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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be absolutely gutted with this paintwork?

148 replies

123Holly · 04/10/2019 22:05

I’ve had a painter and decorator in to paint a hall and stairs as well as the woodwork. The woodwork was going from stained wood to white so yes it is a pain in the backside type of job, but I really don’t think this is acceptable. I was here when he did the walls which were done really well but the woodwork is awful.
Where do I stand on payment? I’ve not paid him anything yet, but he wants me to BACS him £600 tonight.

To be absolutely gutted with this paintwork?
To be absolutely gutted with this paintwork?
To be absolutely gutted with this paintwork?
OP posts:
Shadow1234 · 05/10/2019 00:23

What a mess of a job! I certainly wouldn't pay him a penny. (and I would have no problem telling him that either). I would tell him if he wants his money then he will have to take me to court - they would have a field day with those pictures!

HennyPennyHorror · 05/10/2019 00:28

Oh that's BAD OP! My DH is a decorator and he'd be horrified at that...even I can paint better! And DH always laughs at my efforts.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 05/10/2019 00:29

Send him a link to this thread and see what he reckons his lowest is?

Interestedwoman · 05/10/2019 00:29

YANBU!!!! I like to (probably wrongly) think I could do better than that!

mummymayhem18 · 05/10/2019 00:43

That is absolutely shocking. You can see lots of hairs and bits that have just stuck to the paintwork that he's not even tried to hide plus he's even got some paint on your carpet. That is not how a professional works. Also £600 is way too much anyhow. Did that include all of the paint or did you buy that yourself beforehand? Definitely do not pay £600,and I would say £450 is a bit of a CFuckery as well. Especially as you will need to put it right. You hold all the cards in your hand as you've not paid him yet so don't let him take the piss. Excuse the language but it is annoying when things like this happen isn't it.

littleorangecat22 · 05/10/2019 00:48

WOuld NOT be paying for that. I could do better myself and I can't paint.

Ellie56 · 05/10/2019 01:00

That is a seriously shite job OP. I've just finished our hall and landing and my painting is way better than that.

He can't be a professional surely?

PickedByYou · 05/10/2019 01:14

I’d take more photos first, so you have a really good record of what he has done.

You need quotes on getting the gloss redone before deciding how much you will pay him. I suspect it might work out as nothing. I’d get a couple of quotes and I’d make sure I have them in writing.

It’s really terrible painting.

Mumtoaperfectbabyboy · 05/10/2019 06:26

YANBU. Ditto what everyone else has been saying, don't pay him, get someone out to quote you how much it'll cost and pay him the difference if there is any. And definitely get him to take the pictures of your previous work down and if he refuses, post the pictures of his actual work... People who do stuff like this really grate on me! I doubt he'd have decorated his own house like that, why is it acceptable to do it in someone else's and charge them for the pleasure!!

wibdib · 05/10/2019 07:09

When you take photos to show how bad it is make sure that you take video as well.

I know it sounds silly but people often just take photos - which are great, don’t get me wrong, but wideo can really add to it as they can’t say that you chose special angles etc - it’s really there. You can talk as you do it - don’t hold back on the emotion. And go upstairs to compare it to the work you’ve done.

Maybe get someone else to do the camera while you talk so they can get up close. Remember to include you gently running your finger over it and describing how it feels (plenty of adjectives so they really get the picture) and then a similar thing on your painting emphasising the soft silky smooth flat plain -ness of it all. Point out that he does know the difference between good and bad painting because he did a good job on the walls and took pics of your good paintwork for his website - he would have put his own up if it was good enough. And then show the relevant bit on the website. (Likewise make sure you have decent screenshots as pictures too).

Good luck.

ibanez0815 · 05/10/2019 07:13

pay him for the walls, not for the rest.

FreshwaterBay · 05/10/2019 07:22

Tell him you are happy to submit to legal arbitration.

PrettyPurse · 05/10/2019 07:32

@123Holly what are you going to do?

GreenItWas · 05/10/2019 07:48

There's paint on the carpet too isn't there.

I would tell him you have taken extensive photogrpahs and you are willing to go to court over it. Pay him for the walls minus the time it takes you to sand the timber down and minus the cost of the paint for the timber he is no doubt charging you for.
I think I would give him £200 and if he demands anything more I would tell him to take me to court for the rest.
My 8yo nephew could do a better job.

PhilCornwall1 · 05/10/2019 07:54

DH doesn’t even want to have him back to come fix it, and just lay him!

Hubbys going to lay him??? Shock

Seriously, I wouldn't be paying the full amount. If the non-woodwork side is ok, pay him for that, but not the rest.

He couldn't even be bothered to take the door handle off, and that takes no time. And as for prepping the wood, not a chance.

GreenItWas · 05/10/2019 08:03

Actually yes, I agree with a PP. Get an actual professional in and deduct that fee from this cowboys money but take photos and video first.

Be prepared to go to court. You will have a fun day. You must also not let the FB thing go unchallenged.

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 05/10/2019 08:11

That's horrendous, my 15yo DD did a better job than that on our landing woodwork. Definitely don't pay a penny!

GreenItWas · 05/10/2019 08:11

Get shots of the FB bullshit too and tell him that will be exhibit A.

Joans3rddaughter · 05/10/2019 08:20

I would tell him you will pay him £200 and that includes VAT snd rhat you wsnt s receipt. Tell him that you expect him to remove the pictures from facebook. He may not be VAT registered but words like tax, VAT, National Insurance might make him see sense.

Sewrainbow · 05/10/2019 08:46

We had a poor job done once, but no way near as bad as that, had replaced a window as well, so we paid for that but nothing else. Still got the bloody paint on the carpet to remind me. I agree take off the money for the walls pay say about £100. Comment on his Facebook pictures with the ones you've posted here, a screen shot. Take more pictures and complain.

I can't bear that judge rinder show but it would be so tempting to go on there he'd get an absolute roasting from him!

Whatsername7 · 05/10/2019 08:54

He hasnt sanded or primed before he has glossed. The paintwork isn't just bad, its unfinished. Dont pay for the woodwork.

Beautiful3 · 05/10/2019 08:56

Think I would get someone else to redo it and knock their bill off his. That's the only way to do it really. I would explain this to him and get back to him.

Alwaysgrey · 05/10/2019 09:01

Utterly beyond dreadful! I wouldn’t pay him a penny. That work is awful.

Moondancer73 · 05/10/2019 09:17

No way I'd be paying even £450 for that, it's appalling.
As for the pictures of what you did that he's put on Facebook I'd add a review, post your pictures on his page - screen shot your review, he's bound to remove it fairly smartish but people have a right to know what his work is really like and have a heads up before they employ him too. £450 is far too much to pay for that standard of work.

HJWT · 05/10/2019 09:29

@123Holly Tell him he is lucky your not asking HIM for money, to replace your door handle AND carpet! He hasn't even put tape into the carpet to protect it! Think thats the worst paint job iv seen 🤦🏻‍♀️ id pay him for the walls and even then it would be hardly anything its probably going to cost you £100 in sanding paper 😂

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