Communicate With Your Painting Contractor

by Jane H.
(Bemidji, MN USA)

I'm sure that if anyone else in my church congregation wrote this story, it would be about what a horrible paint job was done and what an incompetent contractor I hired. But I know what really happened.

I recommended a painting contractor because he had done a good job on my property. His price was reasonable and he was willing to listen to what I wanted.

He was then hired to paint the church. A special event was coming up and they wanted it done right away. Someone in charge insisted that he use oil paint. He did not recommend oil paint and advised against it, but he went along with it, and took an out of town trip to get the paint at a discount that would save the church $500. The siding was over a century old and the paint soaked in unevenly.

There was great dissatisfaction and indecision on whether to blame me or the paint contractor. Someone called me and said, "What are we going to do about that horrible paint job?" They also complained to him in a rude and unfair manner. In the end they got him to come back and repaint with latex, but by then he was disgusted and he did not return to do other contracted repairs. The church people said he was unreliable.

What I learned was that it is important to weigh all the factors and decide what you really want before hiring a painting contractor. If you hire an experienced professional, you should listen to his advice. And take the time to communicate.

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