Terrible decorator! Help!!!

Monica18

We've hired a decorator off a well known site, however as week as progressed what a sham..I've had to ask him to do another coat on walls as can see cutting in still! He states he has already done 2 coats, I questioned this as we've bought premium paint! Also he has got quite a bit of paint all over living room and staircase carpets! And painted doors without taking handles off!! Paint all over handle..and painted bannister without sanding and it's a real mess!..We haven't paid him yet! And only got someone in as I'm working full Time and my husband isn't in great health! I'm so annoyed and can't believe this is work of a supposed professional painter! Also we will have to get professional carpet cleaner to come into house and clean carpets plus another painter to rectify this mess! What do I do pay current painter a percentage or..? I'm so annoyed and frustrated with the state he's made! Oh also had all his stuff on my dining table and paint on that also. Help:embarasse:embarasse

Fire_Fox

What level of detail was in the initial quotation (responsibility for preparation, lifting or protecting flooring)?

You should communicate with the decorator - e-mail or letter, also take plenty of dated photographs for your own records - and give him the opportunity to rectify all the problems.

missile

Sounds like a one man band cowboy? If his work is that bad, I would ask him to leave. I would put it down to experience and pay him whatever you agreed.
Next time, ask your neighbours for recommendation / use a reputable firm.

Jonah01

Surely paying these cowboys just encourages them.

By all means put it down to experience but I wouldn't be parting with any money if the quality of his work was below poor.

Send him an email stating the problems and give him a chance to rectify. Could always state that payment will be made once all sorted out.

Chances are you won't hear from him again

Just my opinion of course.

Aylesbury_Duck

What's the "well known site" you hired him from? Don't tell me it's Facebook.

Grenage

Money down says it's check-a-trade or trusted-trader; those sites of full of liabilities.

aliby21

Fire_Fox wrote: »

What level of detail was in the initial quotation (responsibility for preparation, lifting or protecting flooring)?

Good lord is this really the level of competence of tradespeople these days? that a professional decorator will consider it normal working practice to get paint over floorings and furnishings unless it is spelt out in advance that it is their responsibility not to :eek:

Belenus

I feel for you Monica as we had a not dissimilar problem many years ago and had to sack a useless decorator.

If you live in Sussex or West Kent I might be able to put you in touch with a decorator who did a first class job on our entire house a couple of years ago.

He took great pride in his work and did a truly excellent job on walls, ceilings and woodwork.

He protected all our carpets and floors properly. He removed all door furniture etc.