What would you do?

[waimate01]

As I see it, he's not a professional painter so you can't reasonably expect him to behave like one. As a handyman, he's more in the "affable and willing boofhead for hire" category (no offense to boofheads). I think you are obliged to pay his bill, chalk this up to experience, and never make use of him again for anything (partly in the interests of Darwinianism, and mostly because it'll be hard to welcome him into your home).

I look at it this way: if you'd asked him if he can sing, and he'd said "oh yeah I'll give it a go", and you'd paid for studio time and production of a CD, marketing, etc, and then found the CD wasn't a commercial success, you wouldn't then pursue him for your lost thousands. You bought yourself three hours of affable boofheading, which was supplied as specified.

Sorry to say, but you used the wrong tool for the job - handyman where a painter was required. I reckon pay him and move on.

 

[waza1960]

As I see it, he's not a professional painter so you can't reasonably expect him to behave like one. As a handyman, he's more in the "affable and willing boofhead for hire" category (no offense to boofheads). I think you are obliged to pay his bill, chalk this up to experience, and never make use of him again for anything (partly in the interests of Darwinianism, and mostly because it'll be hard to welcome him into your home).

I look at it this way: if you'd asked him if he can sing, and he'd said "oh yeah I'll give it a go", and you'd paid for studio time and production of a CD, marketing, etc, and then found the CD wasn't a commercial success, you wouldn't then pursue him for your lost thousands. You bought yourself three hours of affable boofheading, which was supplied as specified.

Sorry to say, but you used the wrong tool for the job - handyman where a painter was required. I reckon pay him and move on.

agreed +1

 

[sptrawler]

As I see it, he's not a professional painter so you can't reasonably expect him to behave like one. As a handyman, he's more in the "affable and willing boofhead for hire" category (no offense to boofheads). I think you are obliged to pay his bill, chalk this up to experience, and never make use of him again for anything (partly in the interests of Darwinianism, and mostly because it'll be hard to welcome him into your home).

I look at it this way: if you'd asked him if he can sing, and he'd said "oh yeah I'll give it a go", and you'd paid for studio time and production of a CD, marketing, etc, and then found the CD wasn't a commercial success, you wouldn't then pursue him for your lost thousands. You bought yourself three hours of affable boofheading, which was supplied as specified.

Sorry to say, but you used the wrong tool for the job - handyman where a painter was required. I reckon pay him and move on.

+1 the guy painted it, he isn't a tradesman, if he was there may be grounds to either not pay him or get him to repaint it.
However as you knew he was a handyman and he did the work required, he has to be paid. IMO

 

[MrBurns]

What if we all dob in $10 each we could finish this off now

 

[waza1960]

What if we all dob in $10 each we could finish this off now

+1

 

[sptrawler]

What if we all dob in $10 each we could finish this off now

Actually Mr Burns, with the way interest rates are going. I was going to ask Julia if I can fix it, as long as it's cash.lol

 

[MrBurns]

Actually Mr Burns, with the way interest rates are going. I was going to ask Julia if I can fix it, as long as it's cash.lol

in advance

 

[USDefault]

How could the professional painter have quoted 2 hours to complete the job given that you can not recoat oil based paints within 24 hours?

He would have to come back the next day and it's unlikely he would absorb further travel costs and only charge you two hours labour, that is spread out over two seperate days.

I would put it down to experience, count your lucky stars he didn't paint your whole house and remember next time to hire a professional.

 

[stewiejp]

AFAIK the issue is that he not only did a sloppy job, but damaged (spilt) paint on some furniture, and dribbled into the grouting. Julia has said she doesn't blame the handyman for the colour mix up (though this certainly added to the stress of the whole event), even though he stated, "It'll be all right when it dries" when she queried the colour. Something he has obviously heard REAL painters tell their clients.

Even though the "handyman" isn't a tradesman (FWIW painting is not a "trade" anyway) - he should either have been competent enough to paint the area, or competent enough to say, "Hey Julz, this job's too big for me, here's the number for a real painter!"

 

[USDefault]

Painting is a trade as you have to be licensed to do any work above 3300 AUD.

 

[sptrawler]

in advance

Absolutely and the car would have to be warmed up and running. lol

 

[Julia]

So you really dont know how long it took???

