"Matilda Zuckerman" wrote in message
...
I'd love to get ballpark guesses at the cost to paint my house.

I believe my painter is waaaaaaay over-priced and the GC is unconcerned.

I'd love a guess for the inside and the outside so I can get an idea
whether
or not I'm being ripped off.

We are restoring an old house which was completely gutted. There are
about
4000 sq feet of finished space. We will paint each room a different color
and stain some of the trim and doors instead of painting.

We expect a high quality job.

The outside is easier. The old paint is in pretty good shape but it needs
to be re-painted. The house is pretty easy to get at...it is a box-like
old
farm house with basic wood siding....two stories.

Thanks for the help,

Matilda Z



I hate to see people get jerked around by the neck.

If you hired a real contractor, then you have a real contract. A real
contract cannot be altered unilaterally. There needs to be a "change order"
that describes what additional work, changes, or variations from the
original contract will be done, and what they will cost. They must be
agreed upon by both parties. They can be initiated or refused by either
party. If both sides agree, then the change order has to be signed by both
parties, and constitutes a new and separate contract.

I would consult with your GC to see if he is really a licensed contractor.
If he is and can provide you with a copy of his license, then you will have
power to negotiate change orders with him. Or he can just finish the work
he promised to do at the price he quoted. Or he can take his tools and
quit. You and only you have the power to authorize additional work at a
higher price.

In any case, if he is a licensed contractor, you will have recourse with
your state's contractor board for mediation and arbitration from them to
settle it. For someone to jack you up after a contract is made is illegal
in many states. Even car shops in most states have to notify a person if
the repairs will exceed the estimate, and get approval from the owner.

If he is not a contractor, you might just ask him what he wants to do. You
are secretly in power, but don't tip your hand. If you are behind him in
money (as in you have paid him for work not done), he may have you in a
corner temporarily. If you are ahead of him in money (as in he has done
more work than you have paid him for), you have leverage. If he is not a
contractor, and you can arrive at a compromise, good. the work gets done,
he gets paid, everyone's happy. In any event, DO NOT pay in advance for ANY
work, but only as it gets done. If you pay for supplies, they stay at your
place. If you cannot arrive at a compromise, mention to him that you would
like to have your state's Contractor Board mediate and arbitrate it so that
a fair resolution is the result. He may change his attitude right then.
Most unlicensed contractors do. Go figger

Bottom line is ........... you don't take advantage of him, and you do not
let him take advantage of you. You made an agreement, and both sides should
honor it. And if both sides don't honor it, you go to the authorities. If
you didn't pay him, he would haul you to small claims court. If you are not
satisfied, the contractor's board is the agency to contact for you to get
resolution.

In my state, contracting without a license may be punished with a fine of
$10,000, and only OFFERING to do specific work for a specific price legally
constitutes contracting. Hourly work is different because the owner has the
right and ability to end the work at any time. It is always best when
dealing with contractors to ask to see a copy of their license, and request
that the STATE INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE SYSTEM mail YOU a certificate direct
that this person or company has coverage that is in force. DO NOT accept
one from them. CYA because if one of them falls off a ladder, you will be
seriously liable.

HTH. Some of this may not apply in your state. YMMV also.

Steve, an ex-steel erection contractor in Nevada