How to find a good painter and decorator. Advice please.

S

Stephen21

New Member
We are having a bit of a nightmare finding a good painter and decorator.
We have had a couple of chaps look at the jobs we need doing, the first one quoted us, but when I asked him if he had insurance for working, he seemed a bit offended. Our home insurance doesn't cover work by tradesmen, so we couldn't go ahead.
The second one, who I found on the Painters and Decorators Association website, came out to look at the job. Seemed a decent bloke who knew what he was talking about, and promised to send us a quote in a week or so. That was over four months ago and no quote. I called him after three months to find out where the quote was, he told me that he had forgotten about us, and would send a quote that week. Another month now with no quote. I've called him and left voice messages three times, (no replies). I even wrote to him a couple of weeks ago to ask him to tell us if he didn't want the job to tell us so that we could find someone else, no reply to the letter either.
Is this a common problem?
Stephen
 
I always think if you can get a recommendation from a friend or relative it's best. I think your questioning regarding insurance is definitely justifiable and reasonable.
 
Also if he doesn’t get back to you with a quote then drop him like a hot potato. Seems highly unreliable.

i would only go by recommendations if you know the price of the work and see the job done.

some people haven’t got a clue and a family member got done this way with a recommended plasterer.

Look at the normal websites like my builder etc but again only if you can see previous jobs for the quality of work. Also check what the average day rate and think how many days it would take you to do the job, maybe take away a day or 2 because he’s a professional and then cost of paint. Add 20 percent of that added on for his business expenses/profit and that will give you a good idea of what should be a sensible quote.
 
Recommendation is the only way and that doesn’t mean Facebook. Unfortunately as you’ve found out, decent people are in high demand currently so it’s a case of find someone decent and wait or take a the risk of a cheap cash in hand uninsured chancer.

As far as the chap who hasn’t quoted he’s probably a decent bet as he clearly doesn’t need your work badly enough. Not very professional but a sign that he’s in demand. Expect to pay through the nose for his time on that basis.
 
Stephen21 said:
when I asked him if he had insurance for working, he seemed a bit offended
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Good idea to offend the heifer in return, since he's not a proper proper tradesman. Tell him to "go away" (which of course is being extremely polite to him).
 
A customer I had asked what I do if I spill any paint. I told him that
1. Everything is covered with quality dust sheets
2. I have decanted the paint into another container so that the quantities are smaller
3. I have a clean up kit to hand (wonder wipes, blue roll and microfibre cloths etc)
4. I'm insured.

He only relaxed at No 4. Different folks....
 
The skills shortage has now extended to painters? Whatever next. Big problem is that anybody can call themselves whatever they like. No guarantees anyone now a days will be any good. Best getting recommendations to stand a chance of getting a good one.
 
Their was an old adage in the building trade, "If you can p*$$ you can paint". It seems that the ability to do the former has been lost. :)
Apart from this you need to look for painters who have been recommended by a friend or someone reliable with no 'axe' to grind. When considering the cost per hour, try to be realistic and ask yourself "How much an hour would I charge to make enough to live?"
 
A very good point Bob, people don't seem to understand that you need to make a living, they immediately think you are ripping them off somehow and should be charging them less than you quote, this is the culture that we have now. Amazon free delivery, supermarket buy one get one free, goods from china that are throw away and cheap, they think that this extends to them spending on trades people. I would never return to self employment and face these problems, then the usual "we have had a price of £££, so you need to beat that" No thank you, I earn good money now and doing a job I love without the hassle and headache of self employment.
 
bright_Spark said:
A very good point Bob, people don't seem to understand that you need to make a living, they immediately think you are ripping them off somehow and should be charging them less than you quote, this is the culture that we have now. Amazon free delivery, supermarket buy one get one free, goods from china that are throw away and cheap, they think that this extends to them spending on trades people. I would never return to self employment and face these problems, then the usual "we have had a price of £££, so you need to beat that" No thank you, I earn good money now and doing a job I love without the hassle and headache of self employment.
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Glad to be out of it now to a degree....was becoming a race to the lowest price from a few people, so declined to take part in the lower price game, the last time I posted as to why with a really good example I was sent to Bornmuff for a few weeks for telling the truth.
 
Astramax said:
Glad to be out of it now to a degree....was becoming a race to the lowest price from a few people, so declined to take part in the lower price game, the last time I posted as to why with a really good example I was sent to Bornmuff for a few weeks for telling the truth.
Click to expand...
I am a regular there.
 
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