About "Moonlighter" Painting Contractors

by Keith
(Manchester, England)

I moved into my new residence before any paint decorating had been done. Because I took on a new job with a non-profit organization, I felt that I could not complain. The company hired what they call a "moonlighter" to come in and do the work on the cheap. A moonlighter is someone who is not registered as a company and therefore does not pay taxes to the government.

The painter had to strip all the walls down before painting. The mess was unbearable because it was upstairs and downstairs. For five weeks, I felt like a squatter living in an abandoned warehouse.

The painting contractor did not show up for several days at a time. He did not even out the bumps in the walls or apply enough glue to the new lining paper. He did not seal the cracks in the corners or ceilings or even paint the other side of the doors without me hassling him about it over and over again.

I learned two valuable lessons from this experience. One, never live in the house while extensive work is being carried out. Anyone can live with a room or two being remodeled, but never when the whole house is being stripped from top to bottom. The disruption it causes is simply not worth the stress.

Second, never agree to accept a "moonlighter" - one who is paid under the table, to do work for you. You have no means of reaching a resolution if you are not satisfied with the results.

Always get three quotes from other painting contractors to compare with the quote given to you by your employer or landlord. Under no circumstance feel obligated to accept their worker if you feel uncertain about the quality of work they will produce. You don't have to live with poor results as a tenant. I will never allow myself to be put through this misery again.

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