Terrible paint job misleading contractor? Or confused first timer?

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

I need some advice. My husband and I hired a contractor after getting three bids. The contact was struck indicating patching and sanding would be done. The exterior of my home was done and you can see remnants of old paint underneath the new paint. Should that be visible? Also there's some areas of the wood I think could be cleaned up a bit. The interior there are bubbles and rough patches that I've asked him to correct, he replied that its old wallpaper marks and that I would need new drywall. I've been looking up painting tips and read it can be sanded out. I asked him to simply sand it, and he indicated that its not going to smooth the surface. I feel as though he's taking advantage of me knowing that this is my first home and doesn't want to fix the mistakes. Please, any advice at this point would be helpful. I also have some problems in the bathroom which is posted below, sorry for the poor quality pics, try to update photos taken with an actual camera later.

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Granite Grannies Hethmon

13 years ago

It's hard to say. I can't tell from the photos what it actually looks like. I know from a lot of personal experience that if the wall was not smooth, it would have been hard, but then again prepping the wall should have been part of the original quote. I assume you went with the lowest quote? I know if it's your first home you probably don't have the luxury of picking the most expensive painter, but in the home improvement industry you get what you pay for.

On the other hand, if you did your research and picked a contractor you trusted, then maybe you are asking for something that can't be done. Online research is not the same as years of actual experience. Again, I have no idea whether you are asking to much or he is taking advantage of you, but you may want to consider whether you are expecting him to do more than you hired him to, and that he may be right about the wall.

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Comments (12)

agochic
Original Author
13 years ago
Note the images aren't showing the extent of the job. I'll try and update later with dslr pics.
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Geneviève
13 years ago
If several layers of wallpaper were applied trough the years and never peeled off for painting this is usually what happens , I don't think that the contractor is taking advantage of you ,he is been frank about it. You could take a scraper and scrape and scrape to remove the old wall paper but in doing so the drywall or plaster will get damaged . so you are better off in replacing the dry wall and paint on a new wall . If you decide to paint choose a flat , eggshell paint this paint finish will lessen the imperfections of the walls .
agochic
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you Granite grannies, I will get some dslr photos, to post soon, this may clear things up. The contract stated there'd be cleaning, sanding, and scraping of old surface paints. The home is very old though. I think better pictures will help. We went with the second to lowest quote on painting.
elcieg
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
You should not see remnants of old paint underneath new. That should have been sanded first and primed.

As for your bathroom, that, too, is inexcusable. As a professional, your painter should have properly prepped that wall first. If he decided after doing it the walls were still in bad shape, I would have expected him to have a convo with you about a remedy.

Tell him you want both of those issues remedied. See what his response is before you offer to meet him in small claims court.

A tip: it looks like you painted with a gloss paint. That finish will exacerbate any flaws. Next time do a matte (not flat) finish.
PRO
Granite Grannies Hethmon
13 years ago
If the contract said he would prep the space, then you're probably right that he is trying to get away with poor quality work.
kathleen MK
13 years ago
You really don't have to replace the the sheetrock but it's hard work removing every bit of wall paper and sanding or re texturing. In my first of 3 bathroom re-dos, I learned the hard way that those little bits of wallpaper backing will absorb the moisture from the paint then bubble after drying. So it could have looked great after the last paint stroke then bubbled as it dried. Your contractor shouldn't make my amateur mistakes. Good luck with getting him to correct it.
PRO
K.O.H. Construction Corporation
13 years ago
I can see the dents in the pic, not good. All wallpaper residue should have been removed, patched, sanded, primed and 2 coats of paint applied. I see flashed areas. This is because some parts absorb more of the finish coat than others therefore causing discrepancies in the finish. The rule of thumb in painting is, Standing 6' away from the wall painted with flat paint in natural light without the help of direct lighting or sun beams one should not see flaws. This rule does not apply to bathrooms because you will always be close to the wall. The painter knew the sheen before he started and should have prepped the walls accordingly. It is advisable not to use anything glossier than eggshell sheen. If you use quality paint there should be no issues with the durability and cleaning.
agochic
Original Author
13 years ago
@K.O.H Construction, thank you! I have a feeling I might need to hire a new painter. :/
judithstern
11 years ago
Hope this has all been resolved?
sarahrich
11 years ago
Both
sarahrich
11 years ago
Both