[CplDevilDog]

Do you have the original cans of paint in you possession? Are they a good brand or cut rate stuff? Did he spray or brush?

If you still have the original cans. I would strip a small section down close to the ground. Apply the same treatment he claims to have provided and see if the results match.

If it is cut rate paint if often does not have the same quantity of pigment solids as higher quality stuff. If he sprayed he may have over-thinned.

If it is a quality paint company, contact them and see if they will send out a rep. to look at the paint. They often have field guys who can tell good from bad workmanship and may stand with you.

 

[CplDevilDog]

Is he the Prime Contractor or Sub-contractor. Was it a big, well established painting company that you contacted and came out first and then sent a Sub out?

If so, contact the Prime directly. He will be concerned about the reputation of their company and will evaluate the job.


Did you pay? If so, what percent?

 

[ccwtd]

he works independently, no company, many years of service, 3 good references. I think he underbid job and now is cutting costs at my expense. Uses expression " doing the best I can" / Now he has even stopped sanding and just putting paint on to get job done. Using Ben Moore, he keeps paint in 3 gallon buckets in his truck. have paid half upfront. Remaining half due on completion.
I think I am out of luck and will be doing this job again next year.

 

[CplDevilDog]

Was Sanding part of your initial contract? If it was, tell him he needs to return to the areas he passed over and complete them.

Ask him if he feels he underbid the job. Was his bid especially out of line with others? If so, you may want to renegotiate. Low-bid jobs are guaranteed "lose-lose". The Contractor will cut corners to try and stay in business and the Customer will be unhappy with the final product.

It sounds like he is still working on the job. Can you watch him to verify he is doing two coats? I assume you have told him you're not happy with the results of the work? I would focus on the results issue because he may be doing good technical work with a poor product.

Did he provide the material? Is it possible he is substituting or cutting the paint to save on material costs?

 

[mustangmike3789]

Do you have the original cans of paint in you possession? Are they a good brand or cut rate stuff? Did he spray or brush?

If you still have the original cans. I would strip a small section down close to the ground. Apply the same treatment he claims to have provided and see if the results match.

If it is cut rate paint if often does not have the same quantity of pigment solids as higher quality stuff. If he sprayed he may have over-thinned.

If it is a quality paint company, contact them and see if they will send out a rep. to look at the paint. They often have field guys who can tell good from bad workmanship and may stand with you.

im guessing that the OP does not have a TOOKE gauge to measure cured coatings and all of the layers of paint applied. now there is a slight chance that the BM rep may have one or have access to one. if this guy is skipping sanding and surface prep, you need to stop the job right now or you will be repainting real soon.

 

[CplDevilDog]

Good point, the more hours you allow him to put into the job without telling him you are considering disputing his final invoice based on workmanship, the more hard feelings will exist.

If he walks off the job, you are in no worse than if he completes it half-a$$ and then you have to pay someone later to fix it.

Offer to listen to his side of the story. Serious mistakes in estimating are often made in small operations and it makes no sense to hold his feet to the fire if it is going to bankrupt him while you receive the rushed work he feels is necessary in order to not lose his business.

 

[CplDevilDog]

Just say "Listen Joe, I would like you to stop working until we can figure out why the results are not what I was expecting. I thought 2 coates of paint would completely cover and I'd like to get a Benjamin More rep out here to see if there is a problem with the paint"

Ask him to leave the paint with you . Suggest he move onto the next job and if there is a problem with the paint you can cover his extra set up/ tear down.

Ask him if he under bid the job. If he says yes tel him you are going to get 3 new bids on the work and if his estimate was way out you will be willing to negotiate his contact.

 

[mustangmike3789]

Just say "Listen Joe, I would like you to stop working until we can figure out why the results are not what I was expecting. I thought 2 coates of paint would completely cover and I'd like to get a Benjamin More rep out here to see if there is a problem with the paint"

Ask him to leave the paint with you . Suggest he move onto the next job and if there is a problem with the paint you can cover his extra set up/ tear down.