He arrived at 2pm. At 4pm when I had to go out, I asked him how much longer he would be. He said another hour. That is a total of three hours which is what he billed. I was back home just after 5pm and he had left.
OK?

How could the professional painter have quoted 2 hours to complete the job given that you can not recoat oil based paints within 24 hours?

He would have to come back the next day and it's unlikely he would absorb further travel costs and only charge you two hours labour, that is spread out over two seperate days.

Thank you so much for your helpful comment.
Both the professional painters said if they had done the job originally they would have advised using semi gloss paint and both have assured me the job could have been completed in around two hours including sanding and dusting, which is what they would charge for.

What was done included no sanding or dusting and was only one coat.
I have simply passed on what I have been quoted by two professional painters. I have no idea about what paints are oil or water based.

count your lucky stars he didn't paint your whole house and remember next time to hire a professional.

I hardly think you can compare hiring someone to paint the whole house with doing a simple small job like a skirting board. He had previously painted the insert around the new wall oven and there was nothing wrong with that.

AFAIK the issue is that he not only did a sloppy job, but damaged (spilt) paint on some furniture, and dribbled into the grouting. Julia has said she doesn't blame the handyman for the colour mix up (though this certainly added to the stress of the whole event), even though he stated, "It'll be all right when it dries" when she queried the colour. Something he has obviously heard REAL painters tell their clients.

Even though the "handyman" isn't a tradesman (FWIW painting is not a "trade" anyway) - he should either have been competent enough to paint the area, or competent enough to say, "Hey Julz, this job's too big for me, here's the number for a real painter!"

Exactly, stewie. Thank you for pointing out the reality of the situation.

Painting is a trade as you have to be licensed to do any work above 3300 AUD.

So? What is your point? The work was not above $3300.

Anyway, a surprising resolution has occurred.
I decided what I should have done in the first place is contact him and express my concern about the substandard painting job and the damage to the furniture.
He never answers his phone. I left a message and his wife phoned back a few hours later, saying she would speak on his behalf. (??)

I explained that I was not happy with the standard of the work, pointed out the damage to the furniture, and said I would be getting a professional painter in to correct the problem at obvious additional cost.

To my total surprise, she said "well if you're so unhappy that you feel it needs to be redone, we will not dispute that. Just ignore the invoice".

So I have learned from this

1. never, ever to relax my rule of always getting a written, explicit quote
2. never, ever assume that anyone is competent in any field, however simple it may appear, until seeing evidence to that effect.

I thank all those members who have taken the time and interest to make constructive comments.

Just as a contradiction to the above resolve about written quotes, today I had the tree pruner who has done a wonderful job for me for 20 years out to do some work. He would think I was totally nuts if I ever asked for a quote. He gets on with the work, no stuffing about, does exactly what I ask, makes sensible suggestions, and charges a very reasonable fee which I always pay in cash, adding at least 30%.

 

[MrBurns]

He arrived at 2pm. At 4pm when I had to go out, I asked him how much longer he would be. He said another hour. That is a total of three hours which is what he billed. I was back home just after 5pm and he had left.
OK?
.

I would never leave a tradesperson in my house without me being there.

 

[sptrawler]

How could the professional painter have quoted 2 hours to complete the job given that you can not recoat oil based paints within 24 hours?

He would have to come back the next day and it's unlikely he would absorb further travel costs and only charge you two hours labour, that is spread out over two seperate days.

I would put it down to experience, count your lucky stars he didn't paint your whole house and remember next time to hire a professional.

The 24 hour issue is very pertinent, also the $3,300, I must keep that in mind. lol

Only joking, painting is like any trade, it takes a long time to know how to do something well.

Anybody can pick up a paint brush and put on paint.
Anybody can go to Bunnings and buy a welder.
Anybody can put a power point or put an inverter in a caravan.
Anybody can lay a brick.
What happens in an apprenticeship is the apprentice learns the facts and the fundamentals, mosly they are taught, what not to do.

 

[moXJO]

I just wanted to make sure you did in fact supply the paint off the original post. That would be the one weak spot, however its the damage done to everything else. I dont know if that paint will chemically lift out of that grout, did the painter mention removing
it?
Handyman or not you are paying for a finished product that you are happy with and something that is within the scope of time/money offered. He has put a decent chop on and failed at keeping the customer happy.
I think its also a reminder to not bite your lip and hope it all turns out ok. As soon as you see something you don't like say something straight away.

