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Painting & Decorating

How do I deal with a painter/decorator who hasn’t fulfilled his quote and damaged property?

Anonymous user 28/07/2025 - 8.13 AM

We hired a painter and decorator to redecorate our hallway landing and new loft space, but unfortunately, he has left the area in a terrible state. In his quote, he mentioned that he would fix or repair walls and woodwork before painting. Sadly, this has not happened. To make matters worse, he has damaged our new fire doors, got paint on the new light fitting, and ruined our wooden floors. When we questioned him about these issues and asked him to fix them, he refused and even started to intimidate us. He also demanded payment in full when he left, despite the poor quality of his work. We've consulted two other contractors, both of whom have said that there wasn't enough preparation (if any) done for this job. When we suggested he fix the problems, he maintained that he had done a good job. While we have partially paid him, he is now insisting on full payment, even though we’ll need to hire someone else to redo the job. Could someone please advise me on what steps I can take? It feels like he has done this before and is now trying to intimidate us with threats of involving debt collectors. Thank you

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4 Answers

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Boston

you must keep everything in writing between you and your tradesman you have to list your grievances in writing sending it by registered post to giving him a set amount of time to correct his mistake say 14 days, if you receive no reply you then may have to take him to court for redress you cannot legally refuse payment for a job completed no matter how bad the job is unless you have it in writing that payment is due on the job being completed to your satisfaction, its then up to you to sue him for any damage he may have caused or cost to get the job done properly, you need to speak to either citizen advice or a solicitor if he is threating you with violence you may have grounds for police intervention , also you can report him to trading standards in your area to make other aware of his workmanship & attitude. good luck Alex

Answered6 August 2025

danielchmielewski

Rating: 5 out of 5

Hounslow

Hello. You have to write everything in the news, nothing on the word. And the second thing also depends on who you hire. I think that cheap does not always mean good. But this is my task... I've been on this MyBuilder for a short time but I've encountered various situations here.

Answered7 August 2025

Anonymous user

Try hiring a true professional Insist on seeing their cscs card If it’s blue and it says painter you’ll at least know they should know better Take pictures of what you’re not happy with and take him to court

Answered7 August 2025

DJ Decorators

Rating: 5 out of 5

Sunderland

Unfortunately you paid him money I only ask for payment on completion and customer is happy Keep all quote and job description from this guy and take pictures You can actually get back your money for damages to property and breach of contract The contract is his words of what he would carry out on the job

Answered8 August 2025