Contracted for interior and exterior painting and a pressure wash. Got the pressure wash, basically. I should have paid attention when the proprietor, Justin, stated that the "time frame was very busy for them, we do a big business in Christmas lights. Oh, but we can handle your job!". Not so much. Keep in mind that we contracted over 6 weeks out.
Tried to call off of the job the very first day claiming "his crew was tired". He was well aware there was a timeline involved with another contractor. In retrospect, it was too narrow a window and, as a "professional business person", which he kept reminding me he was, he shouldn't have agreed to take the job and/or disabused me of the notion it could be done in the requested time frame.
After trying to cancel the first day, showed up after 11 with no help. Brought his wife with him and had her ineffectively dab "cover paint" on the walls of the living room. Talked on his phone a majority of the time he was supposedly working, trying to find help and/or managing his Christmas light bookings. Reassured me he would have his "crew" back with him the next day and make short work of the job.
Showed up for work at 10:45 the next day, big improvement, right? Again had the wife in tow, this time also with her grandmother (yes, that's what I said) and one other worker. At this point I completely lost faith in keeping the timeline and told them to get what they would done that day and we would have to reschedule the rest, so the flooring folks could get done (which they did in amazing fashion, thanks Broadway Carpet!)
The painting was a disaster. Sloppy, no taping done, trim paint on walls, wall paint on trim, paint on appliances, counters and furniture. I was told "just let us know if you see anything wrong, we will fix it". Seriously? Rather than do a good job and follow all the steps in your contract to begine with?
We had rescheduled for them to come back the following week and finish the job. I was told Monday and Tuesday would be all that was necessary.
Justin had his wife call me at 10 Monday morning claiming a family emergency and cancelling. Said he would show up Tuesday.
I cancelled Tuesday as I needed to get back to work and couldn't afford to be home Tues and Wednesday. They showed back up Friday and did more terribly sloppy painting. I pointed out several areas that were poorly painted and they did touch them up, completely ignoring other areas in plain sight in the same vicinity. No way they were going to be able to just do one coat of paint but they sure kept trying.
Showed up Friday and corrected several things I pointed out, again ignoring several other obvious problems areas I intentionally left off the list. Did the outside pressure wash and painted the interior of a screened in porch when we had contracted for ALL of the wood to be painted. Basically they walked off after I called their hand on that and never showed their face again. Wanted to be paid in full before the job was done.
I've spent probably 8 hours repainting/touching up walls and have a bit more to do. I had to go buy more trim paint as well, it's an absolute wreck and I envision several more hours of fixing that. Sadly, as a result of their poor performance, I've learned a bit about painting. You tape things off and take your time to do the job properly.
The pressure wash job was actually decent. Don't consider them for painting, they absolutely suck. read more
