It's looks like no prep work was done prior to painting. The only way to fix it is to go back and do it the proper way... Sand/scrape off all the old filler and paint, fill the gaps using a filling knife for a neat finish, … if you don't have a steady hand tape up unpainted woodwork, and finally repaint.

It might be better to get a professional painter in to do all these fiddly bits.

They spent ages sanding down but to be honest the finish overall is poor. Ironically they asked if we’d allow photos on their Facebook page. We declined!
Was hoping there was an easier fix to neaten up where the handrail meets the posts. Don’t want to have to sand it all down etc. Underneath the handrail I can tape & paint. So disappointed!! 😞
Thanks for your help.

Quite a poor job really which is such a shame. If budget allows could you get a good experienced decorator to repair it?

I agree Sonia. I would like to send the photos to the ‘decorators’ but my husband would prefer it if we didn’t have any further contact with them. Grrrr....

Eeee, I did rather gasp especially at the last image.

Agree with arc3d. Basically start from scratch. Can’t believe they did that.

Oh dear! Why didn't they use masking tape? I don't know how some so-called professionals get away with it.

Honestly I’m so disappointed with them. They get recommended on a local Facebook group.but I suspect many maybe from friends! I don’t have faith in them to redo it. I did a separate post the other week about the other things they didn’t do properly :(

LTS I feel your fear. I’ve got decorators coming next month who were recommended on Facebook by several people. However he did discuss taping up and laying protective sheeting on the floor so I pray 🙏 he’s good! Scary! I also get how you don’t want them back, I don’t think I would.

Shocking. I would bite the bullet and give it a good sanding down and paint it white. You live and learn. This is why I prefer to do everthing myself. Only get a ”professional” if absolutely necessary.

It should not take much to simply scrape off the paint as it is on top of the "varnish" - then re-stain and apply varnish to whole of handrail. This is why I always do the painting myself.

Keeping everything crossed your decorator is good Sonia 🤞🏻

I like the oak rail but I can see why painting it white would be an easier option gold895.
Sarah I did post some of the photos on the local FB page asking for recommendations but I didn’t name the culprits but am hoping they will have seen the pics.
Ensign I presume I’ll need to sand all of the handrail not just where the messy paint is?thanks all :)

They’ve been a bit slap dash there. I’d start with sanding just the joining bits and touching them up, I think. If this doesn’t give a satisfactory result, only then would I contemplate redoing the whole thing. Such a shame when you’ve paid for a professional job,

Will give it a go! Unfortunately the new carpet is being fitted as I type so I will have to be super duper careful 😬

Have a lovely weekend everyone 😊