do you know who you are hiring?

This week I want to help make sure you know what to look for when hiring a painter. I am sure most of us are not aware of the fact that the state of New Mexico cancelled licensing for painting contractors. Yes this is not a typo. The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department decided to eliminate licensing for painting contractors. (Maybe they decided they are making to much money) They have claimed "complaints against these trades as problematic because there is no code standard to which the work performed can be held. As such, licensing the contractors in these trades does not promote public welfare, does not provide protection of life or property." Wait a minute, licensing does help with protection of property. It helps to ensure that the contractor has insurance, as well as paying there fair share of taxes. 
Painting was classified as GS-18, with the regulation and licensing department. This is the website that tells what they have decided to declassify  www.rld.state.nm.us/constuction. 
We are wanting to inform people about this so that they will have knowledge. If a person hires someone because they are cheap, do they have insurance? Or will they be suing the home owners insurance if something happens. How is the home owners property protected? What if they get over spray on cars, break something, or even worse, they get hurt? Is the homeowner going to have to go through their insurance carrier and possibly get their insurance increased, or possibly be sued? 
When you hire someone to do work at your home, please make sure they are insured. This protects you as the home owner. It is not worth saving a dollar if it ends up costing you down the road, if they are not carrying insurance. How do you make sure they will not take off with your money? Most painting companies will require some type of deposit. If they are a real painting company then that deposit is insured with the companies insurance.
P.S. if someone says they have a New Mexico license to paint, beware because it is not possible anymore. As of April 1st all have expired.