HOW TO DEAL WITH A BAD CARPENTER

12 years ago

We are in the midst of a downstairs renovation. We were intending to keep existing kitchen and bar cabinets because they were in great shape, but the cabinet guy who was recommended to us by our designer totally butchered what we had and didn't even paint the existing cabinets properly-meanwhile charging us $8,000 just for painting them white...obviously we were totally ripped off. ANYONE ELSE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION? We are loosing our steam 3/4 of the way through our project and want to hire someone to clean up the mess but don't want to pay twice what we already paid. Any advice appreciated! Thanks!

Featured Answer

tsudhonimh

12 years ago

Please explain "butchered" and "the mess" ... exactly what did he do? And take pictures showing the problems ... LOTS OF good, well-lit PICTURES with the date and time in them.

I would first talk to the designer and tell them that you are not happy with the recommended painter, show them the bad job, explain why it is unacceptable, and ask them what they will do to "make it good**" at no added expense to you.

Here's the usual way to handle a botched job:
Do NOT pay them the final installment until you are happy ... tell him that he has ONE chance to fix any physical damage and strip, sand and paint in a "workman-like manner***" ... for NO EXTRA PAY, because you don't pay him to fix his errors. His screw-ups are his problem.

If he doesn't fix it to a "workman-like standard" within a reasonable time, you hire someone to fix his mess, pay that person, and sue the bad painter for the difference if it costs more to fix his mistakes than you were going to pay him to do it right.

Example: If it takes $10,000 to clean up his mess and do it right, you pay the new painter the $10K and sue the old one for the $2K additional cost (plus the legal fees). If you have already paid the bad painter $5K you sue to get that back too. Because he didn't do what he was contracted to do.

** This is a LEGAL term ... it means "fix the mess".

*** This is also a LEGAL term ... it means that as a professional in his trade, he has to deliver a certain quality of work. For a painter, it would mean smooth even coverage on the agreed-upon places with no paint on things that were not supposed to be painted.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

PRO
JSM Custom Contracting
12 years ago
Sorry you're in this situation. Perhaps, you may have to cut your losses there, but as far as hiring new, please check this website www.homewyse.com service costs to arm yourself with knowledge of fair pricing and work practices in your area.
Aliza Goldsmith thanked JSM Custom Contracting
Aliza Goldsmith
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow that site is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing.
Related Professionals
Springfield Interior Designers & Decorators · Alexandria Interior Designers & Decorators · Morgan City Interior Designers & Decorators · El Paso Interior Designers & Decorators · Westminster Architects & Building Designers · Winston-Salem Architects & Building Designers · Worcester Architects & Building Designers · Aberdeen Architects & Building Designers · Durango Architects & Building Designers · Dodge City Architects & Building Designers · Ottawa Architects & Building Designers · Fort Smith Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cedar Rapids Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ontario Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Sarnia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
traceywsmith
11 years ago
But I can't afford to hire someone to fix my issues as my $20000.00 loan is all gone. I am so screwed. I am a widow and barely get by financially-and my house is still not supported correctly
Yhaz K
11 years ago
Aw man! That's tough, Aliza! So sorry to hear that... :( Any way you could perhaps appeal to the first carpenter to fix the mess? Or at least do something of a part refund , so you can get someone who could sort out the mess? )
traceywsmith
11 years ago
yes-but first I need to get an inspector to report that the work is not correct. That costs $300 and way to tight on budget for that. Have a handy man friend that I don't want to be involved and get into trouble. Looking for best way to get professional to inspect so I can present it to the Carpenter. Don't want to be fined by the town for not meeting building standard as there was no permit pulled to add the support beam for the entire house. Friend said still don't have decent support-and that is carpenters fault. I also had a "roofer" fix my roof-but come to find out 15 years later he just put on an illegal and dangerously heavy third layer. So roof is in jeopardy as well. I am 60yrs and need this house to retire in-but cant retire if the house eats up all my money. So sad and tired of being taken advantage of. Now room mate abandoned his least and disappeared without paying 3 months rent.

Tracey
Angel 18432
11 years ago
nov 2013 post.
joes6220
8 years ago
is there any justice for us ripped off home owners
tedbixby1981
8 years ago
Not really. I've hired reputable ones that checked off all the boxes including friends recommendations and still got ripped off. I'm in my 7th home and each home I've remodeled and there has been at least one contractor that "ripped" me off. I think I know what I'm doing when I'm hiring these people. It's gotten to the point that I'm so skeptical about hiring a contractor that I don't know if my current house is ever going to be remodeled. Still hurting from the last one that scr$#@ me!