De Betere Schilder and OnderhoudNL: what do they mean?

When choosing a painter, you often see the logos of quality marks and trade organisations on websites and quotes. Oranje Kwast is a member of De Betere Schilder and of Koninklijke OnderhoudNL. But what do those names actually tell you, and what do you as a customer gain from such a membership? In this article you will read what a quality mark means in the painting trade, what these two organisations stand for and how to use that information when choosing a painter.

1. Why quality marks exist

In the Netherlands, anyone can call themselves a painter and register a business. That makes it hard for you as a customer to tell in advance who is skilled and who is not. Quality marks and trade organisations fill that gap. They set requirements for their members, for example in terms of training, experience and the way customers are treated, and they check whether those requirements are met.

A quality mark is therefore not an advertising slogan, but a sign that another party has taken a look. It does not replace your own judgement, but it does give you something to go on. Especially when you compare quotes from different painters side by side, it is one of the points to look out for.

2. De Betere Schilder

De Betere Schilder is a quality mark for painters who are qualified and assessed. Members commit to a number of arrangements that the customer notices directly:

• A professional painter who is qualified and whose work has been assessed.
• A clear, written quote, so it is clear in advance what will be done.
• A guarantee lasting several years on the painting work carried out.
• Registered terms of delivery, which are officially recorded and do not change from job to job.

For you, that mainly means clarity. You know before the work starts on what terms it will be carried out, and you have a quote on paper to fall back on. What a guarantee on paintwork generally involves and what to look out for is explained in guarantees on paintwork.

3. Koninklijke OnderhoudNL

Koninklijke OnderhoudNL is the organisation for businesses in the painting, maintenance and finishing trades. In the Netherlands the Royal title, Koninklijk, is only granted to organisations that have existed for a long time and enjoy a good reputation. Anyone wishing to become a member has to meet strict requirements in terms of quality, qualifications, experience, safety and reliability.

Membership shows that a painter commits to the standards within the trade and takes his work seriously. For you as a client, it is extra confirmation that you are dealing with a craftsman who meets the requirements of the sector, alongside the De Betere Schilder quality mark.

4. What it means for you as a customer

In practice you see those commitments reflected in the way Oranje Kwast works. It starts with a free consultation in which our painter comes by in person. That is followed by a tailored quote that is clear and detailed, so there are no surprises afterwards. The work is carried out with premium brands such as Sigma, Sikkens and Wijzonol, and at completion you check the result together.

All work comes with a guarantee. That certainty is especially valuable for exterior painting and wood rot repair, where the quality of the preparation only really becomes visible after a few seasons. You can read more about our painter and the way he works on the about Oranje Kwast page.

5. Checking any painter for yourself

A logo on a website is easy to add. So with every painter you are considering, check whether the membership is genuine, for instance via the websites of the organisations themselves. Also ask for the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number and the terms under which they work. Oranje Kwast is registered under KvK number 90612396.

Then compare the content of the quotes: what preparation is included, which paint will be used and what does it say about the guarantee? How to do that step by step is explained in comparing quotes from painters. If you are looking for a reliable painter near you in Amsterdam, Zaandam or elsewhere in North Holland, you can submit a no-obligation request straight away via the quote page.

In practice this topic belongs with interior painting and exterior painting. There you can read about the approach and the options, or request a free, no-obligation quote straight away.

Further reading: Can you have painting done in winter?, How often does exterior painting need doing?, How much does spraying walls cost?.

Frequently asked questions