Ask him if he under bid the job. If he says yes tel him you are going to get 3 new bids on the work and if his estimate was way out you will be willing to negotiate his contact.

very good advise. nobody likes to lose money.

 

[Dean CRCNA]

curious. What year was the house built. May can help.

 

[Brushjockey]

curious. What year was the house built. May can help.

Dean- if you're thinking what I think your thinking... :no:

 

[ccwtd]

Best advise I have ever recieved, you are all awesome. House built in 1989, 22 years old, cedar clapboardes
does that help?

 

[Dean CRCNA]

Best advise I have ever recieved, you are all awesome. House built in 1989, 22 years old, cedar clapboardes
does that help?

Unfortunately, it doesn't help. Sorry.

 

[CplDevilDog]

No doubt! Did you see the fine the slapped that guy with in Oregon? Ouch

 

[ccwtd]

So I wanted to give you great people an update. 5 weeks of painting today! Spoke to painter and he said he did not underbid job, I almost gave him more money 3 times but no he is fine and has done two coats, however I just watched outside window and think I see some of the problem. He brings the brush full up the ladder and paints a section about 6ft by 6ft with that one brush !... says he will take care of everything and if I have a problem in the next year or two he will come fix (ya).
says he has to be done by sunday..5 more days, but remember he only works 4-6 hrs per day! Told him he could replace screen and door bell coated with paint or take off bill. He said take off I dont have time to deal with that. Oh said he put 2 coats on front of garage, I said when I was here yesterday he said it is solid body stain and drys immediately so he puts it right on within the hour ?! Told him I wanted some paint to send to Ben Moore he said he would leave me some paint but he paid for it out of bid. He said he was using there new exterior paint, begins with and A or E, sorry.
Just telling you all this so someone else may benefit from my mistake and learn that just cause you get good ref, in bus for 30yrs,painted house good before doesnt mean you will get a good job. spend extra money to get a team that has a boss that cares about the job and your property. Dont go with guys working alone for themselves.
Again thank you for all your help and I will write after this coming winter when its peeling.:furious:

 

[CplDevilDog]

All good points to remember when hiring a Contractor. However, I would make one exception.

The size of the Company is not always an indicator of the quality of work they produce. There are as many huge remodeling contractors out there doing crummy, shoddy work as there are One-Man-Shows doing outstanding, artistic quality work.

Many One-Man-Shows are technically proficient people who just don't like or want the stress of dealing with sub-contractors or employees. They may feel that doing the work themselves leads to a better finished product because they know they have done all of the steps correctly leading up to the finished product.

My Two Cents

 

[CplDevilDog]

How did this resolve itself?

Were you successful in getting the results you wanted?

 

[12penny]

I have to agree with DevilDog.....I've been in business going on ten years now without a single employee and I know that when I complete a job its built to code, to plan, on budget and for the most part on time. When I do need the help ( not often), I have a network of other contractors that I can call on to complete parts of the project that are within their trade. There's bad apples in every barrel, you just have to learn to recognize them.

 

[jsheridan]

All good points to remember when hiring a Contractor. However, I would make one exception.

The size of the Company is not always an indicator of the quality of work they produce. There are as many huge remodeling contractors out there doing crummy, shoddy work as there are One-Man-Shows doing outstanding, artistic quality work.

Many One-Man-Shows are technically proficient people who just don't like or want the stress of dealing with sub-contractors or employees. They may feel that doing the work themselves leads to a better finished product because they know they have done all of the steps correctly leading up to the finished product.

My Two Cents

I resemble that!

 

[ccwtd]

this did resolve, I paid him. so glad he is gone. the house is protected but I do have paint where I shouldnt, paint on screens and window casings( the plastic pull out kind) a broken outdoor faucet and the list goes on. also not sure what the house will look like after a winter because it was not prepped properly. But we are glad this experience is over and yes we have learned from it. thank you for all your advice.:wink: