Professional Painter Did Bad Job

[Anonymous]

The painter was here for two days. He did the ceiling the first day and did a fine job. Did the walls today and not only do we not have a clean straight edge meeting the ceiling, but we also have paint on at least two wooden trim pieces (door and window frames). Overall I am very disappointed in the quality and the paint on our wood angers me very much. A few other issues as well; he didn't paint the bay window as we discussed, overall the lines are not clean and straight throughout, and he somehow managed to get paint on our driveway.

I will meet with the general contractor tomorrow, who also happens to be our neighbor, so I want to approach this appropriately. How angry would you be? As a side note, we are paying the general contractor $6000 to coordinate the kitchen remodel. I don't know if that is high or low. The overall remodel is about $75,000. The kitchen is not huge, but we are putting quality products in.

A side question: The drywallers did a good job, but left a mess on our driveway, including a bit of oil. Is this expected? I'm upset about it, but my partner is letting it slide. Now adding paint to it and I'm losing my shit.

[Anonymous]

Older house? May be difficult go get straight edge to ceiling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Older house? May be difficult go get straight edge to ceiling.

'89. The previous painter managed to get straight lines. The job was done lazily, that is obvious. He didn't bother to touch up. We could definitely have done a better job, no doubt about that.

[Anonymous]

I saw this tip on another forum. I hope she doesn't mind I repeat it here as seems a great tip:

"When trying to paint a straight line using painters tape, after putting down the tape, paint the seam with the same color paint you are trying to protect.

Once that paint dries, go back and paint the other color you want.

The dried paint of the first color seals the seam and prevents bleed over."

[Anonymous]

He needs to come back and touch up. I would definitely complain. I'm a perfectionist and if I waste my money hiring someone, they should do a better job than I can do. I'm an excellent painter, but I still need to touch up at the end to make sure everything is 100% perfect.

Construction vehicles shouldn't park on your driveway. They should go on the street. They always leak oil.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank You for the tip! Looking at it in the light of day I am just steaming!!!! There is not a single piece of wood that doesn't have paint on it. The edges of all the door frames have paint on them along the entire length, and that is amongst many other mistakes. And apparently the contractor has looked at it and didn't notice!?! He will hopefully be by soon to look at it with me. What can we do? Leave paint on our wood? Paint over it next time we decide to change the color so that the paint line grows around the door? Charge the painter to replace it? So tired of lazy a$$holes!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank You for the tip! Looking at it in the light of day I am just steaming!!!! There is not a single piece of wood that doesn't have paint on it. The edges of all the door frames have paint on them along the entire length, and that is amongst many other mistakes. And apparently the contractor has looked at it and didn't notice!?! He will hopefully be by soon to look at it with me. What can we do? Leave paint on our wood? Paint over it next time we decide to change the color so that the paint line grows around the door? Charge the painter to replace it? So tired of lazy a$$holes!!!!

Is the wood trim painted? He can sand and touch up the trim work that he got paint on. If it's unpainted wood, not sure. I think you can use a paint remover.

[Anonymous]

Sorry Op. I'm in the middle of painting myself because it's hard to find a good painter. The only good painter I know is booked 6 months out because in his words, he doesn't drink and doesn't steal. The bar is low. Definitely show your contractor and have a different painter fix it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank You for the tip! Looking at it in the light of day I am just steaming!!!! There is not a single piece of wood that doesn't have paint on it. The edges of all the door frames have paint on them along the entire length, and that is amongst many other mistakes. And apparently the contractor has looked at it and didn't notice!?! He will hopefully be by soon to look at it with me. What can we do? Leave paint on our wood? Paint over it next time we decide to change the color so that the paint line grows around the door? Charge the painter to replace it? So tired of lazy a$$holes!!!!

Is the wood trim painted? He can sand and touch up the trim work that he got paint on. If it's unpainted wood, not sure. I think you can use a paint remover.

It is natural wood. We are going to paint the door frames white, but not the window trim. But that is still our decision, not up to the painter to go along as care free as he'd like! So frustrated! Looks like we'll do the rest of the house ourselves on the weekends.

[Anonymous]

OP, I feel your frustration. We recently hired out some bathroom work and they did a really unprofessional job (uneven grout lines, crooked tile, paint on the tile), and left tile cuttings on our lawn. I would give your GC the opportunity to have the work completed corrected to your satisfaction and let them know that is not cool for you to have to ask. You can be polite and firm.

[Anonymous]

If the paint is that fresh it isn't fully dry likely and can be scraped off. See if you use your fingernail if any scrapes off

[Anonymous]

I'd be angry, too. We remodeled and the painters got paint on the new hardwood floors and then the floor crew covered that with their final clear coat. This was under the "supervision" of a high-end design build. Very frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I saw this tip on another forum. I hope she doesn't mind I repeat it here as seems a great tip:

"When trying to paint a straight line using painters tape, after putting down the tape, paint the seam with the same color paint you are trying to protect.

Once that paint dries, go back and paint the other color you want.

The dried paint of the first color seals the seam and prevents bleed over."

Thanks. OP, I would just be honest with him and say this is your list of things that need to be fixed. He did not do the work, so he may not be upset at you for stating your concerns as that way he can get it fixed and know for future customers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thanks. OP, I would just be honest with him and say this is your list of things that need to be fixed. He did not do the work, so he may not be upset at you for stating your concerns as that way he can get it fixed and know for future customers.

This. Put blue painters tape over each area that needs fixed. As the GC, it is his responsibility to fix it.

[Anonymous]

I'd be nervous that his "fixing the problem" would be unsatisfactory.

Can you ask for some money back and fix it yourself? Or hire someone good?