Am I expecting too much from the carpenter I hired?

sg0

sg0

sg0

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Joined
10 Jan 2013
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251
Morning all,

I hope you guys can clarify what the correct expectation is in this situation as my wife and I have opposing views on this, but on this occasion I don’t mind being wrong.

The job is in 2 parts 1 part is to replace newel post, spindles, hand rail and base rail with parts I have already purchased. It is a small length of staircase around 1.6m. The 2nd part is to box in a gas pipe that goes across the inside of the house then into the Kitchen. I said I’m happy to paint the boxing in and the stringer from the stairs. He said it may take 2-3 days and gave me a quote

So whilst I’m happy with 90% of the work the issue I have is with gaps in some places. So the big one for me is the newel post. There is a gap that varies in width 3-7mm starts under the new base rail where the old wood joined the old post right down to the floor. (I did explain that the new newel post was slightly smaller in width). I was kinda expecting him to fill these gaps in. There are some gaps in the boxing in too.

He done it in a day, which he did tell me was possible as the day went on but I had to go to work later that evening so the missus was in the house when he finished.

Should I just fill the gaps and give him a good review?

Cheers.
 
Pics are needed.

It's still important to remember that a carpenter isn't a decorator. They don't fill things in for painting or... decorate them. That's what decorators are for.

If it's a few mm and you can fill it with caulk/filler and key kit down nice and smooth ready for paint; the carpenter has done their job.
 
Newel post looks ok to me, you'll obviously have to make good the surrounding gaps.

Boxing looks pretty average, could have done that better yourself.

If he quoted you for 2-3 days and only spent 1 then he could have come back and improved that Newel post. I hope you didn't overpay.
 
sg0 said:
Thanks for the input. I’m trying to add pics from google photos

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i doubt that it was an actual joiner did that - i'd guess he's more just a handiman rather than an actual tradesman looking at the work. at 800 quid for a days work i think you've had your pants pulled down, unfortunately.
 
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danlightbulb said:
Newel post looks ok to me, you'll obviously have to make good the surrounding gaps.

Boxing looks pretty average, could have done that better yourself.

If he quoted you for 2-3 days and only spent 1 then he could have come back and improved that Newel post. I hope you didn't overpay.
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yeah over quote for days, done in 5 minutes but still charging for 3 days

£800 for labour for one day, you've been had.

Couldn't even be arsed to use filler/sanding and fill the gaps in, looks like the usual cowbow "handiman"
 
The gaps are what they are. The wood will be relatively straight, the wall is anything but and you can see that in the pictures.

If the deal was for you to decorate then I’d suggest that’s acceptable.

However the price is steep, even for 3 days work if you supplied all the materials. I assume that includes VAT?
 
Welcome to the world of tradies charging whatever they want. Unfortunately, you only really learn these lessons the hard way. The more you understand what constitutes genuine quality work and what the ballpark figure should be for a given level or amount of work, the better.
 
Thekwango said:
just re-read the op - you supplied all the material too, so the 800 quid is literally just labour? he's absolutely seen you coming dude.
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Yes, I supplied the stair materials. Yes £800 seemed fair for 3 days. Previous quote from another chippy was £600 for 2 days. He had an assistant.
 
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sg0 said:
Yes, I supplied the stair materials. Yes £800 seemed fair for 3 days. Previous quote from another chippy was £600 for 2 days. He had an assistant.
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was never in a month of sundays a 3 day job - i'm only a 'diyer' and i'd have that knocked out in less time than that.
 
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b0rn2sk8 said:
The gaps are what they are. The wood will be relatively straight, the wall is anything but and you can see that in the pictures.

If the deal was for you to decorate then I’d suggest that’s acceptable.

However the price is steep, even for 3 days work if you supplied all the materials. I assume that includes VAT?
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Yes, I think lol
 
the base of the newel looks OK is it secure ? - what did the hand/baserail & spindles look like ?
but the boxing . if that is what in in pic1&2 with the bulbous end arriving at a door base, looks poor ..
the 2-day quote seemed more consistent with the work required;

I think I'd call him back for negotiation if that is still feasible.
 
Boxing in is shocking. Newel looks alright but not great, I did better DIYing mine. He could have cleaned up the existing stair parts with a quick sand off to make the fill and paint much easier.
 
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