"Painters" have ruined our house

4 years ago

Two months ago we hired a professional paint company (or a pack of wild hyenas with paint brushes). We did check their references. They had good reviews online and we settled on a contract paying 1/3 up front, 1/3 midway and 1/3 at the end. They estimated 2-3 weeks for completion. They were not close to being finished before our floors were to scheduled done after being on the job for 5 weeks so they came back afterward. What I didn't know is that they are not licensed, my husband gave them additional money due to paint shortages and they are the WORST "painters" in the world. They have ruined every inch of my trim, doors, NEW hardwood flooring, hardware, etc...Sloppy work, broken and missing items, and improper prep (repeatedly painted latex over oil based trim, doors and paneling) throughout the 3800 square foot house. They caulked and painted over drywall debris, dirt, etc...And left all of our doors, custom shutters and built-in drawers outside in the rain, spray painted them a little bit and then stacked up outside. They have been fired at this point because after 3 meetings to discuss issues, they still failed to fix anything, just made it worse. We also learned the "president" or manager of the company is a felon and is on parole (not sure what for) so my husband wants us just to walk away and not pursue damages out of fear. I'm just in tears over this and am struggling to find any painter who is willing to fix their mistakes. I'm guessing the only thing that can be done is 1) strip all latex over oil-based surfaces and prep properly and repaint or 2) tear out all custom trim and doors and install new. Just wanted to vent. I have hundreds of photos but these are just a few...

Featured Answer

cat_ky

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

OMG, thats all awful. Couldnt you see any of this before they got so much finished, and now you have all that extra work to do, and all that expense too. So sorry. Start stripping, one room, at a time. Either paint it all yourself, or make sure you get a good painter next time, and have it done one or two rooms at a time, so this doesnt happen again. Its a horrible mess, from what your pictures show. Since they also might be criminals, I would also make sure all your window locks work, and change out the door locks, since you have no idea, what they have picked up around your house. And install cameras too. Just for your personal safety.

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Comments (8)

Circus Peanut
4 years ago
Dear god. Usually titles like this are complete hyperbole where, if one squints, one can vaguely see a few minor painting errors. This job is an absolute murder, however. I'm so so sorry.

I wish I had some good advice; someone here will probably know further legal steps you can take. I sympathize with the fear of following up due to the sketchy background of this outfit -- we had a somewhat similar issue when an asphalt company vanished from town in the middle of doing our driveway and never showed up again, keeping about $1,500 worth of our pre-paid deposit. Despite having been diligent with getting recommendations, etc, deeper research showed a similar criminal history of the owner. My husband decided it was not worth the worry to follow up legally.

In our case, the amount wasn't worth the trouble, but your loss is far greater given how much you'll need to pay a real company to fix all those errors. You have my unending sympathy. Definitely change all your locks, etc, and move any valuables to new secure locations. Please let us know how things proceed!
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HU-464286693
4 years ago
This is a mess and one that will cost a lot to fix. Painters generally aren't licensed in most states.
klem1
4 years ago
To say they ruined anything isn't accurate, sabotage.is a better discription.
elcieg
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I don't know the $ limits in your state, but run on down to your District Court's Clerk Office and for $50.00 you can file a complaint in small claims court. You most definitely will win your case. I doubt anyone will show in court and if not, you win by default. Bottom line, if you are not payed, the Clerk will get in touch with the Sherriff 's Dept.; a capias written and the owner of the business will be arrested.

Reviews, reviews...write your own.

Parole, means he was in jail. Call your state parole board and ask to be put in touch with his parole officer.
ci_lantro
4 years ago
I'm trying to figure out how this happened.

3800 square feet with 1/3 payment up front, 1/3 midpoint..., 5 weeks.....how did this get past the half way point? The 'painters' should have been run off the job by Day 2, at the latest.

And more money for paint??
klem1
4 years ago
"And more money for paint??"

If people refused to swallow those stories there wouldn't be such thing as con men.
HU-464286693
3 years ago
Real companies have insurance and it's something you should request proof of when hiring a contractor. File a claim with their insurance. I did that when a mason tuckpointed my house and got the dust all over my new concrete and discolored it. They paid for a complete tear-out and pour.