Decorator didn't use mist coat on new plaster...wwyd?

[Dondrapersfavouritechick]

We had a house renovated while we lived elsewhere by a very good firm of builders (recommended by two chartered surveyors). I'm happy with the work, except the decoration. (they provided all services as part of the contract)

Apart from the decorator being a patronising dickhead when i met him, it would appear - now we're in - he didn't use a mistcoat over the new plaster. Everywhere is freshly plastered.

I can tell this because where the wall has been knocked, the paint comes off in flakes and I can see pinky brown wall. And on the ceiling too.

WWYD? On one hand, we'll have to repaint again in a couple of years because of all the new plaster cracks. Plus, annoyingly, the boss of the building firm's daughter is the manager of the nursery where I'm sending DS in September (total coincidence) and I obviously don't want to soil that situation.

But it annoys me that it was a shabby job. It wasn't a cheap renovation. I did point out that I thought decoration finish wasn't nearly as good as I'd hoped at the time, but this was for picky stuff, not something like this.

Thanks

ask for a Snagging meeting onsite. If you can get one of the architects in to fight your corner, that will help. Builders tend to assume that they will get called back to rectify something, they just don't know in advance what you will notice and what they will get away with.

Thanks Piglet John. That's good advice.

What could I expect them to do/rectify? The whole house has been painted without a mistcoat!

They'll most likely offer to patch up the bits that have come off

It will be a lot of (dusty) work to strip it all off and start again, and they might claim (1) yes they did or (2) no need. If you can prove they didn't, and it is in the work spec, it will be harder for them to wriggle out of.

I usually say, with paint, rub off what comes off easily; if it doesn't come off easily it's OK to repaint over.

It is likely that the decorator is a subcontractor rather than being "one of the builders". This makes little difference to you, but it might explain why his work stands out as being poorer than the rest. There is a chance he has not worked for them much/before.

If you have used architects let them sort out the snagging for you. If not you will have to tackle this yourself. It's just that i don't know how it can be remedied simply. It certainly can't be left in damp areas like bathrooms & kitchens as the paint will peel off over time - i spent a miserable once steaming emulsion off a bathroom.ceiling that had gone without a miss coat after a couple of failed repaints....

Maybe press for a complete strip but be ok with patching up as said above and only full strip in damp areas?

Annoyed for you!