Painting - Have a problem with painting contractor

I know this is a Do it yourself forum but I wanted to get opinions on how to handle a situation. I hired a contractor who was a lot less than other estimates we received. We have a large 2 story home 3100 sq ft.

After doing a lot of research on paint, according to Consumers Reports they said that California paint # 2010 received a very good rating and the paint that we have used in the past Benjamin Moore did not get a very good rating.

I had told the contractor that we wanted the California Brand #2010 and he agreed to it verbally. He had sent me the proposal via e-mail without mentioning the paint brand, I replyed and added the california brand paint to the proposal. Also, mentioned it in other e-mails to him also with other questions which he answered no problem

Today, on the side of the house I saw all Benjamin Moore cans of paint. He probably has 1 to 1/2 days left, he just needs to do the trim work.

What do I do? I want to be reasonable, but I really wanted the other brand. For the most part the house does look nice, there are some issues, it rained one evening after he painted and one side of the house it looks a little washed up.

According to Consumer Reports the California Brand was more durable. So if I lose a year or two of it not holding up as well, I lose out.

I would appreciate all opinions. Thanks!

I don't totally trust CR. I don't know how their specs/tests work but they often rate coatings that I know to be superior, lower than coatings I know to be inferior :confused:

I've never used any california paints - in fact I'd never heard of them until a few yrs ago I do know BM has quality coatings although I've used a lot more SWP than BM.

I'm not sure why you previously had problems with BM. It may have been from improper or lack of prep or use of the cheapest line. I agree the contractor was wrong in verbally agreeing and then substituting his preffered brand but since it wasn't in writing [copies of e-mails may help] I don't know if there is a lot you can do about it.

I would defenitely bring this to his attention and see what happens - maybe you will get a discount or extended warranty. Ultimately you have the upper hand because it's your checkbook.

When you paint outdoors it isn't uncommon for the weather to occasionally mess something up. Repainting what was affected by the rain will fix it with no further problems. It may need light sanding to make it look right. Remember if a painter goes home because it [I]might rain - he doesn't get paid for that day and it wrecks havoc with his scheduling for the next job.

I agree with Marksr. Consumer Reports once rated Glidden high. I can't stand Glidden. Mention it to the contractor and see what happens.

Now that I think of it, Consumer Reports rated a GE VCR high. I had such a weird problem with it, no one could fix it. Forget CR.

Glidden makes some good coatings! I think the biggest mistake they made [reputation wise] was selling paint thru a big box. The paint they supply the big box stores with is garbage, but guess what - SWP's and BM's bottom of the line coatings aren't any good either. To get quality glidden paint, you have to go to a glidden store - now called ICC [I think]

When buying paint you almost always get what you pay for. Most paint depts stock coatings based on price. A paint store will stock a complete diverse selection of coatings. Quality coatings always cost more but the increased cost for a quality coating is minor when compared to the labor.

doesn't look like anyone answered his question about the contractor...

It seems like OP really wanted a certain brand/type of paint, and even through contractor agreed to it verbally, for whatever reason, he started using the wrong brand.

Without going into what brand is better and involving myself in the debate that would ensue, here's a response to the contractor issue:

depending on what state you're in, a verbal agreement is usually considered a legally binding contract. However, good luck proving it unless the contractor stated specifically in one of your emails that he will use the brand of paint that you wanted.

Also, did you sign a contract? did it list the specific brand of paint? or was it just "paint house with contractor supplied paint" or something vague like that? If there's nothing written, then there's not much you can do about it. There's also the possibility that the contractor just made an honest mistake and bought what he usually buys.

for my house interior that I just did, I went out and bought all the paint myself so I knew exactly what I was getting (sherman williams duration home), and then just paid for the labor.

, I went out and bought all the paint myself so I knew exactly what I was getting (sherman williams duration home), and then just paid for the labor.



That's ok but you usually wind up paying a higher total price. I always charge extra when the customer supplies the paint. That makes me dependent on the customer to have the right paint and enough of it when I start the job. It costs me money if the homeowner doesn't buy enough paint and I have to wait or come back later to finish.

Generally a paint contractor can buy the paint at a lower price than the homeowner can.

When I agree to a job, if a customer suggests a certain brand of paint, I will give my professional opinion based on covering, price and weathering. After my recomendations, if they still want what it, I will use it. Most times, I can save them alot of $$ than them buying the big box paints. BUT...if they tell me to use a certain brand, and I use different, the fault is mine...not saying this is the case, but even if I use a superior manufacturer, or the cost is less to me without compromising the finish, in the end they are paying the bill. I would ask your contrator for te reciepts, and the warranty for the paint they used.

I agree with the comments about CR. Their "best buys" are hit and miss. I gave up on them years ago when they lambasted a sports car for handling like a sports car - well duh!
Further - you have to ask why one estimate is "a lot less than others." I wouldn't trust that low ball estimate.

AS for California paint - is that even available in your area? I believe its a regional brand, not widely available. I don't know that I've ever seen it anywhere.

As long as the contractor didn't use the bottom BM paint, you are ok.

I don't know that in fact you will lose a year or two in durability. I would think that other "authorities" may come to a different conclusion on which paint is better. Benjamin Moore has a excellent reputation in the painting industry and among many painting contractors.

I don't think the contractor was cutting corners. I have got to believe that the Benjamin Moore paint cost more than the local California paint. Benjamin Moore Aura, Moorgard, Moorglo, Moorelife all probably cost more than the local California paint. Unless..... he used a cheaper contractor line of Benj. Moore paint.

There are a lot of attributes to a good paint: adhesion, application / appearance, mildew resistance, hide/coverage, as well as fade resistance, peel and cracking resistance, chalking resistance etc... You can't overlook application and other properties at the expense of "durability" either. An ugly, poor hiding, blotchy paint film (even though it might last twenty years) isn't going to do anybody any good in a real life circumstance.

The contractor should have applied the California paint as per the contract. But I am not convinced that you have a cheaper nor inferior product on the house. That is my opinion.

As already noted, I have no experience with California Paints but often over the years I've gotten jobs where the specs called for coatings other than my normal fare. Usually I would try to change the specs but when/if that wasn't possible - I used what the contract called for.

More than 50% of the time, the coatings I had to use per specs weren't as good as what I normally would use and if it was from a different vendor - it often cost me more than a better coating from the paint store I used. Most paint stores set your pricing based on your volume, when you go to another store [just for 1-2 jobs] you may not get as good of a discount.