Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask decorator to replace shoes they got paint on?

60 replies

WoodlandsMum22 · 28/02/2023 14:45

So I'm really not sure if this is my fault or the decorators.
We have been having all the woodwork redone in white gloss. My friend and I came home whilst he was here and left our shoes in the hall, didn't think about it, was trying to get the toddler through to the kitchen and out of the way. We then went to go out and realised there are white specks of gloss paint all over our shoes, my pair are suede deck shoes, my friends are patent black boots. As its oil based we can't get it out so they are ruined. I showed them to the decorator and he said he didn't see them. His answer was white spirit, I said best not because of the suede and patent. So my question is, it is unreasonable to expect him to replace them, as he should have taken care when decorating, or is it our fault for leaving them out? He wasnt painting in the hall when we got back, he moved into there later on.

Please don't be harsh, I genuinely am not sure what to do! I have rang timpsons who said the marks will never come out.

OP posts:
Original poster
WoodlandsMum22 · 28/02/2023 15:51

Thank you for all the replies! To the rude people, kindly do one, as it's not appreciated. I'm not in the decorating trade, how would I know what is expected?

To the not rude people, thank you. My gut was it was my fault but my friend firmly believes it was the decorators fault hence my uncertainty. They were in the middle of the hall way and he would have had to step over them so I don't believe he didn't see them, but I do accept its my fault for leaving them there.

On a side note he didn't cover any items in the house and has got paint plats on the floors also, and wooden thresholds. He was only using a brush not a roller so maybe didn't think the paint would splat?

Anyway, won't be pursuing him about it, or using him again. He already creeped me out today when he responded "you're a good girl😉" when I text him saying I had left things out for him to make a tea. Yuck!

OP posts:
Original poster
WoodlandsMum22 · 28/02/2023 15:53

maddy68 · 28/02/2023 15:48

Then you have a case. He should have covered the floor. You were idiotic to leave shoes where he was painting but the floor shouldn't have paint on. He needs to remove those specs before he leaves. That will come off with white spirit though

Show quote history

Yeah I figured I can clean the floor and thresholds easily (they are varnished) so wasn't really worried about them!

OP posts:
IglesiasPiggl · 28/02/2023 15:56

The first rule of having your house decorated is move anything precious as far away as possible. You absolutely cannot expect the docorator to pay for this.

Original poster
WoodlandsMum22 · 28/02/2023 15:58

IglesiasPiggl · 28/02/2023 15:56

The first rule of having your house decorated is move anything precious as far away as possible. You absolutely cannot expect the docorator to pay for this.

As I've said above, I'm not going to pursue it. I can't move the floors out of the way though can I, which he also got paint on. So I think generally he is a bit careless and won't use him again.

OP posts:
ShutUpBaggyTits · 28/02/2023 15:59

You shouldn't have left your shoes there.

However, I can't fathom how he didn't see them if they were close enough to get paint on. Also why did he flick paint everywhere? I do a lot of decorating and when doing woodwork, I'm very careful and there's barely anywhere that has paint on that shouldn't. As a professional, I would expect him to cover everywhere and work in a much more tidy way.

Are you happy with his work?

I'd definitely be moaning about this.

Bekindbekind · 28/02/2023 16:03

I’m not sure what type of contents insurance you have but it would be worth checking with them whether you can claim (and whether it’s worth doing so of course).

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 28/02/2023 16:03

He should have covered floors and doorframes and should be responsible for cleaning them if needed - but I think stuff you chose to leave on the floor is on you, really.

You knew you had a decorator in and chose to leave your shoes out anyway - that's not really his fault, especially if he'd already started when you came in.

DH is a plasterer and will cover furniture and floors but he's not responsible for stuff people choose to leave lying around once he's started.

AllWorkYoPlait · 28/02/2023 16:03

I'd say your fault.

Take them to Timpsons and see what they suggest. Or google how to remove oil based paint from suede/patent. They may well be salvageable.

WinterMusings · 28/02/2023 16:04

Viviennemary · 28/02/2023 15:22

No. The shoes should have been put away.

@Viviennemary

Do all your friends have a shoe place at your house?

