Job not completed by decorator.

PecrySugden

We're part way through our house being decorated. 
We're in the North West and were quoted £3k for our main bedroom to be painted. The landing and stairs as well as our small open plan down stairs. In the quote was work on a small painting job outside, the fitting of alcove shelves, the replacement of a tap and mantel. What we thought was a good price to get all the jobs done in our home. The price was based on materials and a daily rate. Which he said would take 11 days. 
On the first day we received a video message from the decorator to say the plaster on the walls/ceiling was coming off as he painted. He patch plastered but said it had set him back already. It took him 6 days to complete the bedroom and he's part way through the open plan with what looks like minimal progress on the day before. 
He's said due to the plastering t's now impossible for all the work to be completed and it's unlikely he'll get the stairs and landing done.
Thinking he'd tag a few days on, we asked if his availability and he said September!!.
Obviously a huge chunk of the work won't be completed which we'll likely have to find someone else to complete. 
I've paid £2k so far.
I get he's behind, but that behind? How do I play this with payment of the final £1k? Just feel a bit done. 

rob7475

Did he show you the problems with the plaster before making good? If there were genuine issues with the plastering that he couldn't have spotted until the work started, you may have to just go with it.

Are you happy with the work he's done so far?

prowla

The reason you get a professional in is because they know what they are doing.

It's not the decorator's first rodeo and they should've assessed the situation before quoting and starting.

When they came to quote, did they tap on the plaster to see if it was still properly attached or did they just do a visual and say they could do it?

Certainly don't pay any more until complete.

Mistral001

I would wait until September.  The problem with the plaster coming off and needing patching is something the contractor could not have predicted. A cowboy decorator would probably have painted over it and hoped for the best, but this decorator/builder did not do this.  Patching the plaster will require the plaster to dry before painting over it, so extra time is required.  Getting someone else to finish the job, is an option, but it might be difficult to get a reputable contractor to take on a job started by someone else.  

ButterCheese

On the one hand I know that tradespeople get booked up quickly, especially over summer when the weather is (usually) dry and everyone wants their work done NOW. 

On the other hand, we had the exact same issue with our conservatory - they went to paint it but said all the walls needed re-plastering.  So they got a plasterer in (which they arranged) and it was all done within a week.  They just quoted us beforehand (£400) and we said yes, do it.  Any decorator worth their salt should know, or know of, someone who can come in and do remedial work.  How likely that is at short notice really depends on the area where you live.  I live in a city but there still seems to be be ample tradespeople for the amount of people needing work.  Maybe try and find someone else?  It could just be that this guy has a holiday booked and some other big paying jobs that he doesn't want to turn down