're ready to experience the difference that professional painter credentials make, we're here to bring our best to your project.

Book our team of professionals today.