Rate my trader...

Jimmy_Boy

Advised to post here from another thread about the quality of some work I have had carried out (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6234967/not-happy-with-decorating-work-carried-out-next-steps)

Main issue I have is with the skimming / paint finish, although its particularly hard to get a good picture of it using phone camera, can see the defects much clearer with the naked eye.

So... scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (great) how would you rate this ?

Bigger question is... whats the fix? Would it need re-skimming or would a lick of paint fix it ?

grumbler

1
..........

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi JB.

That's poor. But theoretically easily fixable.

The ceiling needs either a hell of a lot of flattening using a large sanding pad - probably not practical - or else a re-skim by someone with the necessary skill. Your guy doesn't have that skill - end of. A decent plasterer would have that perfect. A reskim is an easy task.

Any idea what caused the crack above the door frame? Did he board out that wall or just re-skim it? The cure would be dependent on the cause, but a proper plasterer will sort this no problem - ditto with the cracks down the corner and ditto for the poor paint job around the sockets. All easy stuff - so the fact that he's failed on this means he just isn't up to the task; he should not be touting for business in these trades - he should be a semi-skilled labourer, building stud walls and letting the pros finish it off.

I've read your other thread on this. Absolutely hold off any further payment. Absolutely you are entitled to ask him for a copy of all the materials used for this job, tho' probably not a look at what he actually paid (he's entitled to his merchant's discount).

The paintwork is also pretty awful - that wall/ceiling line is, well, I could do better myself (so it's pretty bad).

It isn't an issue that he claims to be a master of many skills - every thing he offers to do he should be competent at. I reckon most plasterers also board out, and I'd lay odds that most are also happy knocking up a stud wall. If they are not, they say so clearly beforehand.

Also, if someone claims to also be able to paint, then they should do this to a decent standard too - or else butt out. (Our 'wet' builder did the founds, blockwork, laid the floor slab with insulation and floating chipboard floor, rendered the outsides, built a stud wall inside, boarded and skimmed all the walls and ceilings, and then painted the inside. The work is immaculate - bludy amazing, utterly perfect in every department. He won't touch electrics or plumbing and ditto for fitting windows and doors (except in his own house or for relatives). I know he'd work to an equally high standard if he did these for others - I've seen his own home - but it's just not in his remit, not something he feels comfortable with. He 'knows his limits', even tho' they are of a higher standard than most trades folk.

Your guy is at the other end of the scale. His is of a 'first try at DIYing' level.

The situation needs tackling properly - with proper advice (which some folk on here can give, but best received from your LP on your house insurance). Essentially, he needs to put it right to a standard that you are completely happy with, or else you get someone else to do so and then sue him for the cost. The correct process needs following, tho'. From what you've said in your other thread, this has not been a cheap job, so I can't see any judge being swayed by that.

FreeBear

Jeepers_Creepers said: The ceiling needs either a hell of a lot of flattening using a large sanding pad

Nooooo.... Don't ever sand down gypsum plaster. It is a real nasty, messy job and you'll never get a decent finish.

A competent plasterer will get a nice smooth finish (eggshell, not polished) straight from the trowel.

Jeepers_Creepers

Yes, that's what a competent plasterer should obtain.

I'm just giving the guy the options. Sanding it that much would be hellish, but it is doable.

Homer_home

Is it my eyesight or does the grey wall paint not even make it to the ceiling edge?

grumbler

I think sanding is possible. Even electric drywall sanders exist and aren't expensive.

Jimmy_Boy

To answer some questions
Q: Crack above door
A: This wall was plaster boarded, new door liners and architrave fitted. 

Q: Bad paint / ceiling line
A: He freehanded it. I personally thought you would use tape to get a straight sharp line, but he said something to the effect of 'when you been doing it this long, you dont need to'. Its the same down the architrave, theres bits of grey paint on the white architrave  

Jeepers_Creepers

1) Good chance it's just a bit of shrinkage, so if it's filled and sanded it'll likely be fine. Something I usually do is to repeatedly brush in slightly-watered down PVA, passing the brush firmly across the cracks to get it right in there, going over it again and again as it's drawn in. When happy it's as saturated as it can be, wipe the surface completely clear of PVA with a damp cloth (you don't want to be painting on to PVA...). Then fill with fine-surface filler and allow to dry fully. Light sanding and paint.

2) Shockingly poor painting skill. It should be a freehand job, but should also be neat. Since the wall and ceiling have both been skimmed, that should be a superbly crisp sharp corner, ideal for getting a neat paint finish on. It ain't so it isn't. He's a mediocre plasterer and a very poor painter :-(