Terrible decorator! Help!!!

[Monica53]

Hi
We've hired a decorator off a well known site, however as week as progressed what a sham..I've had to ask him to do another coat on walls as can see cutting in still! He states he has already done 2 coats, I questioned this as we've bought premium paint! Also he has got quite a bit of paint all over living room and staircase carpets! And painted doors without taking handles off!! Paint all over handle..and painted bannister without sanding and it's a real mess!..We haven't paid him yet! And only got someone in as I'm working full Time and my husband isn't in great health! I'm so annoyed and can't believe this is work of a supposed professional painter! Also we will have to get professional carpet cleaner to come into house and clean carpets plus another painter to rectify this mess! What do I do pay current painter a percentage or..? I'm so annoyed and frustrated with the state he's made! Oh also had all his stuff on my dining table and paint on that also. Help!

Don't pay him anything. But you need to stop him working and explain to him why. Put it all in writing to him and explain what is wrong, ie he hasn't prepared the surfaces properly.

Yes, I would say painting the bannister without sanding first is the worst offence - that paint is not going to stay on for long! You have to have him sand that off and start again. Or yes, don't pay him and get someone else to fix it...

Don’t make him fix it, get someone else. This will not get any better, honestly.
Oh, and don’t pay him a penny. He’s cost you money already in carpet cleaning costs and paint wastage.

Is he the company owner/manager. I'd have his boss come in to have a look and ask what they propose to do, as you won't be paying for it in this state.

I would ask him to stop today. Personally I would pay something if he has done work for you....where the 2 coats aren't enough have you changed colour drastically? As often you should do a coat of cheap white first, then do the 2 coats of colour. So it may not be his fault....I would pay for the days he has worked on this. As for the Bannisters why didn't you say something before he did them? - I might not pay for this. -- Did you get actual recommendations before he started or just off a web site? I would go with word of mouth next time. If a decorator is free and available immediately....be wary.

I am a professional painter and Decorator from more than 17 years now and have seen and done many projects so far.

First of all it is very important to note that in my offer it is clearly written how many coats, what kind of paint, what preparation and materials will be used. So said if you had a written offer which mentioned all the above and you agreed to it, there is no place for complain.

It's very hard to take a side and impossible to judge since we do not know all the details but I can say that painting doors without removing the handles is normal practice if it has not been offered to be done opposite. This means they have to be covered with masking tape and cleared after work completion.

In other words it's all about what the person have offered you, what we're your requirements and what you finally agreed to. You can not expect the painters to remove handles, sockets, radiators and so on without asking them to do so. If you do, the price for labour will be increased. For example removing radiators is a plumbing work and not every painter will take a responsibility for leaks if they ever occur after.

Not paying anything can make the things worst if you agreed to his written offer and he had followed what was offered. Well If you are not happy he may give you a discount or pay someone else to fix it.

All the best.
Zed / ZDpainters

Handles & sockets have always been removed by my decorators without asking them to do it. It should be part of a professional job.

I agree with @goingtotown. All decorators over the years have removed (or at least loosened) handles and loosened sockets and switches. The only thing we have had to do or get done is remove the radiator.

My neighbour had a so called professional decorator that painted their skirting boards without lifting the carpet around the edge is asking them to get it done!!

We recently had a decorator that didn't cover my floor tiles and splashed paint on them. Also the edges were badly painted. I paid £100 less. I think if I was painting my own house I would remove or loosen door handles before painting. Even the sloppy guy I had did that! I would also expect sanding, filling before decorating to ensure it's a smooth finish.