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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think he was mugging us off?

16 replies

somethingdifferent1 · 16/04/2023 14:22

Had a painter/decorator come round to give us a quote to paint the landing as we just can't find the time or motivation to do it ourselves. It's approximately 2x3m, and we only want the top half of the walls doing as opposed to the whole thing (the line doesn't have to be neat as it's going to be panelled over the top).

The guy clearly assumed we meant paint the whole space initially, because his tone of voice and the look on his face changed into a sort of smug expression when we clarified no ceilings, no woodwork, literally just walls. Oh, and we're supplying the paint.

He wanted £180 (i.e. 9 hours work). We then asked how much it would be to touch up the not-so-neat bits where we'd caught the ceiling doing downstairs. He wanted another £20 for that.

DH was very happy with this and agreed on the spot that we would go with him. After he left I said surely you see that's not 10 hours work. DH thinks it was reasonable whereas evidently, I don't...

OP posts:
juls1888 · 16/04/2023 14:25

For any tradesmen you aren't just paying an hourly rate, you are paying for their time served, experience, insurance, vehicle, tools etc. Would you critique your solicitor or accountant charging structure in the same way as you are this painter and decorator?

WhyCantYourPartnerDoIt · 16/04/2023 14:28

Setup, taping, drop clothing, priming, two coats - for an area you can’t find time to do your self.

180 is a fucking bargain.

AlwaysGinPlease · 16/04/2023 14:28

Are you kidding? That's £20 an hour. Absolute bargain!

AcrobaticCardigan · 16/04/2023 14:29

How much were you expecting to pay?

Nismet · 16/04/2023 14:30

A big chunk of the time of a decorator is the prep. Necessary so that the paint stays stuck.

I think you'll have trouble getting anyone to turn up for less than that.

Albiboba · 16/04/2023 14:30

You’ll pay a day rate though. He’s hardly going to charge a different amount for 6hrs vs 9. It’s not like he can easily slot in 3 hours work for someone else.

rebeccachoc · 16/04/2023 14:31

Very reasonable price from my experience.

Skankylanky · 16/04/2023 14:31

£180 sounds great, you'd pay £300 odd around here.

Aquamarine1029 · 16/04/2023 14:31

You're upset about paying £200 for something you're too lazy to do yourself? You think he should work for free?

Ponoka7 · 16/04/2023 14:32

I'd pay that if I could find anyone with availability before autumn. Someone self employed needs to earn at least £100 a day. They'll settle for that if it's a few days work.

FawnFrenchieMum · 16/04/2023 14:33

Sounds like a bargain to me. You’re lucky that he even entertained tidying up your work. DH (25 years + decorator) will not touch anything that someone else has started.

CleaningOutMyCloset · 16/04/2023 14:38

£209 for a days work and to fix mistakes (the touch up) I think is pretty good

mrsm43s · 16/04/2023 14:59

Blimey, that's cheap as chips. £250-300 day rate for decorators round here. They also have massive waiting lists at present. I'd snap someone's hand off who would do that for £180!

theGooHasGone · 16/04/2023 15:03

You aren't willing to do it yourself, but complaining about paying someone £200 to have it done? 🙄

Pashy · 16/04/2023 15:05

You’re lucky to find someone who’ll do such a small job.

He has to charge you for a full day to cover the other jobs he’d have turned down.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 16/04/2023 15:09

Yes its a very good rate and as a PP says he was always going to charge for a full day.

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