Hello forum,
I would like to share with you some pictures of my nightmare 🙂
The desire to retire a 50-year-old kitchen triggered this disaster. The new kitchen is now almost finished. It was ordered from a well-known local kitchen studio that works closely with regional specialized craftsmen, which was a strong selling point. We are satisfied with the result, but the process was far from joyful.
On the very first day of the painting work, carried out by a master craftsman company, the filler started falling off the wall.
The master painter responded quickly by applying a generous amount of primer to the remaining filler, which only cracked further.
On the third day, the cracked filler was scraped off the wall and re-applied. The painting was scheduled for the next day, so drying was supported using a construction dryer.
On the fourth day, the paint was applied, but on the opposite wall it would not adhere, partly crumbling off or forming bubbles.
On the fifth day, since his apprentices were already on vacation, the master painter himself stepped in, scraped off the last paint bubbles from the wall, and selectively rebuilt the paint layers. A hairdryer helped speed up the drying process.
The master painter quickly explained to me the cause and consequences of the problems:
- The work was performed in an old building
- Kitchens often cause issues
- He uses the most expensive paint (which I later found out was the cheapest variant from STO: “StoColor Select Matt” with the primer “StoPrim Sil Color”)
- My instruction to carry out the work professionally was missing; otherwise, he would have had to “grind off” the wall
- He does not make money on my job, as he usually takes on large projects
- Therefore, he cannot provide a guarantee
When asked if I needed an invoice, I said yes. The invoice has since arrived, strangely as a flat rate. We did not discuss the price, so I had expected an invoice based on hourly rates at the typical rate. Interestingly, the invoice includes work items that were not performed, such as preparing the surface to make it load-bearing.
It goes without saying that I did not interfere in any way with the workmanship of the master craftsman company. The master had inspected the situation about a month before the start, and two specialists were assigned to carry out the work.
The joy of the now almost finished kitchen (only the glass backsplashes are missing) would help me forget the whole matter if it were not for the small crack in the ceiling—I hope it won’t start to crumble. I am beginning to worry 🙁
I would like to share with you some pictures of my nightmare 🙂
The desire to retire a 50-year-old kitchen triggered this disaster. The new kitchen is now almost finished. It was ordered from a well-known local kitchen studio that works closely with regional specialized craftsmen, which was a strong selling point. We are satisfied with the result, but the process was far from joyful.
On the very first day of the painting work, carried out by a master craftsman company, the filler started falling off the wall.
The master painter responded quickly by applying a generous amount of primer to the remaining filler, which only cracked further.
On the third day, the cracked filler was scraped off the wall and re-applied. The painting was scheduled for the next day, so drying was supported using a construction dryer.
On the fourth day, the paint was applied, but on the opposite wall it would not adhere, partly crumbling off or forming bubbles.
On the fifth day, since his apprentices were already on vacation, the master painter himself stepped in, scraped off the last paint bubbles from the wall, and selectively rebuilt the paint layers. A hairdryer helped speed up the drying process.
The master painter quickly explained to me the cause and consequences of the problems:
- The work was performed in an old building
- Kitchens often cause issues
- He uses the most expensive paint (which I later found out was the cheapest variant from STO: “StoColor Select Matt” with the primer “StoPrim Sil Color”)
- My instruction to carry out the work professionally was missing; otherwise, he would have had to “grind off” the wall
- He does not make money on my job, as he usually takes on large projects
- Therefore, he cannot provide a guarantee
When asked if I needed an invoice, I said yes. The invoice has since arrived, strangely as a flat rate. We did not discuss the price, so I had expected an invoice based on hourly rates at the typical rate. Interestingly, the invoice includes work items that were not performed, such as preparing the surface to make it load-bearing.
It goes without saying that I did not interfere in any way with the workmanship of the master craftsman company. The master had inspected the situation about a month before the start, and two specialists were assigned to carry out the work.
The joy of the now almost finished kitchen (only the glass backsplashes are missing) would help me forget the whole matter if it were not for the small crack in the ceiling—I hope it won’t start to crumble. I am beginning to worry 🙁
R
Rolexianer20 Sep 2021 12:32In der Ruine schrieb:
Wrong. If it cracks, it was very expensive. Because then it was for nothing. In other words, money thrown out the window.I completely agree, unfortunately.
Winniefred21 Sep 2021 07:17If you are already worried that this invoice might cause you problems, you should dispute it and insist that it only includes work that was actually done. If no surface was prepared, then it cannot be charged.
Otherwise, I agree with the painter. It is often difficult in kitchens and older buildings. It was the same for us. Who knows how old the plaster is and how many layers of different paint are on it.
Maybe the entire plaster should have been renewed. It would have been a good opportunity when the kitchen was removed after 50 years.
Otherwise, I agree with the painter. It is often difficult in kitchens and older buildings. It was the same for us. Who knows how old the plaster is and how many layers of different paint are on it.
Maybe the entire plaster should have been renewed. It would have been a good opportunity when the kitchen was removed after 50 years.
Winniefred schrieb:
Otherwise, I agree with the painter. This is often difficult in kitchens and older buildings.That's exactly why he hired a "professional" in the first place. There is really no need to defend the "botcher" here. Just the question to the client about whether they need an invoice already says a lot about the "professional"!
Winniefred21 Sep 2021 07:38I am not defending anyone. I simply agreed with the fact that kitchens in older buildings are especially challenging. Of course, that was to be expected. The remaining behavior was unprofessional, no question about that. I am familiar with such statements from tradespeople.
R
Rolexianer21 Sep 2021 07:39Winniefred schrieb:
If you’re already worried that this invoice might cause you problems, contest it and insist that only the work actually done is billed. If no surface was prepared, it can’t be charged.
Otherwise, I agree with the painter. In kitchens and older buildings, this is often tricky. It was the same for us. Who knows how old the plaster is and how many layers of different paint are on it.
Maybe the entire plaster should have been replaced. It would have been a good opportunity after 50 years when the kitchen was removed. Disputing the services listed on the invoice that were not performed is a good approach, less so the price, although that’s only acceptable if no follow-up corrections are needed later—I doubt that.
The plaster is in very good condition; it didn’t need to be removed, only the old paint had to come off, which can be done with a pole sander (sometimes called a "giraffe") and one or two hours of on-site labor, making it straightforward.
driver55 schrieb:
That’s exactly why he hired a “professional.” There’s no real need to defend the “botcher” here.
Just asking the client if they even need an invoice already says a lot about the “professional”! In fact, it was hardly possible for me to supervise two painters sent out by the boss; the situation quickly got out of control...
The kitchen turned out great. The result is what matters. Plus, the price was really good. There’s nothing to complain about here.
And since the painter is neither a clairvoyant nor used cheap materials, I don’t think he can be blamed for anything.
Kitchens are always tricky because a lot of grease and oil-based substances can penetrate the substrate. That often causes material issues.
If it hasn’t cracked so far, it probably won’t crack anymore.
I would be more concerned about the electrical outlets next to the sink or the white wall behind the kitchen units.
The outlets are definitely not compliant. This is not a wet room, yet they’re installed too close to water.
No splash protection on the wall? How long is that going to stay clean?
And since the painter is neither a clairvoyant nor used cheap materials, I don’t think he can be blamed for anything.
Kitchens are always tricky because a lot of grease and oil-based substances can penetrate the substrate. That often causes material issues.
If it hasn’t cracked so far, it probably won’t crack anymore.
I would be more concerned about the electrical outlets next to the sink or the white wall behind the kitchen units.
The outlets are definitely not compliant. This is not a wet room, yet they’re installed too close to water.
No splash protection on the wall? How long is that going to stay clean?
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