As there is no platform for disgruntled customers on the web, i feel that i have to pre warn anyone who has received a leaflet thru the door for a company called Expert Painting & Decorating. We needed a bit of sanding and painting doing and with 2 children under 3yrs old felt it would be easier to get a proper tradesman in. Oh how we regret it now. Ian came round to view the job and seemed an amiable fellow initially so we commissioned him to do the work although i did think the Quote he gave us was a little on the STEEP SIDE £300 we felt that he must be good to command this fee. He originally told us that it would be a 2 day job so imagine our surprise when he was done after 7 hours (albeit split over 2 days) i smelt a bit of a rat and upon inspection of his work it appeared he had done no prep or sanding to the woodwork. So we contacted him and got an uncompromising response, i asked him if he would come around and have a look at it and discuss our issues with the standard of his work, he suggested over the phone that there was not anything wrong with the quality of his work and that his rates were reasonable. I asked him if he treated all of his customers like this to which he spouted off angrily that he wanted his money and if he doesn't get it he would be taking us to court.
So can anyone help me where do we stand? we have not handed over any money yet and we do not want to. We have given him the opportunity to come back and have a look and he has declined. Shall we take it to court? is it worth the effort or shall we just keep quiet pay up and put it down to experience?
remember the name Ian Burrill based in Southend-on-sea
trading under the name Expert Painting & Decorating.

* Admin edit - Final remark removed following complaint received from Butyl Products Ltd 16 July 2010 *

acdmbe,  If the job is not as described by your quote and is not fit for purpose, try the trading standards officer and don't pay any money as you have not had the job compleated as stated by the contractor.

If you decide not to pay be ready for a load of long term stress, especially if the matter does go to court.

Weigh the options and decide whether the lesson you learned has some value in itself.

I had a court case with a contractor, it went on for 2 years and very nearly gave me a nervous breakdown.

* Admin edit - Final remark removed following complaint received from Butyl Products Ltd 16 July 2010 *

In the absence of personal recommendations, I'd always try www.ratedpeople.com.

JW

Im wondering if hes even tax registered ,

Although the suggestion is this guy is a bit of a conman he could of course just be a rubbish decorator, and there are plenty of them out there as there is in any trade. As you hadn't seen any of his work before how could you judge if he was going to complete your work to the standard 'you' expected. I see sub standard work every day of the week which is either excepted as OK or meets the standards expected by the client. If you set yourself reasonably high standards then a very large proportion of the building industry will disappoint I am afraid to say.

JW wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2010 at 3:29pm:


Sadly not in my house!