Painting job going on for 4+ weeks

[teoma]

Just this really. DH arranged for our flat to be repainted after some electric work was done. We have 5 rooms altogether plus a bathroom. The sanding and painting is taking more than 4 weeks, and I’m literally livid at the speed of work and the arrangements DH made. We have two young children and I work from home.

I didn’t book somewhere else to stay as DH ensured me we’d be fine within a week or so and it’s not easy to be away from home with 2 under 2.

DH says “it is what it is” but I’m on extremely angry and just wanted to leave today honestly. AIBU?

I feel your pain. We have a decorator in at the moment who is good, but very meticulous which means the pace is slow. If it's any consolation, ours would probably take 4+ weeks to do a job your size especially if there were a lot of prep involved - filling, sanding, etc.

But why would you have to stay elsewhere or be out of the house? In my experience, a decorator works room-by-room so it's just a matter of staying out of the particular room he's working in that day. Is that not achievable in your situation?

There also a question of cost. Are you paying your guy by the hour/day, or did you agree a flat rate for the job?

We’re paying by the day. I’m really exhausted of having dust and covers everywhere.

Feel your pain. We had builders who came to do a 8-10 week job and ended up taking 10 months. Granted we (the nation) got hit by COVID but they were still unbelievably slow. We ended up firing them. I would usually double any time estimate given but any longer is not ok.

This is why you shouldn’t pay by the day as they have no incentive to get a move on. Always get a firm quote for the entire job.

Great advice. Should OP use a phone box or a Delorean to go back and sort this?

Speak to the decorator and ask what his plan is as unfortunately 4 weeks is far too long, I'd not be accepting 'it is what it is' nonsense.

Perhaps the advice would be helpful to others? Just a thought.

Now you know the pace - negotiate a fixed price for the remainder of the job, or give them a budget to get some certainty

If you pay by the day no wonder the painter is so slow!! He should have been done weeks ago!!

I am so sorry OP. I know it is too late for you, but is a lesson for anyone reading this.
Always get a written quote for a job with a breakdown of what it entails and the cist of materials.
Pay in agreed installments.
Ask to see the company's insurance policy befire any work starts.
I am sorry, I don't think there is much you can do other than sack them and get someone else in to finish the job.

A month to paint a flat? Is he doing it with a toothbrush? Sounds like he is deliberately being slow to make more money. If you can afford it, fine, but I’d say he would have been done in a week if you’d be paying him by the job, not by the day.

I do painting myself (in my own home) as I am so fussy. For an average size room prep, plus sanding and then two coats including ceiling I would say takes me 2 days. I take lots of breaks and often don't do 'full day' as Im working or doing other stuff.

I would be thinking he is stretching it out as he gets a day rate.

It's painful having trades in. Is he doing a fantastic job?

He’s a good guy and has been working with the family for many years. Asked him to bring a colleague along so they can finish faster…..

They are piss taking. So, I’d be telling him that this day rate agreed is not working as expected because the pace isn’t anywhere near quick enough and a month later it is now becoming extremely disruptive and your allocated budget doesn’t accommodate this sort of slow progress. Tell them no more day rate: either they agree a fixed price to finish or you’ll need to find someone who will to pick up from here.

You’re being such a mug. Don’t ever use him again as he’s fleecing you.