Joined
·
7,822 Posts
Sounds like most GCs I have worked for.
Lady didn't want to pay
61 - 80 of 91 Posts
Joined
·
1,369 Posts
Thanks Bender, thanks Ole, some people just don't understand.
Joined
·
3,840 Posts
Any chance you can post this ladys phone number so we can get the real story?
Thanks
Pat
Thanks
Pat
Joined
·
1,369 Posts
Sure, here ya goPatsPainting said:
Eight six seven five three o nieeeine
Joined
·
562 Posts
Just for the record my comments on "decorator" are not in any way to take away from One Coat. You are entitled to be paid for work done mate, if she agreed on a colour then it is her fault.
I empathise with your frustrations, I just want to be clear that we need to protect the term "decorator." That is a separate issue to a customer not paying though.
Pays to keep a cool head though. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week and that you don't have any other hassles like that.
I empathise with your frustrations, I just want to be clear that we need to protect the term "decorator." That is a separate issue to a customer not paying though.
Pays to keep a cool head though. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week and that you don't have any other hassles like that.
Joined
·
30,726 Posts
634-5789
at least that what Tina, Eddie, Wilson and a whole lotta others at Stax told me to pick up the phone and dial if I needed a little lovin
Joined
·
589 Posts
Who yells at the customer!!!
.... Someone whose done a damn good job and deserves to get paid for it! I think a lot of people take painters for granted. They think hey anyone can slap paint on a wall... :no:
I'm glad you woke that lady up. It's a business transaction not a fairytale!
.... Someone whose done a damn good job and deserves to get paid for it! I think a lot of people take painters for granted. They think hey anyone can slap paint on a wall... :no:
I'm glad you woke that lady up. It's a business transaction not a fairytale!
Joined
·
1,369 Posts
ThanksSully said:
I would just hit the thanks button, but that is not an option on my iPod.
It was Jenny! :thumbup:
First off, I want to say that this has been a great thread and although there have been some considerable differences of opinions, it's been kept at relatively civil level. Thanks everyone!
PP,
I too tend not to be confrontational as most of my posts will show but since you are stepping out of your comfort zone, I will too. I think it's great that you are teaching a package course to your students. It's your job and you are obviously passionate about it. But to infer that someone who is a highly technically proficient painter is merely a handy man if they are not also skilled in decorating is a put down to both painters and handy men. It's insulting to handy men because it implies that to be one automatically makes you an unprofessional hack. I don't believe that to be true. It's insulting to painters because you're conferring upon them "hack" status by equating them to handymen in a negative manner.
I will assist my clients with choosing color by giving them my opinion IF they ask me to do so. Although not a "trained" decorator, I have acquired a certain degree of skill in making good color choices through many years of experience. However, it is NOT my job to make the final decision. I firmly believe that is the responsibility of the customer and I make that very clear to them and document that before beginning any job. If they are still uncomfortable with their color choices (or lack thereof) I will direct them to someone I know is skilled in that area. It IS my job to know everything I can about the products I use and how to apply those products properly and with the greatest degree of skill that I possess.
If you have the ability to combine highly proficient painting and decorating
skills into one package, more power to you. Offer that service, charge for it, and make more money. But to imply that painters who are highly skilled are not professionals if they are not also decorators is insulting and arrogant. Would you likewise assert that a decorator who can't paint at a highly proficient level is not a professional in their field?
I have been doing this for a long time but I still learn something new every week and I wake up every day (well, most days) looking forward to going to work. I take great pride in what I do and strive to give the best job I possibly can to every client I serve and I consider myself a professional in my field.
Joined
·
562 Posts
Hi Research hound, I agree that you are always very civil and I take on board your comments as coming from a person who cares about the trade and is professional. I have often appreciated your comments.
I just would like to clarify the situation in Australia, we have what is called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). These qualifications will have an impact on the market value of your profession and the time it takes to acquire the skills, as well as licensing and regulating of your trade.
Certain segments of the construction industry want to down play the skill sets of a painter, this will mean that Builders will run painters in their company and employ certificate II painters to do the job instead of sub contracting to professionals. It also mean that a professional painters will only take one year to gain the qualification impacting on the industry.
In the Pacific Islands painters get paid what is equivalent to $1.25US per hour because the industry refuses to view them as professionals.
