Painter Offended
Sam
I'm getting estimates to get my house painted wood shingles and wood
exterior.
Painter #1 Has painted houses in the neighborhood. Estimate too
high.
Almost 2X other estimates.
Painter #2 Referred by a friend. I wasn't convinced he could do the
job.
Painter #3 Yellow pages. I liked this guy.
I was ready to select painter #3, but I was concerned because I just
plucked him out
of the yellow pages. I asked him about other paint jobs, he showed me a
scrap book.
Anyway I called him back a few days later, and asked where he was
currently painting;
that I wanted to stop by the job site and observe them working. He said
he didn't have
the address handy, and would call me back. He called back in about 15
minutes with
an address. I wiill drive by that paint site.
Anyway he seemed genuinely offended that I asked for this info, and was
very defensive.
"I've painted million dollar homes".
What do you guys think ? Was this a reasonable request ?
Jeff Collins
In article <35632910...@no.junk.mail>, Sam <s...@no.junk.mail> wrote:
> What do you guys think ? Was this a reasonable request ?
Probably reasonable, but probably out of the ordinary. Most people ask
for references. What if the house he's currently painting is not
representative of his best work (because the owner chose a bad color, bad
paint, bad weather, whatever).
Tom Ruta
Sam <s...@no.junk.mail> wrote:
...
>
> Painter #1 Has painted houses in the neighborhood. Estimate too
>high.
> Almost 2X other estimates.
>
Might be worth it if the others are as they seem below <g>.
> Painter #2 Referred by a friend. I wasn't convinced he could do the
>job.
>
DO NOT get referrals from friends. I know that sounds
harsh, but just because it/they/him worked out well on
his/her/its job doesn't mean it'll go well for you. I have
such a current horror story...
> Painter #3 Yellow pages. I liked this guy.
...
>Anyway I called him back a few days later, and asked where he was
>currently painting;
>that I wanted to stop by the job site and observe them working. He said
>he didn't have
>the address handy, and would call me back. He called back in about 15
>minutes with
>an address. I wiill drive by that paint site.
>
>Anyway he seemed genuinely offended that I asked for this info, and was
>very defensive.
>"I've painted million dollar homes".
>
>What do you guys think ? Was this a reasonable request ?
Very reasonable. I've been in the same boat and quite
frankly, I don't care if she/he/it painted BILL GATES'
friggin' house. It is MY house he's painting. What, does
he assume that you're not going to look as he's paiting
yours???
I'd be tempted to dump him off the list and go back to the
yellow pages for another choice. You might also go around
to some new construction areas and look at some of the
painters and approach them directly. Or try a local
contractor/painters' association. Good luck!
Tom
Tom Ruta
coll...@frii.com (Jeff Collins) wrote:
>In article <35632910...@no.junk.mail>, Sam <s...@no.junk.mail> wrote:
>
>> What do you guys think ? Was this a reasonable request ?
>
>Probably reasonable, but probably out of the ordinary. Most people ask
>for references. What if the house he's currently painting is not
>representative of his best work (because the owner chose a bad color, bad
>paint, bad weather, whatever).
IMHO, there's a big difference between a bad colour and a
bad job. It is the painters responsibility to NOT paint
unless the job gets done right. Besides, a general review
of the site could tell a lot (ie. drop clothes, ladder
offsets, bushes tied back, no ciggy butts everywhere...)
Tom
Slartibartfast
On Wed, 20 May 1998 15:03:44 -0400, Sam <s...@no.junk.mail> wrote:
I'm getting estimates to get my house painted wood shingles and wood
exterior.
Painter #1 Has painted houses in the neighborhood. Estimate too
high.
Almost 2X other estimates.
Painter #2 Referred by a friend. I wasn't convinced he could do the
job.
Painter #3 Yellow pages. I liked this guy.
I was ready to select painter #3, but I was concerned because I just
plucked him out
of the yellow pages. I asked him about other paint jobs, he showed me
a
scrap book.
Anyway I called him back a few days later, and asked where he was
currently painting;
that I wanted to stop by the job site and observe them working. He
said
he didn't have
the address handy, and would call me back. He called back in about 15
minutes with
an address. I wiill drive by that paint site.
Anyway he seemed genuinely offended that I asked for this info, and
was
very defensive.
"I've painted million dollar homes".
What do you guys think ? Was this a reasonable request ?
The finished product is what you want to see. Calling past clients
to check out references is fine but I would hate to have people want
to see me at work before they hired me.
Be careful about low bids too. We had one painter that turned
out to be a nightmare. Looked fine for about six months then the
paint started to peel. Found out the guy didn't know as much as he
thought he did and he used the wrong primer on new redwood siding.
Life, the Universe and Everything?
Sure, have the answer right here....
Uh, somewhere... maybe in my other jacket
Slartibartfast
Megadodo Inc.
Magarethea
Milky Way 2 to the 63rd -3 S.W.
MARKEMM
Your request was very reasonable. In addition to visiting several jobsites the
contractor should VOLUNTARILY provide you with the phone numbers of several
clients so that you can discuss his work AND see the finished product.
I'd cut this guy loose...he's hiding something.
Good Luck
Mark
danh...@millcomm.com
In <35632910...@no.junk.mail>, Sam <s...@no.junk.mail> writes:
>I'm getting estimates to get my house painted wood shingles and wood
>exterior.
>
> Painter #1 Has painted houses in the neighborhood. Estimate too
>high.
> Almost 2X other estimates.
>
> Painter #2 Referred by a friend. I wasn't convinced he could do the
>job.
>
> Painter #3 Yellow pages. I liked this guy.
>
> I was ready to select painter #3, but I was concerned because I just
>plucked him out
>of the yellow pages. I asked him about other paint jobs, he showed me a
>scrap book.
>
>Anyway I called him back a few days later, and asked where he was
>currently painting;
>that I wanted to stop by the job site and observe them working. He said
>he didn't have
>the address handy, and would call me back. He called back in about 15
>minutes with
>an address. I wiill drive by that paint site.
>
>Anyway he seemed genuinely offended that I asked for this info, and was
>very defensive.
>"I've painted million dollar homes".
>
>What do you guys think ? Was this a reasonable request ?
I'm not sure how offended "genuinely offended" is. If he actually seemed
angry then drop him. You don't want a guy who gets in a tiff at the
slightest provocation.
If it was maybe just surprise and confusion, though, give the guy a second
chance. Talk to him and see if he seems stable. You might even try being
mildly abrasive to see if he is easily provoked (though don't risk
poisoning the relationship).
If he's on the site when you drive by, that might be the perfect
opportunity, assuming it's a situation where you can easily approach him
without making like a tresspasser. See what he's doing, ask him to point
out the most difficult parts of this job, etc. Be understanding if he's
up to his elbows in paint thinner, but otherwise he should be willing to
spend a minute or two with you.
Dan Hicks
Hey!! My advice is free -- take it for what it's worth!
http://www.millcomm.com/~danhicks
Press Once For Cold
Sounds like he's hiding something.
Deal with someone else.