could I ask for third coat on my kitchen cupboard..???

[cyphercat]

I just had my kitchen painted and he just finished yesterday. I feel that kitchen cupboard could do with one more coat as tiny bits of green (the previous colour) can be seen on a very close inspection. I paid him £700 and feel that I should be able to ask him to do this for free... Would you? and how would I ask him nicely?

[rubles]

Yes I would ask. I wouldn't enjoy it, but long term it is the best thing to do otherwise it will really annoy you and you will end up painting it yourself...in which case what did you pay £700 for.

I would ring him up, say that I can still see the old colour coming through and simply ask 'when would you be able to come and put another coat on?'. Don't offer any extra money, just leave it at that.

I hate, hate, hate dealing with tradesmen, so good luck.

[cyphercat]

oooh...scared..I will call him tomorrow. what if he says that I would have to pay more..????

[rubles]

Hmm, I don't know. Did he specifically quote for 2 coats? Did he quote for undercoat too?

I can't believe that if he did two coats + undercoat properly that the green would still be coming through so if that was the quote then he hasn't done a proper job.

If he only quoted for 2 coats, then I suppose he may ask for more money, but then again he may not in order to keep your goodwill. If he wants more you have two choices I suppose, you insist he does it for free (and then you may not be successful so you may end up doing it yourself) or you agree to pay him. You maybe should decide now how much work is involved and think whether you are prepared to do the touching up yourself or whether you would want to pay him more.

I would start the conversation with a confident tone that assumes he will be coming back to do the snags, ie when not if. Don't ask if he can, don't ask how much, leave that up to him.

[katch]

I'd approach it as Rubles said - and say that it's only noticeable now it's dry - a mistake anyone would have made.

[cyphercat]

yay. I did it! He came today gladly and did one more coat for free and said he should have done it right in the first place!! So hard to know. Thank you so much.