We hired a carpentry company based on a recommendation to install baseboards and crown molding. We were really not satisfied. Partly due to the way they worked and took liberties without our knowledge, but most importantly because the work feels very sloppily done.
The pictures show what we are dissatisfied with. Should we accept this?? Is it done correctly?? How do we proceed? Dispute the invoice? Demand that they improve it?
1. The biggest issue is the crown molding above the ventilation. We know it's a tricky spot, but when asked, he said it would be no problem to make it look nice with patterned cutting and joining.
2. The baseboard gaps against the wall everywhere. Granted, the concrete wall is a bit uneven, but shouldn't it be possible to secure it with plugs and screws?
3. The baseboard's joints and corners are cut straight instead of at a 45-degree angle as before, which looked much nicer. Also, in some corners, the heights differ (see picture).
4. The crown molding's joints are not aligned, causing the pattern to be disrupted...
The pictures show what we are dissatisfied with. Should we accept this?? Is it done correctly?? How do we proceed? Dispute the invoice? Demand that they improve it?
1. The biggest issue is the crown molding above the ventilation. We know it's a tricky spot, but when asked, he said it would be no problem to make it look nice with patterned cutting and joining.
2. The baseboard gaps against the wall everywhere. Granted, the concrete wall is a bit uneven, but shouldn't it be possible to secure it with plugs and screws?
3. The baseboard's joints and corners are cut straight instead of at a 45-degree angle as before, which looked much nicer. Also, in some corners, the heights differ (see picture).
4. The crown molding's joints are not aligned, causing the pattern to be disrupted...
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It wasn't the worst I've seen. But a competent carpenter should arguably be able to make it a bit nicer, one might think.
The problem with this type of job is that it involves a "craft," and the end result of the work is entirely dependent on the performer's craftsmanship skills. A carpenter, for example, may be very skilled at erecting roof trusses and nailing facade panels but less so at detailed indoor work.
The best thing is to go by reference, and it seems you have done that? The question is whether the person who recommended the firm had the same type of work done?
In any case, the best thing is to contact the company and explain that you are not completely satisfied with the result and demand that they rectify it.
From what can be seen in the pictures, these are not particularly advanced tasks, and it shouldn't take more than an hour to fix (for a skilled fine carpenter).
The problem with this type of job is that it involves a "craft," and the end result of the work is entirely dependent on the performer's craftsmanship skills. A carpenter, for example, may be very skilled at erecting roof trusses and nailing facade panels but less so at detailed indoor work.
The best thing is to go by reference, and it seems you have done that? The question is whether the person who recommended the firm had the same type of work done?
In any case, the best thing is to contact the company and explain that you are not completely satisfied with the result and demand that they rectify it.
From what can be seen in the pictures, these are not particularly advanced tasks, and it shouldn't take more than an hour to fix (for a skilled fine carpenter).
Regarding references: I have personally hired companies with a good reputation, but due to high demand, they have brought in new carpenters (apprentices?) who may not have had the same skill.
Therefore, when using references, it can be important to also get the name of the craftsman and not just the company name. I have therefore started remembering the names of skilled craftsmen, as the company name is not as important to me since staff change over time.
Therefore, when using references, it can be important to also get the name of the craftsman and not just the company name. I have therefore started remembering the names of skilled craftsmen, as the company name is not as important to me since staff change over time.
It might be minor issues, but you must be allowed to be picky about your own home, is our standpoint. We've had bad craftsmen before, so this time we chose someone who was a real pro...or so we thought. My partner's colleague's husband owns a company that is really good and has won awards for this...they didn't have time and recommended this carpenter...of course, we thought it was safe then.eviljava said:
Naturally, I will call and express our dissatisfaction...the problem is that it's almost impossible to reach him.
The story also includes the fact that the painters who were there before (did a really good job) left the key to the carpenter who was supposed to come on Friday. When I called on Thursday, having heard nothing from them, to confirm they'd actually come, he said they were already done. I had no idea they were going to show up on Thursday when they had told us something else...didn't even get to meet the guys who did the job. The boss had been at our place on Tuesday and looked around for 10 minutes...we agreed to talk more later as he was stressed...I couldn't reach him and he didn't call back...we didn't even get to choose the ceiling moldings ourselves??? Then I found out on Thursday afternoon that the job was finished...We haven't even had a chance to discuss the price.
