I hired Daniel, the owner of Rightway Painters, to paint and repair the exterior of a relatively…read moresmall 1,700-square-foot duplex. Before starting, I was assured that the entire project would take approximately three days.
What followed was a completely different story.
Instead of a straightforward three-day project, I was subjected to an ongoing cycle of missed deadlines, forgotten materials, scheduling problems, excuses, and repeated promises that the work would be finished "tomorrow," "Monday," "this afternoon," or "before the weekend." This went on for 3 months.
I understand that weather can affect exterior painting. I also understand that contractors have multiple jobs and that unexpected issues happen. What I don't understand is repeatedly giving a customer very specific completion dates and then failing to meet them.
The excuses and changing explanations became almost comical:
* The weather was "horrendous."
* Other buildings had to be completed first.
* A builder "forced" them to run projects back-to-back.
* Workers had to be picked up in three different towns.
* He ran out of the shop without the stain.
* He spent two hours digging through the shop looking for the paint.
* Materials were forgotten or unavailable.
* Another deck had to be wrapped up.
* He wasn't back at the office so he couldn't send a contract.
* There was another project that suddenly took priority.
(every excuse was given the day after a no call-no show)
Meanwhile, I kept getting assurances that my project was a priority.
I was told "Monday morning. 100 percent." I was told he would be there "tomorrow afternoon." I was told he would "smash this out" and get back to me that afternoon. I was told the remaining work would be completed within hours. I was even told, essentially, if it wasn't done before the weekend, he would pay me $300.
These weren't casual conversations about an approximate schedule. These were repeated, specific commitments.
There were also basic organizational issues that should never have been my problem as the customer--forgetting stain, searching for paint, missing siding material, needing to make additional trips for materials, and repeatedly rearranging the schedule around other jobs.
For a 1,700-square-foot duplex that I was assured would take three days, the amount of time, chasing, rescheduling, and frustration involved was completely unacceptable.
The biggest problem wasn't that something unexpected happened. Construction projects have unexpected problems all the time. The problem was the repeated pattern of overpromising, missing the promised deadline, providing another excuse, and then giving me another short-term promise that wasn't kept.
A professional contractor should either meet the schedule he gives the customer or be honest from the beginning about what the schedule realistically looks like. Don't tell someone three days if you know your other commitments are likely to push their project weeks beyond that.
I gave Daniel multiple opportunities to communicate honestly and get the job finished. Instead, I spent far too much time wondering when someone was actually going to show up and when the project would finally be completed.
If Daniel had provided quality work, but that did not happen either. Not surprisingly, what I ended up with was something not complete, poorly finished, and never repaired. Oh, and now he owes me $300. Daniel has since cut off all contact and blocked my number. This is of course after he's been paid in full.
If you're considering Rightway Painters, my advice is simple: Go to literally anyone else.
My experience with Daniel and Rightway Painters was extremely frustrating, and based on this experience, I feel swindled. By far the worst contractor I have ever hired.
Paid- 4/10/26 - Never completed.