Plasterer did a bad job- where do I stand?

ConfusedofYorkshire

Hi,

if this is the wrong place to post please redirect me.

We recently bought and a house and stripped the walls. We then got a plasterer in to smooth the walls.

They left plaster all over the doors, skirting board and windows. They left a couple of holes between the skirting boards and walls, they didn't make a smooth line between the wall and door frames so there are large amounts of plaster overlapping onto the door frame- which we have been chipping away at to make a straight line.

There are a couple of areas low down with no plaster at all. They also got lumps of plaster in other rooms which had been plastered by another company- we now have to sand the walls down in those rooms to get rid of the lumps.

So overall i think this is a pretty lousy job. we've had other rooms plastered by a different company and they left the rooms clean and tidy, and just comparing things like the door frames and the general finish- this is a poor job.

Where do i stand? can i refuse to pay? do i negotiate a new price? do i demand they come back and fix it?

any advice welcome.

mrcow

Call them first of all and show them what you are unhappy with. Then take it from there.

hcb42

I wouldnt pay and ask them to come back and fix it, and you will pay once it has been fixed.

TBagpuss

did you have any kind of written contract?

Norally, the first step would be to get them back, make clear you are not happy, and get them to complete the job to a reasonable standard.

If they don't or can't, then it would normally be reasonable to then get someone else in to complete the job. You ought not to be left out of pocket by their incompetent so in negotiating any reduction in price take into account what it will cost to correct the problem if they can't.

rosie383

Maybe this would be better in the 'In my home' DIY board. Hope you get it sorted.

G_M

Of course you don't pay.

You explain (initially by phone but follow up wih a letter) what aspects of the job you are dissatisfied with and get them to come back and finish the job/clean up.

If they refuse to do that, you wait for them to sue you for non-payment (if they do) and then counter-claim the costs of getting another contractor/builder in to finish their shoddy work.

But keep evidence! Take photos. Get the neighbour (or someone else independant) round as a witness who can if required (it's unlikely) stand up in court and confirm their work was unfinished/poor quality etc.

And keep copies of your letters (yes, letters) to them explaining what you want them to do and why.