Table of Contents
Getting Started with Poor Decorating Work
When you’ve put time and money into hiring a professional decorator, finding shoddy results feels pretty deflating. Especially if you had high hopes for your space.
Poor decorating work can crop up in all sorts of ways:
- Uneven paint coverage or streaks
- Sloppy cutting-in along edges and trim
- Paint splatters on your floors or furniture
- Bad prep work that leads to peeling
- Missed spots or patchy coverage
You don’t have just to shrug and accept bad workmanship just because the job looks “done.” Professional decorators owe you results that meet fair standards.
This isn’t a lost cause. You’ve got options, depending on how bad things are and what kind of relationship you have with your decorator.
Key things to weigh:
- How bad or widespread the problems are
- If you’ve already paid in full
- If your decorator seems open to fixing things
- If you’ve got proof of the issues
Acting early helps stop things from spiraling and keeps your interests protected.
How to Identify Poor Decorating Work
You’ll spot subpar work pretty fast if you know what to look for. Surface flaws are usually the first red flag.
Visible Surface Problems
- Patchy paint coverage
- Obvious brush marks or roller streaks
- Drips and runs left unsmoothed
- Paint bleeding between colours or surfaces
Prep Issues
These pop up when prep work gets skipped. Cracks that never got filled leave bumpy paint. Old paint might peel if nobody bothered to scrape it off.
Poor Colour Matching
If colours don’t match from room to room, or the shade is way off from what you picked, that’s a sign of mixing mistakes.
Sloppy Finishing Details
- Paint on windows, handles, or light switches
- Wobbly lines where walls meet ceilings
- Obvious missed spots or thin patches
Durability Problems
If new paint chips or scuffs in days, odds are they used cheap materials or rushed the job.
How to Inspect Your Decorator’s Work
After the decorator finishes, take a close look at everything to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. Run your hand along the walls—you’ll feel rough bits or gaps if the job’s not up to scratch.
Paint Flaking Issues
If paint starts chipping or flaking off days after it’s done, that’s not normal wear. Usually, it means the decorator skipped steps in prep or application.
Chips often happen when they didn’t clean the walls, skipped primer, or painted on damp surfaces. Humidity can make things worse, but good prep should prevent flaking right away.
Identifying Paint Flaking
Quick Checklist:
- Look for paint chips on the floor under painted walls
- Check for loose or bubbled paint on the walls
- See if paint is peeling at the edges or corners
| Flaking Type | Likely Cause | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Small chips | Poor surface prep | Within days |
| Large sections | Moisture issues | Within weeks |
| Edge peeling | Inadequate primer | Immediate |
You’ll probably spot flakes on the floor even without trying. Snap photos of any flaking and note where it’s happening, just in case you need to show your decorator.
Brush Mark Visibility
Professional painting should look smooth and even—no obvious brush strokes. If they didn’t smooth things out as they went, those marks will stick out for good.
Thick brushes can leave deep grooves unless someone follows up with a roller. Good painters use a mix of techniques for even coverage.
Detecting Brush Marks
How to Check:
- Shine a bright light along the wall
- Use your phone’s flash to highlight bumps
- Look from different angles to catch weird shadows
Stand about two metres away and scan slowly. Brush marks usually show up as lines or patterns across the wall.
Pro tip: Morning sunlight is brutal—it’ll show every flaw that your ceiling lights miss.
Colour Variation Problems
Even with the same paint, bad technique can leave some spots darker or lighter. Uneven coats or sloppy coverage make these differences stand out over time.
You might not notice right away, but as you live with the space, those patchy bits get more obvious.
Spotting Shade Differences
What to Do:
- Compare wall sections in the same light
- Take photos to spot subtle changes
- Use daylight for the truest colour
Steps for a Closer Look:
- Check walls at different times of day
- Compare side-by-side sections
- Record any issues with photos and notes
A good paint job should look even, with no patches, streaks, or weird colour differences from one spot to another.
What to do if your decorator produces substandard work?
1. Attempt to reach your original contractor
Call your decorator to talk through the problems you’ve found. Be specific about what’s wrong and where.
Follow up by:
- Putting your concerns in writing
- Emailing or sending a letter that lists the issues
- Asking for a timeline to fix things
- Saving all your messages and notes
Most decorators want to protect their reputation and will try to make things right if you ask directly. Give them a fair shot to fix their mistakes before moving on.
