Handy man/decorator quite vs estimate where do I stand?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Nearly £20 an hour (assuming 8 hours a day) doesn't sound too cheap to me, i.e it's enough to pay someone to do a decent job, so your bill is around £2000?

9abby

Yes I agree, I had carpenters in my living room and as professionals they were charging 150 per day. So, for that price I was expecting a professional job. Total bill is 2250 plus around 450 in parts which he has bought and I need to reimburse him for.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Try to look at it from an objective view rather than an emotional one and make him an offer of at least something, if he does go to court refusing to pay anything at all won't look good on your part.

Put something in writing with the above information from the Consumer Rights Act about the job being required to be done with reasonable care and skill, send the photos of why you aren't happy (the more the better if there are other rooms) and advise that as he told you he couldn't complete the job because the time has elapsed you feel waiting longer would cause you significant inconvenience and a price reduction is appropriate.

Detail the materials you feel were wasted, detail the work not finished and that which had to be redone and give him an offer for the rest (sounds like it won't be much!), advising you are happy to go to small claims if he doesn't accept.

Worth noting he'll have to spend time taking you to court and he won't be awarded £150 a day wages for his time, costs in small claims are very limited.

If you can get some other people to quote job to back up your offer all the better.

9abby

Thanks again,

I've done just that. I sent an email with references to the legislation you sent me I have also sent him all the images I could and a covering note explaining my possition. I had received a reminder from him to pay as he had Bill's himself that would need paying for things like credit card purchases for materials he said so, to save things getting complicated I have also sent him what I believe to be a fair amount. I have simply given him half of the materials cost because I had to buy the same materials again to compete his work. I have also paid his bill less the 4 days I took off work (charged at his rate of 150 per day)
I believe this is fair and will have to accept the fact that i may have to p to court to justify this. I'll let you know what he says.

Thanks again for your help

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

9abby wrote: »

I have also sent him what I believe to be a fair amount. I have simply given him half of the materials cost because I had to buy the same materials again to compete his work. I have also paid his bill less the 4 days I took off work (charged at his rate of 150 per day)
I believe this is fair

No trouble and sounds more than fair to me, he'd be foolish to push for more via small claims.

Jumblebumble

pinkshoes wrote: »

When you asked for the quote, was this in writing?

Given he came round to price the job up, then either there was a huge problem that prevented him completing half the work, or he is completely incompetent!

May I ask if you changed any of the specifications once the job had started?

9abby

Hi, Jumblebumble,

No not at all, the jobs that required doing at survey stage are the jobs that were required 6 weeks after when he arrived. There were actually less jobs as I had done some myself whilst waiting.

Airkraft

9abby wrote: »

Thanks so much for advice on how to post pics. It took me a while but here are some examples (there are more if anyone needs to see them.
Some images of the work he did and later, the work I did to put it right.

Thanks again for your comments so far everyone. It's been really helpful to get your advice which is much appreciated.

This is the caulk line to window sill, no prep to woodwork https://postimg.cc/PC4jw0qP

This is how painting was finished no prep, painting arround old curtain holder that was coming down anyway. https://postimg.cc/6TmT72mD

Painting arround a redundant vent in chimney breast. https://postimg.cc/fJ74G1mB

Painting over screw holes and other holes. No prep. https://postimg.cc/VdPQHzrJ


Creases in lining paper, no caulk lines where fire surround meets wall. https://postimg.cc/tshgmr4j

No prep whatsoever simply painted the wall with no eye for the finish. https://postimg.cc/2qSfFTqT

Painted over bad wall repair, paint already lifting at corner. https://postimg.cc/JtGzW7zK

Creases in lining paper. https://postimg.cc/JyMhwbsB

This was an old cupboard frame which had doors I asked him to remove all frame and put in some simple shelves. He left it like this I have no idea (even if I where to keep the frame) quite how the woodwork could be filled prepped and sanded without damaging the painting to the walls. https://postimg.cc/JyMhwbsB


Simply painted the entire loft hatch, in situe with ceiling emultion leaving huge drips on corners. https://postimg.cc/dLZ3GQMD

No prep to woodwork 1 https://postimg.cc/xXrC5rY5


No prep to woodwork 2 https://postimg.cc/23brKH0K

No prep to woodwork 3 https://postimg.cc/vxVyxB1s

Wood panelling that already had flaking paint has simply been painted over so paint peels off. https://postimg.cc/d76VJLCN

Painted over already flaking paint with no prep. https://postimg.cc/z36XDmLN

Paint lifting after his paint job. https://postimg.cc/2b3rmTr3


This is me removing all lining paper and repairing walls. Removing old cupboard frame to add shelves, prepping paint work and generally putting right the bad job I was left with. https://postimg.cc/CBRhgYVW

Painting over holes no prep https://postimg.cc/VdPQHzrJ

No call, filler or prep off any sort. Painting over old nails. https://postimg.cc/2bPRYD0X

This is another wall, lining paper removed by me to prep wall properly. Redundant chimney vent removed and patched up for painting.
https://postimg.cc/0625VDX5

Finished by me, this is the area where he had painted arround the redundant curtain holder. https://postimg.cc/Tpb2pkmD

Finished by me. This is the area with the surface mounted socket and cabling. Cabling removed and socket relocated and fitted flush. Woodwork preped, wall repaired and both painted to a better finish. https://postimg.cc/Y49Jm9Vs

Finished by me. Thus is the area (right hand wall of cupboard) where he had painted over flaking paint. I removed his paint and the old paint by sanding, took me just 45 minutes. I fitted a desk and ran in new light and switch. https://postimg.cc/vDJbFWjH

Finished by me. This is the desk area of my sons room with walls and all woodwork prepped and painted. https://postimg.cc/bDFY2W3Q

Finished by me. Removed lining paper, repaired wall, preped all areas and painted fire place. https://postimg.cc/DS2Vn5cF


Thus is the finished room. It took me 3 and a half days to undo what he did and put it right. When he left it the way he had, he had been in there for 2 days. https://postimg.cc/sMKkXSnW

What references did you take out prior to instructing this handyman/painter/decorator??

Why did you continue to allow him to work on your property despite finding his work unstaisfactory???

You seem to suggest you have paid at least one of his invoices, and indicate you have failed to pay the last 2 invoices. I understand he was allowed to remain working at your place for THREE weeks.

Why??? Did you not check the quality of the work as it was being done???

Airkraft

9abby wrote: »

... I have also paid his bill less the 4 days I took off work (charged at his rate of 150 per day)
...

So you seem to be admitting now that the original the contract was indeed based upon an hourly (or daily) rate, as suggested by a previous poster

Airkraft

9abby wrote: »

Hi, Jumblebumble,

No not at all, the jobs that required doing at survey stage are the jobs that were required 6 weeks after when he arrived. There were actually less jobs as I had done some myself whilst waiting.

Again, evidence to support the suggestion that the original contract was based upon an hourly/daily rate, not to complete specific work.