🐸

taxguru · 28/02/2023 16:16

You've learned a harsh lesson that you have to cover everything that can't be moved and move anything than can be moved before you let any kind of tradesman in your home. We spend ages beforehand putting our own cover cloths down and removing anything that moves. Most simply don't give a toss about your home and belongings and if you don't take precautions, most of them will only pay lip-service to make it look like they give a toss, when really they don't! We've learned the hard way unfortunately.

Littleflowerseverywhere · 28/02/2023 16:20

the stuff you read on here. Aye, it’s his fault you took your shoes off and put them in harms way. 😂

TempName247 · 28/02/2023 16:32

Have you tried picking the specks off, especially the patent ones I would have thought you could

pattihews · 28/02/2023 16:57

Modern gloss isn't oil-based, so try just washing the splashes off with water.

Were the floors covered in dust-sheets or a protective layer? If not, he'll have left splashes on the floor and that's not acceptable.

But basically, yes — if you left your shoes in an area where painting was going on you have to take some responsibility for what happens.

afinishedkiss · 28/02/2023 17:17

You left them in the MIDDLE of the floor in the hall where he had to step over them?? He could have tripped over them and spray painted your whole hall and floor. Really stupid thing to do.

Original poster
WoodlandsMum22 · 28/02/2023 17:25

Really wish people would read all OP comments before posting their own comments 😂

No he did not cover the floors so yes they now have specs on.

They were left in the middle as I took them off whilst carrying my toddler and trying to avoid getting paint on us from the frames (ironic I know). Silly place to leave them but surely this makes it more obvious to him that they were there? Also not sure it's relevant but had just returned from a breast screening appointment about a lump, thank fully it is nothing, but that was rather playing on my mind. Also suffering morning sickness so just generally not myself. I like to think I wouldn't normally do something so thoughtless!

Yes he also could have tripped over them but as he already had paint tins on the floor he would surely be looking where he was going.

I have already googled and called timpsons, basically can't be saved. My friend is going to try soapy water and a soft nail brush on hers when she gets home.

And finally I have already said I WILL NOT PURSUE THIS 😅 and have accepted it was my fault for leaving them out.

OP posts:
Btjdkfnn · 28/02/2023 17:32

Bit of both I think.
I always cover/move everything now as I’ve had stuff wrecked over the years.
Also, he sounds a bit rubbish if he doesn’t really look or care what’s around him and wrecks 2 pairs of shoes.

pattihews · 28/02/2023 17:53

He should have covered the floors. Painters usually use dust sheets or, when doing skirting boards, cardboard with masking tape along the bottom of the floorboards. Lazy git by the sound of it.

If the paint just washes off the floor where it's splashed it should peel off the shoes or come off with a rub with a damp cloth.

Littleflowerseverywhere · 28/02/2023 17:55

The issue isn’t you were thoughtless op. We all do stuff like that.

the issue is on discussion and consideration, you’d both decided it’s not your fault.

Original poster
WoodlandsMum22 · 28/02/2023 20:20

Shoes definitely wrecked unfortunately, he should have been more careful but he was also cheap so, get what you pay for! Lesson learnt!

OP posts:
Timesawastin · 28/02/2023 20:45

AllWorkYoPlait · 28/02/2023 16:03

I'd say your fault.

Take them to Timpsons and see what they suggest. Or google how to remove oil based paint from suede/patent. They may well be salvageable.

Try Swarfega

angelikacpickles · 28/02/2023 20:48

Did you try white spirit on them? If they are ruined anyway, you have nothing to lose by trying it.

Mamette · 28/02/2023 20:50

Are you sure it’s oil based? Most of the gloss paint is water based now, because of VOC rules.

Mamette · 28/02/2023 20:51

For the suede I’d let it fully dry and then try brushing it off. You could probably wash it off the patent.

ArcticSkewer · 28/02/2023 20:56

I'd have expected him to put dustsheets down to protect the floor. Is he any good at his job? Or just someone who picked up a paintbrush for ££?

If you'd put your shoes on top of his dustsheets, fair enough, your fault, but he sounds pretty slapdash

saraclara · 28/02/2023 20:59

I've never had a decorator not cover the floor with dust sheets. Even if using emulsion paint. Madness not to when using gloss.

I'm really surprised at the way this thread has gone. Of course you cover surfaces when decorating.

Swipe left for the next trending thread