2. Hiring alternative professionals
If your decorator won’t play ball or just doesn’t care, it might be time to find someone else. This is especially true if the problems are major, not just small details.
Before you bring in a new pro:
- Write up a clear list of what’s wrong
- Get a few quotes for the repair work
- Check out their past jobs and references
- Set clear expectations in writing
A new decorator can size up the damage and lay out a plan to get your place looking right again.
What is a Snag List?
A snag list is just a detailed list of stuff that needs fixing before a project is really done. It helps you keep track of issues you find during the final inspection.
It’s a handy way to make sure you and your contractor are on the same page about what still needs attention. You’ll see things like cracked paint, missing fixtures, or half-finished installs on there.
You can break snags down by:
- Cosmetic issues—stuff that looks bad
- Functional problems—things that don’t work
- Safety concerns—anything dangerous
This keeps everyone focused on quality and makes sure the job’s actually done before you pay up or take over the space.
How to Create a Decorating Snag List
To build a solid snag list for decorating, you’ll want to be methodical about noting every problem.
Start with a good visual check of all painted and decorated spots. Write down paint mistakes, uneven patches, and any surface damage. Don’t forget scratches, dents, or wobbly edges that mess with the final look.
Be realistic about what counts as a problem. Focus on big issues, not tiny flaws that most people wouldn’t even notice. This way, you keep your expectations fair but still get quality work.
Your snag list should cover:
- Patchy paint coverage
- Obvious brush or roller marks
- Colour changes between areas
- Missed spots or thin paint
- Damage to other surfaces nearby
For each snag, jot down exactly where it is and what’s wrong. Take photos too—it’s much easier to show than tell when you want something fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you address a complaint about defective work to a contractor?
First, reach out to your decorator directly and talk through the issues. Snap a few photos of the problems before you get in touch—visual proof goes a long way.
Explain exactly what’s not up to scratch, and point to the original agreement or quote. Give clear examples of where the work just doesn’t meet your expectations.
Contact the decorator as soon as you spot problems
Keep a record of every conversation
Give the contractor a reasonable amount of time to reply
Follow up any phone calls with something in writing
What steps should you take for work not completed as agreed upon?
Check the finished work against your original contract or quote. Note down exactly what’s missing or not done as promised.
Call or email your decorator straight away to talk about what’s left unfinished. Ask when they plan to finish the outstanding bits.
– Go through your agreement carefully
– Write out a list of anything that’s incomplete
– Set deadlines that are fair, but firm
– Take photos to show the current state
What is the process for writing a builder complaint letter?
Start your letter by stating which project you’re talking about and the dates involved. Spell out the problems and refer back to your agreement.
Add photos or describe the issues in detail. Say exactly what you want fixed, and give a reasonable timeframe for sorting things out.
– Header: Your details and the date
– Opening: Project info and contractor’s details
– Body: List the complaints and attach evidence
– Closing: What you want done and by when
What are your options for retrieving payment after receiving unsatisfactory services from a tradesman?
If the work doesn’t meet your standards, you can hold back payment. Even if you’ve already paid, you still have the right to ask for compensation.
Sometimes it makes sense to pay for the parts that are done well, and withhold payment for the rest. That way, you’re being fair but still protecting yourself.
– Hold back payment for bad work
– Ask for a refund if you’ve already paid
– Claim compensation for fixing the issues
– Take legal action if it comes to that
How do you draft a letter for unfinished work to a contractor?
Mention your original contract and point out exactly what’s still not finished. Include the dates the work was supposed to be done.
Add photos to show what’s left, and clearly say what needs completing. Set a deadline that’s firm, but not unreasonable.
– Reference number and contract dates
– Detailed list of unfinished tasks
– Photos or proof of progress
– Clear deadline for completion
What constitutes an effective letter of demand for subpar workmanship?
Your letter should point out the exact defects you’ve noticed. Make sure to mention the quality standards from your original agreement.
It helps to include proof like photos or maybe an expert’s opinion. That way, it’s not just your word against theirs.
Be specific about what work needs fixing. Give a fair deadline for when you expect things sorted out.
Don’t forget to mention what could happen if they ignore the problem. Sometimes, a little pressure gets results.
Components of an effective demand:
– Clear identification of defects
– Reference to original quality agreements
– Specific remedial actions required
– Reasonable timeframe for completion
– Consequences for non-compliance