By the way the term "decorator" is not that big of a deal, it just includes decorative finishes, wallpaper and colour technology. I bet every one on this thread has those skills any way.
I just would like to clarify the situation in Australia, we have what is called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). These qualifications will have an impact on the market value of your profession and the time it takes to acquire the skills, as well as licensing and regulating of your trade.
Certain segments of the construction industry want to down play the skill sets of a painter, this will mean that Builders will run painters in their company and employ certificate II painters to do the job instead of sub contracting to professionals. It also mean that a professional painters will only take one year to gain the qualification impacting on the industry.
In the Pacific Islands painters get paid what is equivalent to $1.25US per hour because the industry refuses to view them as professionals.
By the way the term "decorator" is not that big of a deal, it just includes decorative finishes, wallpaper and colour technology. I bet every one on this thread has those skills any way.
Joined
·
1,369 Posts
Pacific,
Are you implying that you would have repainted the house if you picked the color for her and she wound up not liking it?
I'm sure you would have had her sign off on it if she said she wanted that color.
Sure you could put a swatch on the house, maybe even paint a whole side, whatever.
But if she still didn't like it in the end, would it be your responsibility as a "decorator" to repaint the house out of your own pocket?
Not sure where you are going with the whole "painter" vs. "decorator" thing.
Are you implying that you would have repainted the house if you picked the color for her and she wound up not liking it?
I'm sure you would have had her sign off on it if she said she wanted that color.
Sure you could put a swatch on the house, maybe even paint a whole side, whatever.
But if she still didn't like it in the end, would it be your responsibility as a "decorator" to repaint the house out of your own pocket?
Not sure where you are going with the whole "painter" vs. "decorator" thing.
Joined
·
30,726 Posts
Yup, it's different on this continent than down under.
Painters are not expected to be color consultants. Perhaps in the old days when most paint was custom colored on the job, expectations were higher and that skill set was more prevalent.
I know in the 70's and 80's many more painters in this area were able to mix and match. I always mixed my colors especially to compliment the wallpaper.
The trouble is, if one does not have a good color eye (something I firmly believe one was born with and not learned), then one can not mix and match.
And if you do offer color mixing and/or consulting then DO charge for it and ALWAYS get a signed acceptance on a large sample. As we've discussed before, the perception of color changes. What Mrs Smith likes on the North face of her house, may appear to be a different color to her on the South face. (yes m'am, we mixed up special that South color, just to drive you nuts)
Painters are not expected to be color consultants. Perhaps in the old days when most paint was custom colored on the job, expectations were higher and that skill set was more prevalent.
I know in the 70's and 80's many more painters in this area were able to mix and match. I always mixed my colors especially to compliment the wallpaper.
The trouble is, if one does not have a good color eye (something I firmly believe one was born with and not learned), then one can not mix and match.
And if you do offer color mixing and/or consulting then DO charge for it and ALWAYS get a signed acceptance on a large sample. As we've discussed before, the perception of color changes. What Mrs Smith likes on the North face of her house, may appear to be a different color to her on the South face. (yes m'am, we mixed up special that South color, just to drive you nuts)
Joined
·
6,326 Posts
IMHO.The "decorator" part is dated.As arch stated there was a time when it was necessary.Now,with the availability of computer matching & paint in every wallmart it has become something the HO can do themselves or hire a "decorator"
Similar to say framing carpenters vs finish carpenters
Similar to say framing carpenters vs finish carpenters
Joined
·
562 Posts
Sorry One Coat I got on a Soap Box on your thread, I empathize with your frustrating experience, I don't agree with her not wanting to pay and I don't blame you for being upset.
My comments are not in any way a reflection of your situation.
fftopic:I just got on the wagon over an earlier comment that said we are not decorators. I believe we are, and even after evaluating the other comments I still hold the opinion that we should be decorators as well as painters.
Joined
·
562 Posts
I think a carpenter should be able to do both to be truly a professional. A carpenter may specialise and be really good at one or the other but how embarrassing for them if they can't do both.
I have worked in remote locations where I have had to make up a touch up paint on the job, it was two hours drive to the nearest hardware store. If I could not match a colour what would I have done?
I have helped aged people on the job to identify a colour harmony to go with an existing colour, should I have said "sorry lady I am not a decorator, go spend some more of your pension money on a decorator. I just paint"
61 - 80 of 91 Posts
