Not happy with painter's job

Norman_Castle

cathy57 wrote: »

This is what is said in his last message :
"Unfortunately if you read the contract im in my rights.
if you look up builder rights any work completed unless stated finish in the contract I'm totally in my rights to undo any work I have not been paid for.
I'm coming to collect my tools and the final payment tomorrow."

That sounds a bit threatening to me. You're clearly worried about him entering uninvited hence the lock change or being aggresive towards you. I would consider calling the police on their non emergency number for advice. Whatever the dispute is over work done and payment made he needs to make his claim legally and not in this way.

Record any further interaction with him and take multiple pictures of the poor workmanship and damaged carpet.

Consider a counter claim for the damaged carpet.

Icecannon

I wouldn't leave his stuff outside as if it goes missing, you could be blamed as it's not taking reasonable care.

I would leave them with a friend, police.

Worth ringing the police and they could give you an option, as he seems he really wants in to remove the paint and it could get nasty.

scd3scd4

Icecannon wrote: »

I wouldn't leave his stuff outside as if it goes missing, you could be blamed as it's not taking reasonable care.

I would leave them with a friend, police.

Worth ringing the police and they could give you an option, as he seems he really wants in to remove the paint and it could get nasty.

You are not under obligation to store his equipment. If a neighbours wants to hold onto it fine. If not then providing you have given fair notice. Then that is sufficient.


Give a time........................"Your equipment will be in my back garden for collection from 10 am today. I wont be in or available".


Job done.

cathy57

I can't ask any neighbours to hold his tools and they can only be left in the front garden,where indeed they could be stolen or he could even pretend they were not there.
I am indeed a bit concerned as the tone of his messages is rather on the threatening side,therefore I will call the police as suggested by Icecannon and see what they have to say.Many thanks for your help.

dacouch

You do realise that he was not in casualty with a swollen ankle.

Ash_Mc

cathy57 wrote: »

I can't ask any neighbours to hold his tools and they can only be left in the front garden,where indeed they could be stolen or he could even pretend they were not there.
I am indeed a bit concerned as the tone of his messages is rather on the threatening side,therefore I will call the police as suggested by Icecannon and see what they have to say.Many thanks for your help.

You say he was recommended to you by an acquaintance - is it possible for you to return his tools to him through them? This would also make them think twice about recommending him in future.

macman

He can't rely on his rights under 'any builder's contract', unless that was the contract you agreed!

Laz123

I used to do painting and decorating many moons ago. If a room is empty it only takes a day and a half to do one room. The first thing you do is lay down proper dust sheets that can soak up any drips or splashes. Then you clean the surfaces to be painted unless any sanding is needed. Then you roller the ceiling if required. Then you roller the walls and do any cutting in before or after rollering. Then you can use a self undercoating gloss for the woodwork.

You're dealing with someone who has little experience and is probably on the UB40 and working on the side. He has no rights. He can't undo his work. If he tries to you can get him arrested.

£550 sounds too steep, but without knowing the full amount of work involved.

He hasn't finished on the specified timescale and has given excuses. Unless bones are broken you can still work okay.

You've paid him just over £300. Tell him to pick up his stuff on a specific day and time and leave it outside. Don't answer the door. If he threatens call the police.

Get another painter.

cathy57

Thank you all for your help.Laz123,the box room was empty and the bigger bedroom had just a bed and a couple of bedside tables.He only needed to sand down the woodwork such as the doors,fitted wardrobe doors and a few shelves.The walls have anaglypta wallpaper and just needed to be painted.If I could post a few pictures,you would be horrified !
After thinking all night about what to do,I am going to follow your advice and tell him to pick up his stuff (a tray,a couple of paint brushes and roller and a hoover) in the front garden at a specific time.Hopefully,it will go as planned and I won't hear from him again.Thanks again.

Icecannon

scd3scd4 wrote: »

You are not under obligation to store his equipment. If a neighbours wants to hold onto it fine. If not then providing you have given fair notice. Then that is sufficient.


Give a time........................"Your equipment will be in my back garden for collection from 10 am today. I wont be in or available".


Job done.

if the workman had been leaving the equipment whilst he was working then the op has given permission for the stuff to be there, they then have a reasonablity to take care of it, why cause more trouble by giving the workman another route to cause trouble, all,he has to do is say the op left his stuff outside to get nicked, giving a time to pick up the stuff from outside, would not imo be reasonable.