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Would you be happy with this?

47 replies

KitchenReno · 11/06/2026 09:59

Had someone in yesterday to paint our kitchen cabinets. I've always wanted a pink kitchen and even though DH always does our DIY to a standard everyones always impressed with I really wanted to invest in this because its literally been something I've wanted for decades. So I thought I will get a professional in. Paid a lot of money (on a 0% cc so i can pay it off over the year)

Firstly in messages I specifically said moving the large appliances might be an issue because the kitchen is small and was told the only needed to move the slightly to paint down sides. So it was specifically mentioned about the sides being done and the quote includes 'all end panels'
Well the end panels either side of the dishwasher, oven and fridge have not been painted. They are the original wooden cllour still.
I did mention this right after he left and he did say he will come and do them. Ok but

We also had a couple of cupboards that have had steam damage from a kettle previously being there. I sent photos of this and was told that the laminate would be removed with a heat gun, sealed, painted and topcoated to match the other cupboards.

He has just painted over the bumpy laminate. Not removed it.

And then this is the 'high standard' of finish.

Also he put one set of handles on a cupboard that didn't have them put on and the mdf/paint chipped and he just left it like that, didn't touch up the paint.

I would like to point out that I didn't find this guy on FB (though they do have a fb page)
I found him theough google. Through a really professional website with lots and lots of pictures and reviews of massive fancy kitchens in huge houses. Its based in a very affluent/rich area and alongside all the blurb on the website about professional preparation, professional finishes, x amount of years experience I really thought it was going to be worth the money.
It paid in the 4 figures for it.

I just don't know what to do, I have really bad anxiety and I found it really hard to call and ask about the side panels not being painted and now I'm just feeling really upset and shit and embarrassed tbh.

And I'm upset that I convinced my husband to have it done 'professionally' rather than him doing it and now I see that he absolutely could have (and would have) done a better job that this.
The website is so focused on proper preparation and finsishes. My fella would never have left it streaky or left paint lines like that or painted over old silicone or cracked paint!

I feel like an idiot in all honesty, like I was sucked into this fancy website and paying for perfection when I could have spent £200 on supplies and DIYd it like we always do.

Would you be happy with this?
Would you be happy with this?
Would you be happy with this?
Would you be happy with this?
Would you be happy with this?
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Tumbler777 · 11/06/2026 14:06

He said he'd come back and bring everything up to standard. Why say no? Agree with him a list of the things to be fixed

He may fix it, which is good. If he doesn't then this is evidence for the credit card company that the work is substandard.

ThisRedStork · 11/06/2026 14:21

I don’t think you have much choice but to do what @Tumbler777 said.
Atleast that way you will have a chance of getting money back seeing as credit card companies give them the chance to rectify it

AgentPidge · 11/06/2026 14:29

I think you have to give him a chance to put it right before you start asking for a refund, however unlikely it is that he will do it to a good standard. Then credit card or small claims. Since it's stressful for you, can your DH deal with him instead?

I don't think they would normally paint the tops of cupboards.

KitchenReno · 11/06/2026 18:03

I have to give him credit. He has apologised profusely and issued a full refund. He still wanted to come back and make good on the work, even with the refund but I said it feel really unfair for him to have to lose another days work after providing a refund so declined that. But I have to say that I have been really impressed with his professionalism in listening and acknowledging that the work isn't up to his advertised standard and I never expected him to offer a complete refund.

My husband is going to do his best to rectify the issues and I think we are going to buy some high quality clearcoat for the top as I really don't think it would have stood the test of time in a busy family kitchen otherwise. A corner has already been chipped by the gas man moving the boiler cover.

I do feel quite bad as he obviously has integrity but at the end of the day I really don't think the work justified the cost and I didn't request a full refund, it was offered and I don't think anyone would turn it down in the circumstances.

OP posts:
youalright · 11/06/2026 18:06

Thats awful i could of done a better job then that and I'm not a painter and decorator. I love the pink.

ThisRedStork · 11/06/2026 18:07

KitchenReno · 11/06/2026 18:03

I have to give him credit. He has apologised profusely and issued a full refund. He still wanted to come back and make good on the work, even with the refund but I said it feel really unfair for him to have to lose another days work after providing a refund so declined that. But I have to say that I have been really impressed with his professionalism in listening and acknowledging that the work isn't up to his advertised standard and I never expected him to offer a complete refund.

My husband is going to do his best to rectify the issues and I think we are going to buy some high quality clearcoat for the top as I really don't think it would have stood the test of time in a busy family kitchen otherwise. A corner has already been chipped by the gas man moving the boiler cover.

I do feel quite bad as he obviously has integrity but at the end of the day I really don't think the work justified the cost and I didn't request a full refund, it was offered and I don't think anyone would turn it down in the circumstances.

That’s brilliant news !

