Exterior paint.

[Malnoueans]

We had an English decorator (legal artisan, registered, devis, factures, TVA etc) paint all the new hard wood doors, windows and shutters of our house in 2005. Two years later the whole lot has come off at the front of the house - which usually gets loads of hot sun in the Summer months. At the back of the house - less sun - it is OK, as are the two windows we have in reserve awaiting fitting at a later date post renovations.

We have approached the painter, a little delicately as he is a friend too, said we are not happy, and asked what he thinks has caused this. It transpires he used a well known UK DIY store's 'own brand' of exterior wood paint. He says that in 30 years in the UK he never had any problem with this product, and that the paint must have reacted with something in the base coat on the raw wood as applied by the manufacturer. The implication is that he considers he is in no way responsible for the peeling finish.

We think that the product he used must lack adequate UV protection - OK for English Summers, not OK for prolonged blistering heat such as we had in the last couple of years, and may even get this year if this rain ever stops! We have had the manufacturer of the windows around wnd he too says that it is sun damage.

Question is - would we be fair in expecting him to re-do the job free of charge, or at materials only, due to likely unsuitability of his original materials - or do we bite the very expensive bullet (no favours here - we pay him the going rate, friend or no friend!) and pay full whack to have it done again with a French product? What do you think?

 

 

[trumpet]

Cheap answer.....DIY.

[Nick Trollope]

Sensible answer - unfortunately, decorators are not obliged to provide a 10-year warranty on their work. However, if they do the job wrong (and using an inappropriate paint may be considered wrong), then they are liable to put it right. So tell him to do it - friend or no friend, using the right paint.

 

[Sunday Driver]

As an established professional decorator in France, he should be well aware of the correct paint to use for the conditions here.  Could it be that he is cutting corners on his costs by buying cheap paint from the UK ...? 

I'd follow Nick's advice and insist that he does the job again - this time with the correct materials. 

 

[Aly (used to be Charlotte3)]

Exactly, Sunday Driver.

You could always ask him for the name of his insurers if he fails to put this right...that should do the trick!

Aly