External painting of windows

never_enough

I've just had a quote from a local painter to paint the outside of four triple windows & one single window (each one being approx 23" x 63")
plus the surround only (not actual door) of garage door. To sand, undercoat, then gloss he's quoted £520. I have no idea if that's reasonable, I just know I can't do it! He's the only one that has come around & he can do the work early Oct. My real worry is that he painted them for the previous owners & I wasn't too impressed with the finish, although to be fair they were last done 6 years ago. He has said that because the paint has flaked off in some areas down to the wood & that is now quite rough he wont be able to get them looking perfect. Should I go with him or leave it until I can get someone else in the Spring? Any thoughts? I'm near Newmarket.

ericthekidstoner

the way I'd recommend you approach it is to rate it by days work... as a rule of thumb I wouldn't pay a decorator over £100 a day (I'd be better off doing it myself, which I appreciate you can't do on this occasion. even so, >£100 a day is pretty steep bearing in mind that this is cash in hand job!).

imho 4 windows for £520 is steep... £130 per window?!!!

I had all my windows done by a friend's son who's at uni. did an ok job. took him 3.5 days and I paid him £250. I got him a tin of paint and a ladder.

I'm sure you should be able to find someone cheaper. Always get references!

bootman

A friend of mine says he works on a figure of around £50 a window.

never_enough

Have found someone who will do it for £350, but he can't do it until end of May. Am much happier with that price & *apparently* the windows wont fall out in the meantime!

Gambler

We got somebosy round to quote for 'touching up' our windows. We're looking to move so just want them looking tidy really.

If we were planning to stay longer I'd probably get UPVC fitted.

Just had the quote now:

7 windows, 1 bat window, all soffits and fascias, gable ends to house and garage and rear door.

Clear debris from guttering and clean all guttering.


£1492.25 inc VAT !!!!

THink I'll get a brush and ladder and have a go myself !

a-builder-A1

to paint the outside of four triple windows & one single window (each one being approx 23" x 63")
plus the surround only (not actual door) of garage door. To sand, undercoat, then gloss he's quoted £520.
5 windows to prepare and knot fill and prime....1st day
" " sand dust and undercoat....2nd day
" " dust and gloss, reload van with steps tools etc final day.
= 3 days labour £450
+ materials £50
+ gamble on weather £50
suggest you buy the paint ICI dulux, the filler and the knotting and primer.
offer him £100 per day he works and guarantee him you will pay him even if it rains and he cant work, or get someone from the black economy to mess it up for £40 per day taking a chance to get some beer money.
If your man is a real business, insured for third party losses, pays his income tax, uses good quality materials I think his price is reasonable.

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/abuildera1/myhomepage/business.html

davethedecorator

couldn't agree with you more there a-builder, @ Eric, not at one point does the original poster in this thread mention it is a "cash in hand" job. Not all decorators are cowboys and claiming benefits at the same time or are students or immigrants earning a quick buck! "most of us" have tax, NI contributions to pay, liability insurances, advertising costs and other general business expenses (I could list plenty more)

That price sounds more than reasonable to me considering the amount of preparation work involved. There are times when you have to decide between cost or quality!

Gambler

Gambler wrote:

We got somebosy round to quote for 'touching up' our windows. We're looking to move so just want them looking tidy really.

If we were planning to stay longer I'd probably get UPVC fitted.

Just had the quote now:

7 windows, 1 bat window, all soffits and fascias, gable ends to house and garage and rear door.

Clear debris from guttering and clean all guttering.


£1492.25 inc VAT !!!!

THink I'll get a brush and ladder and have a go myself !

Had a second quote for £750!