ADVICE PLEASE - Substandard Painting Workmanship

[Mobyturns]

Thank you to all who provided constructive thoughts.

I spoke with the painter this morning - I offered a way through, but it very quickly became apparent that he no longer wanted to complete the work, and he offered to leave.

This was the best result for all.

woodPixel's post of yesterday that appears to have been deleted contained some sound advice - if someone is not up to the job, let them go early.

One poor trade in 20 years - I have probably been very fortunate.

Thanks again.

Sounds like cool heads prevailed. Best outcome for all, a few ruffled feathers but no real harm done. Sometimes the client / trades match just does not work out.

My parents were small - medium traditional home builders for 30 years up to the late '80's. They experienced quite a bit from clients pulling a swifty, disputes over sub-trades workmanship etc however they always attempted to resolve matters before they escalated. Contracts, specifications, and a "day book" saved their bacon with no disputes ever being formalized. Over-spending by clients on prime cost items was always an issue.

Times have changed as far as the legal landscape goes with the options of mediation without legal representatives before a mediator or magistrate

[Cgcc]

I work in commercial disputes in a professional capacity. I do not think there is any categorically correct answer.

The one thing I am confident in stating is that disputes are very rarely easy to resolve satisfactorily. If you can avoid it by talking with them and negotiating an outcome you can live with, you should try to do so despite the discomfort.

I know that is easy to say as opposed to doing but I thought worth piping in.

Chris

Good morning, Please could I have some advice/thoughts on this.

I engaged a painter to paint a 1920's rendered house with timber windows. Ahead of his engagement I provided a detailed specification sheet for how each surface was to be prepared and painted, including the undercoat and paint be used.

When I arrived to inspect progress on the windows I noticed the surface imperfections and peeling paint that were visible before painting commenced were visible through the newly applied gloss, I was told that "you can't see the imperfections until the gloss is applied - I will patch them up". It was soon apparent that the specifications in terms of surface preparation (which included washing, sanding and feathering edges and filling where needed (and re-priming) had not been followed.

Should I:
1. Dismiss the painter?
2. Require that he sand back to the remove the coatings applied and restart?
3. Something else?

Would value the thoughts of any who have been in a similar position.

Many thanks

[Pearo]

From what I have seen on most building sites painters don't do much prep work they seem to assume the chippy is responsible for sanding out spindle moulder marks left be the cutters, it just seems to be the way things are these days.

I would be interested in peoples opinion on standards v cost. I have always use linea board so no sanding out, but if I used timber I would not expect the painters to sand it smooth (its bad enough asking them to use a nail punch on the interior!!). Even when you merge Linea board with existing weatherboard with minimal prep the outcome is pretty decent.

For a larger built in Queenslander inside and out, I would expect to pay about 30k+ for a medium level finish, and 50k+ for a higher end finish. By the sounds of it, neither would meet the standards of most here.

[rwbuild]

It is the carpenters job to punch all nails.
Fairly standard trade practice for painters on new project type homes is internal 2 coats, external 2 depending on the type of external materials, and that's if the pre paint trades have done a fair and reasonable job and the integrity of the builder or supervisor.
Weather on the day also has an impact on quality ie: too hot or too cold, too much humidity, these all require different techniques
Quality new homes minimum 3 coats depending on finish specified and material being used.
In both cases, certain colours require an extra coat to obtain coverage or depth of colour.

[Beardy]

Further to what Ray has said the major paint suppliers also provide a special colour selection chart for the project home builders clients to select their colour scheme off. These colours are specifically chosen for their superior coverage abilities to allow the two coat system to provide an acceptable finished product. At that level the value for money is terrific and then you move up the scale of diminishing return for the price point just like what happens with any product or service

[Pearo]

It is the carpenters job to punch all nails.

And God help you if you miss one!!! I have had painters almost walk off the job because a couple of nails are sitting proud!!

[rwbuild]

Yep, I have dealt with "Karen" type painters..... "Don't come back"