News and Views, Tradie Business

Making sure you pick a prepared painter

Working at the Master Painters Association for the past 19 years, I have seen many instances where consumers have been ripped off by a painter financially or the consumer has had painting works carried out that have been of very poor standard.

One recently comes to mind where a consumer engaged a national franchise holder to carry out painting works to their home.

Jodie Rebbechi, MPAV General Manager. Image: MPAV

The quotation was very detailed and included every area of work in great detail. The issue was that the painter (the franchise holder) was not capable of completing the works in compliance with the quotation.

They weren’t a qualified painter and had purchased the franchise only recently. They quoted to restore windows but these windows were not prepared and hence the outcome was aesthetically poor. The paperwork looked amazing but the workmanship was substandard.

Image: Supplied by MPAV

Reading between the lines

Consumers and builders who engage painting contractors need to also look further than just the paperwork. Ensure your painter is a member of the Master Painters Association, make sure that comparable quotes have been obtained, get references, check to see if the painting contractor is qualified, check and re check payment terms of the contract and make sure the painting contractor has Public Liability Insurance.

With the case mentioned above, works were commenced and then the consumer was hit with progress payments after the painter had already obtained a bigger than 50 per cent deposit and the quotation had also stated payment on completion.  

The consumer engaged the Master Painters Independent Inspector to carry out an inspection to works, very poor to no preparation to external windows.

Image: Supplied by MPAV

The painter would only return to rectify the windows, if the client paid them more money. It’s a very difficult situation for the consumer who has lost faith that the painting contractor can complete works to any standard, but the consumer also wants their painting completed.

Unfortunately in the this case, the franchise representative has blamed the poor condition of the original windows, when the painting contractor quoted to restore the windows.

The consumer is now in the process of making an application to VCAT, to recoup some of the monies paid to the painter to get their windows prepared and painted properly.

The Master Painters Association of Victoria have a number of information data sheets on their website to assist and guide consumers when choosing a painting contractor. 

Consumers and builders engaging painting contractors should do their due diligence, look at reviews, make sure their business has an ABN, see if they have an online presence and always ask to sight previous work if possible. And lastly, don’t hire handyman services to carry out painting restoration works.

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