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I would not have accepted that job; you know one would have done it better oneself. Have you paid?
No, we haven't paid. We don't even know what they want for it... The job was done yesterday.Marlene Eskilsson said:
No, I can't say we have a verbal contract since we only met briefly. He came to us on Tuesday and took a quick look, and we talked for about 10 minutes before he had to leave. He said they could do it "at the end of the week." He asked what kind of moldings we wanted, and I said a three-corner molding but that my partner wanted to choose. We quickly went over what needed to be done, and he took notes. I didn't hear from him on Wednesday, so I tried calling and called 8 times on Thursday (thought they might ignore us). He calls Thursday afternoon and says it's done, and his guys left the key in the mailbox.eviljava said:
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Call and say that you want it fixed in a professional manner. A real carpenter should not do that. Do not pay until they have done what you want. Dispute the invoice in writing.
Another question. What is the best way to attach skirting to the concrete if the wall is uneven? Gluing could work, but since we probably want to redo the floor at a later stage, it might be difficult to remove the skirting? Drill and plug better? We don't want a lot of shadow gaps when the wall and skirting are white.
Generally...if you're particular, do it yourself, otherwise both you and the person you hire will go crazy before it's doneLinusW said:
Every time I've hired craftsmen, I have been prepared to settle for the result as it is (and I've mostly been disappointed...) So where I'm really particular myself, I do it myself... with that said, I would not have accepted the method you've been subjected to. The result itself is mediocre...and above the vent, it's just pure laziness.Regarding the specific question about fastening to the wall:
If you screw the boards to the wall, they'll follow the wall...i.e., wave as much as the wall...it's rarely nice. Glue is a good solution. (But with the drawback that it's harder to adjust if you install a different floor later. The best is to do everything at the same time)
Then seal with acrylic caulk between the board and the wall, and finish with an overpainting, so it becomes completely invisible and totally sealed.
did you say you wanted rounded corners otherwise that's the standard.
the rest doesn't look nice
the rest doesn't look nice
I think you should probably complain about this too. It looks like something I would have done, really terrible at moldings. I usually cheat at the end with acrylic sealant and paint. And I'm not a craftsman who should be fully knowledgeable about this.
If I had paid for this, I would have expected a better result.
If I had paid for this, I would have expected a better result.
I would have done it with miter cuts everywhere; in some places, of course, it takes longer. For instance, installing crown molding in the ceiling and getting the outer and inner angles right isn’t always easy, but now we’re talking straight molding. Doesn’t the carpenter have access to miter saws? I mean joining a regular straight molding in the middle, you do it best with a 45-degree cut, and with a miter saw, it takes precisely the same time to saw both cuts.
Of course, there are skilled craftsmen who are proud of their trade and don’t accept poor solutions, but the result above is the reason why I don’t hire people for this type of job. I know how I want it and shouldn’t have to stand and point out every joint and explain how it should be done. That’s why I do it myself, it may take longer, but it turns out the way I want it. If I came home and saw this in my house, I would have been upset, especially if I had been promised, for example, a neat solution around the ventilation.
I think as a customer, there is indeed a great risk of expecting too much and assuming craftsmen should read one's mind, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
I wonder if he would want to install the moldings like that in his own house, but then I thought about the latest episode of Arge Snickaren. The man of the house was reportedly a carpenter, and he hadn’t done much right in his own house.
Of course, there are skilled craftsmen who are proud of their trade and don’t accept poor solutions, but the result above is the reason why I don’t hire people for this type of job. I know how I want it and shouldn’t have to stand and point out every joint and explain how it should be done. That’s why I do it myself, it may take longer, but it turns out the way I want it. If I came home and saw this in my house, I would have been upset, especially if I had been promised, for example, a neat solution around the ventilation.
I think as a customer, there is indeed a great risk of expecting too much and assuming craftsmen should read one's mind, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
I wonder if he would want to install the moldings like that in his own house, but then I thought about the latest episode of Arge Snickaren. The man of the house was reportedly a carpenter, and he hadn’t done much right in his own house.
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