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acountryfarm

Big problem, what would you do?

18 years ago

So we are nearing the end of build, finally. I know some of you know my horrible 3 yr. long story. But it gets worse.

Hired our original painter, signed contract etc. He later quit as he said he way underbid job, this is after getting paid for 1/2 of paint job.

Anyway, I pick paint color ( SW Dover White) for all ceilings and EXTENSIVE beadboard, cabinetry & trimwork. He paints ceilings upstairs. Everything looks great.

New painter comes on and gets ready to start spraying trimwork, beadboard. Three days into he says,

"you, know that because original painter ordered wrong paint color the ceilings and trimwork etc. don't match, right ? "

NO, I don't know this. He is about done with upstairs, I go look and sure enough they don't match. I tell him respray ceilings and I will figure out what happened.

I guess the original painter ordered Dover White from place where we were getting all paint color matched in the right SW colors. He assumed it would be right when he told them Dover white. He did not think they would have their own Dover White ( isn't he in the business because he is suppose to be a professional?) Anyway the WHite we had was indeed Dover White, but from someone else. Very stark white, lots of cool blue -ishness in it. Not at all what I wanted.

We also had 5 5 gallons of this stuff already mixed, great. Decided that for entire downstairs we would buy new paint and do it right.

Get SW Dover White.

Downstairs is now almost done. It is beautiful, creamy white. Just what it is supposed to be. I hate the upstairs.

A much as I hate to think about it.... would you, should I, have them re-tape & re-spray upstairs with the right color. This is an upstairs that does have a door in the stair well so there is good separation. But still it is so different. I hate to think of 2 different colors of trim,beadboard, cabinetry, etc. also hate to think about re-doing it.

Its not just a little trim, it is extensive with lots of built-ins and cabinetry as well.

Voice your opinions please. DH says have them re-spray, the cost is minimal as far as paint goes.. But to have it right??? What cost???

Sorry this is so long, I am just sick about the whole thing. Pics if you need them. Thanks to all you wonderful people.

Kimberly

Comments (17)

  • 18 years ago

    I would have them redo it or it will always bother you! It's better to do it now than to have to go back and do it later once you have all your furnishings in place.
    ~Des

  • 18 years ago

    Focus only on the true outcome you want. Since everything you do (leave it as is, paint it all again) will be problematic, just get it over with! And then you'll be happy you took the step to do it.

  • 18 years ago

    Have it all redone .....

    Jan

  • 18 years ago

    Oh acountryfarm, It never ends, does it? But... I would have them respray it. I'm pretty sure no one will be able to see the color difference, but you will know. I find myself regretting some of the decisions I made to the tail end of the build to contain costs. It would have been so much easier to just say "do it" and be done. You have beautiful cabinetry, bead board and trim and I think you will regret it if it isn't exactly as you want. Good luck getting this resolved. I can't wait to see pictures when you are ALL DONE! Jaymie

  • 18 years ago

    You say you really hate it and it is obviously bothering you. It sounds like it will always bother you and you will never get used to it. This is bad Feng Shui for a house. Everytime you walk upstairs you will be a little bit stressed and think about that painter.

    It may affect resale value of the home down the road.

    Right now the whole place is in the process of being painted so everything is in "painting mode" and it will be easier and less stressful, to do NOW than two years later it you decide you can't live with it.

    You say DH wants it repainted. His opinion counts a lot. He has to look at it everyday. We don't. If you don't do it now, and decide later down the road to do it, he may roll his eyes and no longer wish to change it.

    I would repaint it.

    Take photos of the bad job the previous painter did. Get a separate estimate for the repainting from the new guy. Get a written statement from him. You may be able to recoup the cost in small claims court if the other guy is a legitimate business and not a fly-by "independant". Have your ducks in order, just in case you persue it in small claims court.

  • 18 years ago

    I agree with everyone here....just repaint.

    And big hugs to you. I know only a little about your saga, but I know it has been really tough. I am crawling to the finish line too and can feel your pain.

  • 18 years ago

    Kimberly I know you've really been through the mill with this build. You're in the home stretch now and the paint cost and inconvenience is going to seem insignificant compared to everything else you've been through...... unless you don't do it, and then it will smack you in the face everytime you start up those stairs. Repaint.

  • 18 years ago

    I agree, repaint. A couple extra coats of paint on drywall are probably a good thing.

  • 18 years ago

    My gosh! It's hard to find people that actually take pride and responsibility in their work. Have it redone or it'll forever bug you until it's fixed. Sounds like you're almost finished! Hang in, it'll all be worth it!

  • 18 years ago

    I usually lurk but I'll chime in on this one. Repaint. If you don't do it now, you will want to do it "someday" when it finally wears on your last nerve. So much easier to do it now (and probably less expensive, too) as the prep will be minimal compared to a furnished house. Give away the wrong paint (freecycle, Habitat for Humanity, someplace where it will be appreciated) to add to your good karma. Hang in there--it will all be worth it in the end.

  • 18 years ago

    Count my vote in the "repaint" column. Don't let the botched job diminish your enjoyment of your lovely new home.

    The wrong paint is a very light color and it might be possible to add additional tint to it to get a new color for some future project.

  • 18 years ago

    Go ahead and have it repainted now. Your husband would like it repainted and paint is relatively inexpensive compared to other things. I remember when we added our family room onto the house. My sister and I chose a lovely salmon color, ha, ha! In a south-facing room it wasn't salmon, it was a screaming pink flamingo color. In 24 hours time, my DH painted that room twice. I felt really bad about my husband having so much work to do, and the fact that the paint was wasted money but so relieved when it was repainted. Besides, this wasn't even your fault!

  • 18 years ago

    Everyone .... THANK YOU !!!!! I am glad to know I am not crazy for even thinking of doing this.
    I will break it to painters tomorrow that they get to do it over. They won't be thrilled but they will do it gladly as they are good employees (this is one of the guys we had to hire to supervise because our builder was incompetent).
    They are not the one's who goofed.

    So we will repaint.
    I appreciate all the support and will say the creamy Dover White is beautiful. I can't wait to share pics.

    Habitat for Humanity is a great idea. I was going to list it on CL but thats better.

    Again, thank you !!

  • 18 years ago

    I totally agree, it needs to be redone. After 3 years of building, it should be done the way you've been waiting for it to be done.

    Giving that paint to Habitat for Humanity is an awesome idea, it may not be fun buying new paint but at least you know something positive will come from it. Bravo!

  • 18 years ago

    Habitat would probably give you a tax receipt for the paint . . . a little payback for a good deed!

    I got to this party late, but I agree . . . it needs to look right to you. Your eyes will be drawn to the wrong color every time you enter the area. And now is the least disruptive time to do it.

    Good luck!

  • 18 years ago

    Looks like you've decided, but I have to agree. I'm living with a color I don't really like and didn't like after it was up, but thought I could get used to it and it would look different with furniture in etc. Not so. I recommend paint now when it is easier without furniture in the way.

  • 18 years ago

    So sorry this happened to you. We did hire painters to paint our house and to avoid just what you went through I personally ordered and picked up the paint. Didn't want any screw ups. Too bad he did a bad job on some of the actual painting. Oh that's another story and one that is forgotten. LOL