Paid family member for painting and its awful

[Deleted User]

SILs father - he's done stuff for us before. He's semi-retired and works as a sort of handyman/decorator and he's cheap £50.

You have to watch him a bit because hes very quick to take money off you but, in terms of his work in the past its been OK. Not brilliant but you get what you pay for.

This time now. He charged us £200 for some painting. The whole team he just seemed in a rush to do it. When he'd finished we had a look and, to be honest, its awful. Its like a child has done it. There's parts of walls he's missed, sides of doors missed, paintwork where hes just obviously swept the brush over and then not checked, paint on the ceiling, other walls, over furniture, new wood flooring etc.

I know its cheap but its so bad we've now got to get someone else in the sort the mess out to the turn of £400. Our fault probably but its now going to cost more.

What can we do? Obviously, I can't have a go at SIL - its her Dad. I just feel the fella has made little effort and taken the money and run. Never again.

Kayalana99

Honestly? You knew what he was like and you should always get a quote before letting someone do a job - family or not that's just common sense.

I think you've dug your own grave here.

thorsoak

You pay peanuts ....you get monkeys!

browneyedbazzi

I agree with the poster above - I'd never have work done without getting a price up front and then I wouldn't pay until I've checked that the work has been done as agreed/to my satisfaction.

You could potentially go after him to have things put right, but going down that route is likely to cause friction in your family and might not be worth doing. The best course of action is probably to learn the lesson and move on.

koan_2

[quote=[Deleted User];discussion/4923326]SILs father - he's done stuff for us before. He's semi-retired and works as a sort of handyman/decorator and he's cheap £50.

You have to watch him a bit because hes very quick to take money off you but, in terms of his work in the past its been OK. Not brilliant but you get what you pay for.

This time now. He charged us £200 for some painting. The whole team he just seemed in a rush to do it. When he'd finished we had a look and, to be honest, its awful. Its like a child has done it. There's parts of walls he's missed, sides of doors missed, paintwork where hes just obviously swept the brush over and then not checked, paint on the ceiling, other walls, over furniture, new wood flooring etc.

I know its cheap but its so bad we've now got to get someone else in the sort the mess out to the turn of £400. Our fault probably but its now going to cost more.

What can we do? Obviously, I can't have a go at SIL - its her Dad. I just feel the fella has made little effort and taken the money and run. Never again.[/QUOTE]

Either ring him up and tell him, or just swallow it this time to keep the peace, and obviously don't use him again.

Never do business with family members, don't they say

[Deleted User]

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Honestly? You knew what he was like and you should always get a quote before letting someone do a job - family or not that's just common sense.

I think you've dug your own grave here.

Last time he did an acceptable job. At least as good as I could do which is all I wanted.

[Deleted User]

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

I agree with the poster above - I'd never have work done without getting a price up front and then I wouldn't pay until I've checked that the work has been done as agreed/to my satisfaction.

You could potentially go after him to have things put right, but going down that route is likely to cause friction in your family and might not be worth doing. The best course of action is probably to learn the lesson and move on.

As you say family complicates things. Anyone else I would have been onto them.

whodathunkit

[quote=[Deleted User];64993770]As you say family complicates things. Anyone else I would have been onto them.[/QUOTE]

But he isn't part of your family, is he?

[Deleted User]

whodathunkit wrote: »

But he isn't part of your family, is he?

Well no but I can't expect SIL to be stuck in the middle. She was the one who arranged it all.

Its not her fault after all.

FatVonD

Somebody's signature on here says something along the lines of 'if you think it's expensive to hire a professional just wait until you've tried the alternative', a lesson you've just learned, OP!

Georgiegirl256

Have you had the work redone already? If not, show the SIL Father the evidence of his shoddy work, he can't really deny it standing there looking at it with you can he? Then ask for a refund (if already paid), or refuse to pay (if you haven't), I would definetly make my feelings known.