This is the follow-up letter that I sent to Jim prior to providing you with my input <br /> <br />6 July 2005 <br /> <br />Jim the Painter <br /> <br />The… Read Complete Rating

This is the follow-up letter that I sent to Jim prior to providing you with my input <br /> <br />6 July 2005 <br /> <br />Jim the Painter <br /> <br />The following is my rationale for not paying a $200 materials premium versus the written contract.  My disappointment is not primarily with the crew but the representations you made and expectations that you set when you sold the job. <br /> <br />• Paint crew experience was not as represented in the proposal.  One crew member had no previous painting experience. <br /> <br />• Not due to any weather, the painting took about two weeks versus one represented. <br /> <br />• Senior crew member diverted to another job prior to completion leaving single crew member at site doing elevated work without assistance.  This creates an unsafe situation. <br /> <br />• Deposit held two months prior to work initiation/completion. <br /> <br />• Paint crew spilled ½  to 1 gallon on driveway during fall from garage roof. <br /> <br />• Did not supply all materials.  Home owner supplied nails for cedar siding even though these were specifically requested prior to the job. <br /> <br />• Did not clean up old paint chip scrapings. <br /> <br />• No residual white paint provided as promised by paint crew. <br /> <br />• No supervision.  Only one visit to job site observed.  (Paint was left for crew prior to crew’s arrival but not at the time of the crews working hours). <br /> <br />• This Old House paint quoted retail to me at $34/gallon versus Premium Stain at $20 to $22/gallon.  Estimate eight gallons used (excluding gallon spilled during fall).  Differential of $12 to $14/gallon x 8 = $96 to $112 Total.  Differential expected to be lower when contractors discount is included.  Therefore, premium grossly overestimated. <br /> <br />Sincerely yours, <br /> <br />Joe Ausikaitis <br />