 

[tinhat]

I haven't read all this thread through but I got to the photo of the work done on the skirting board. I would putty up the gap between the floor boards and the skirting board with some Shelly's no more gaps.

Although I don't know anything about you, so I can't speak directly to your circumstances, I would also suggest that 90% of people would be able to do this job themselves. If it is only a matter of lack of prior experience and confidence then I'd encourage you to take on little things like this and have a go and learn a bit from doing so.

I'm currently building a house from sandstone and I've been a computer programmer for some time now without any prior practical skills. Although it is taking forever, its amazing what you can do if you talk to enough people for advice and have the self belief that you can do it.

Don't be afraid to ask your friends for advice. You must know someone who can look at the job and knows what to do? If you tell them you are willing to do the work you might get someone to pitch in and guide you through?

 

[sptrawler]

By the way MrBurns how did the pruning job go at Julia's place, hope you kept a smile on your face.lol

 

[sptrawler]

I haven't read all this thread through but I got to the photo of the work done on the skirting board. I would putty up the gap between the floor boards and the skirting board with some Shelly's no more gaps.

Although I don't know anything about you, so I can't speak directly to your circumstances, I would also suggest that 90% of people would be able to do this job themselves. If it is only a matter of lack of prior experience and confidence then I'd encourage you to take on little things like this and have a go and learn a bit from doing so.

I'm currently building a house from sandstone and I've been a computer programmer for some time now without any prior practical skills. Although it is taking forever, its amazing what you can do if you talk to enough people for advice and have the self belief that you can do it.

Don't be afraid to ask your friends for advice. You must know someone who can look at the job and knows what to do? If you tell them you are willing to do the work you might get someone to pitch in and guide you through?

Hi tinhat, by the way love the hat, would never have guessed you were into computers threw me completely.
The reason they mount the skirting board above the floor, is to allow the carpet or floor coverings to be run under it.
If you mount the skirting level with the floor, you lose 20mm of effective skirting when you lay the carpet.
See the above tips on why to use trades.lol
By the way it's sellys not shelly's, she the chick that used it. Priceless, just priceless.lol

Also tinhat I must say I agree with you, if you are prepared to get off your bum most things are achievable. I take my hat off to you mate sounds like your doing fine, just keep asking questions.

 

[Julia]

I haven't read all this thread through but I got to the photo of the work done on the skirting board. I would putty up the gap between the floor boards and the skirting board with some Shelly's no more gaps.

Although I don't know anything about you, so I can't speak directly to your circumstances, I would also suggest that 90% of people would be able to do this job themselves. If it is only a matter of lack of prior experience and confidence then I'd encourage you to take on little things like this and have a go and learn a bit from doing so.

I'm currently building a house from sandstone and I've been a computer programmer for some time now without any prior practical skills. Although it is taking forever, its amazing what you can do if you talk to enough people for advice and have the self belief that you can do it.

Don't be afraid to ask your friends for advice. You must know someone who can look at the job and knows what to do? If you tell them you are willing to do the work you might get someone to pitch in and guide you through?

Nice idea but I know my limitations. My previous attempts have been less than successful.
As I said at the outset, I have no skills in this sort of thing and am absolutely happy to pay someone who can do it properly.

I just wanted to make sure you did in fact supply the paint off the original post. That would be the one weak spot, however its the damage done to everything else. I dont know if that paint will chemically lift out of that grout, did the painter mention removing
it?
Handyman or not you are paying for a finished product that you are happy with and something that is within the scope of time/money offered. He has put a decent chop on and failed at keeping the customer happy.
I think its also a reminder to not bite your lip and hope it all turns out ok. As soon as you see something you don't like say something straight away.

Good advice, moXJO. Thank you. And it's what I usually would do. I failed on this occasion.

By the way MrBurns how did the pruning job go at Julia's place, hope you kept a smile on your face.lol

What are you on about?

 

[moXJO]

Having a quote can actually be worse if they specify certain things on it and you don't read them properly. The reason I mentioned it before was in case something specific was written on it. Glad it worked out, I thought he would
leave it.