ThisRedStork · 11/06/2026 18:08

Don’t feel bad , he did a shit job and clearly he knows he did too.

Pickledonions12 · 11/06/2026 18:13

Wow! Excellent news @KitchenReno

Alterthemind · 11/06/2026 18:14

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Alterthemind · 11/06/2026 18:15

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KitchenReno · 11/06/2026 18:38

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I don't think I would ever get my kitchen painted again 😅 but his response makes me think he is a genuine guy who cares about his business and reputation a lot and maybe had a bad day because the work just didn't tally up with the reviews he has. Then once I voiced the problems he couldn't have tried harder to rectify it.

OP posts:
Tumbler777 · 11/06/2026 19:09

Buy replacement doors? paint them before putting on the frames.

KitchenReno · 11/06/2026 19:21

Tumbler777 · 11/06/2026 19:09

Buy replacement doors? paint them before putting on the frames.

When I moved in the previous occupant designed the kitchen 2 different colours. The bases were a different colour to the doors.

I ordered a load of samples trying to get a cupboard door to match the bases so i could do that. But 1- I couldn't find a match, 2-I didn't really like the colour of the bases anyways so making it all that colour wouldn't have been my preference anyways.

Having the whole kitchen painted seemed like the best choice to update it a little.

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User22930 · 11/06/2026 20:01

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KitchenReno · 12/06/2026 07:10

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Over 1k and quote was done through photos, videos and confirmation on specific tasks via whatsapp. It's not unusual for quotes to be done that way now and I don't see what difference an in person quote would have made to the outcome of the work?

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Blondeshavemorefun · 12/06/2026 07:27

Well done for getting money back. Wondering if he is in Kent.

There’s a handyman man I know who has wonderful reviews on handyman stuff. I used him and did a good job fixing a shower

he quoted to paint but was 1500+ for 3 rooms and far too much for me so didn’t use him

so glad I didn’t use him to paint

but he had great reviews so how did he do such a crap job for my friend

Friend used him to paint and I could have painted it better and I can’t paint lol

limetrees32 · 12/06/2026 07:39

I'm so pleased for you .
I wonder what on earth happened to him that day ?
Could he have been unwell ?
I really like the colour by the way.

ShhhhhItsASurprise · 12/06/2026 07:43

Paid a lot of money

Upfront?! 🤦🏻‍♀️

ShhhhhItsASurprise · 12/06/2026 07:49

The first post clearly says credit card as does a later update from the OP. She has her money back now.

KitchenReno · 12/06/2026 08:01

You couldn't be more wrong.

Yes the booking was over whatsapp via videos and photographs but he works all over a large area and is booked each day. He would have driven over an hour to reach me, so how would that be feasible for him alongside actually completing work?
Technology and work practices move on with the times.

I paid a deposit at booking. Not the full amount.

I didn't pay cash, I paid on a credit card to protect myself.

And as soon as he realised I was not happy he practically begged to put it right and gave me a 100% refund and still wanted to come back and spend a day fixing the issues despite being in a deficit for the work as he wouldn't even deduct materials and petrol from the refund!

OP posts:
oliviaAustin · 12/06/2026 08:15

KitchenReno · 12/06/2026 08:01

You couldn't be more wrong.

Yes the booking was over whatsapp via videos and photographs but he works all over a large area and is booked each day. He would have driven over an hour to reach me, so how would that be feasible for him alongside actually completing work?
Technology and work practices move on with the times.

I paid a deposit at booking. Not the full amount.

I didn't pay cash, I paid on a credit card to protect myself.

And as soon as he realised I was not happy he practically begged to put it right and gave me a 100% refund and still wanted to come back and spend a day fixing the issues despite being in a deficit for the work as he wouldn't even deduct materials and petrol from the refund!

My roofer drove 90minutes to quote for my work. Tradies are used to travelling far for several thousands of pounds worth of work

KitchenReno · 12/06/2026 12:00

oliviaAustin · 12/06/2026 08:15

My roofer drove 90minutes to quote for my work. Tradies are used to travelling far for several thousands of pounds worth of work

Ok, but roofing is hardly the same is it?

I'm guessing he had to get up there to inspect the roof to see exactly what needed doing as its not something YOU could take pictures or advise him on. Its a huge structural job.

Its hardly the same as painting cupboards is it?

Lots of in person/face to face jobs have moved online, in part or fully. And lots of trades people have moved to giving quotes online via these means because of factors such as scheduling, petrol cost and convenience to the customer as well as themselves.

Having detailed pictures and videos of cupboard doors is sufficient to give a quote for a paint job.

I wouldn't dismiss someone as a cowboy just based on online quotes.

And yes his standard of work wasn't up to scratch but he absolutely wasn't a cowboy. If he was I would have been blocked 20 seconds after sending my message. Not offered a 100% refund AND a further day of work to correct.

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