Home Renovations

8 years ago

I recently hired a professional painting company. They did not bother to fill in nail holes (in one room) or areas through my home where baseboards joined at corners they just painted over these areas. When confronted he said it is not his job. He said he would do me a favor and redo it. He filled in holes poorly, did not sand flush and it looks like a completely different color! Perhaps the filling compound has a color? I asked him how could he possibly think this is acceptable. He mentioned it was the flooring/baseboard installers responsibility and he was doing me a favor. In my opinion it’s part of prepping anything you paint. He has now presented his bill to me. My problem is it needs to be redone. Of course I do not trust his work. My question is how much do I deduct to have this one room baseboard redone and all joints through a two bedroom condo? This is the result! I would appreciate any feedback.

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PRO

GN Builders L.L.C

8 years ago

Never heard a painter not prepping his work prior to being painted. Defeats the purpose of a paint job, like bringing a car to a paint shop with scratches and dents and they spray your car with paint and say bodywork is not included.

If prep work wasn't included in his price did he mentioned that to you? If he didn't mentioned that to you, don't pay him anything until he does the work according to industry standards.

But if he gave you choices; 1. Price for prep and paint X amount 2. Price for paint only is X amount?... and you said I just want the paint job? If he didn't specify options, what he did is not acceptable.

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Comments (10)

User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If prep wasn’t included in the written contract, then you got what you paid for. And didn’t get what you didn’t pay for. $99 a room painters don’t prep. They just paint.

What was in the contract? You don’t get to deduct money willy nilly. That’s a recipe for a lien on your house.
Denita
8 years ago
^agree with Sophie. Sounds like you got a handyman that thinks he is a painter....
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Robbi O'quinn
Original Author
8 years ago
Since this is my first reno I have learned a lot. The baseboard prep was not discussed. He just said paint. This was not put in his contract to me though. Now dealing with his ‘favor’, I now have to redo this. He could have left it at ‘it is not my job’ however he did take it on. He says I’m too picky.
Robbi O'quinn
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the feedback
User
8 years ago
Ask him how much extra for him to fix it, and you will include that in the final check. But only if it meets your satisfaction. That way he is on the hook for it.
Denita
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Whenever a contractor uses the word "favor" you are in trouble IME. I learned the hard way too (about 30 years ago). It is their usual excuse for shoddy work. It is a method for guilting you into accepting a poor job. Don't fall for it. It is a valuable lesson to learn on the front end.

Based on what you show in your pics and the responses he gave you, I wouldn't have him paint or fix anything. I would get a true professional painter that does this as a business and not someone from craigslist or whatever. Count this as a lesson learned. It will keep you from bigger errors in the future.

Remember, the contract is everything. It must be in writing or you won't get it. If a contractor/vendor/service person won't put it in writing, that is your cue to move onto someone else. If they don't have a written contract - then that is a problem in and of itself. A contract benefits you and the vendor/contractor. It defines the scope and the cost and other very important criteria.
User
8 years ago
Painting is relatively easy.

Proper prep work is hard.

What you got was NOT a true professional painter. What you got was a paint slapper oner.

Eat the loss and chalk it up to education. Then go find a real painter who understands the final job should look like a professional did it.

I was a handyman----but I did professional grade painting. Because I was taught how to paint by professional.
Denita
8 years ago
I'm sorry HandyMac, I didn't mean to lump all handymen into the same bucket with my comments above. Some are professional and others don't have a clue.
User
8 years ago
No offense, I ran into many jobs where 'pro's' and 'good' handymen did terrible of subgrade work. I also saw DIY homeowner work that was really good to excellent.

All my work was word of mouth(I did zero advertising). Many jobs were secured when neighbors of a customer saw me working. And, part of my agreement to work on a house was to let prospective customers see or talk about what I did. And, as long as safety was not a concern, I liked to have the customer see what I was doing, so I could explain the process and educate them.

Those are good points when interviewing future workers. Some really good craftspeople do not like customers looking over their shoulders while they work, but good craftspeople should be proud to show their process.