Painting Quote

[jims-terrano]

My son has had a quote for some paint work doing on his car. So off he went a d took it in. The bloke has phoned him today to say he's having problems with the paint reacting with the existing paintwork which in fairness has probably been painted before. So he's told my son it won't be ready until Saturday which is fair enough. Problem is, he's not said it'll cost any more but if he does try and charge more how do we stand? Unfortunately my son didn't get a written quote:doh but I'm a bit concerned that this may well be a significant increase in the price.

 

[don simon]

My son has had a quote for some paint work doing on his car. So off he went a d took it in. The bloke has phoned him today to say he's having problems with the paint reacting with the existing paintwork which in fairness has probably been painted before. So he's told my son it won't be ready until Saturday which is fair enough. Problem is, he's not said it'll cost any more but if he does try and charge more how do we stand? Unfortunately my son didn't get a written quote:doh but I'm a bit concerned that this may well be a significant increase in the price.

So the bodyshop hasn't got a written quote either, it shouldn't matter, there's verbal contract.
Your son trusted in the paintshop to provide expert advice, they should've done the checks, and they know more than me or you about paints, it's become their problem.
I'd stick to your guns and say that he has promised to paint the vehicle to a standard, you agreed to pay that. Any problems are his problems.

 

[solarman216]

In fairness to the tradesman he cannot know what paint has been used on the car before, and once he starts and finds a reaction it is all extra work to rectify, now to establish the existing paint he would have to apply a number of solvents to your sons car to tell what paint is on there, which is going to mark the car would you be happy with that before he quotes on cost and then you decline cos it is too much? Rick

 

[don simon]

In fairness to the tradesman he cannot know what paint has been used on the car before, and once he starts and finds a reaction it is all extra work to rectify, now to establish the existing paint he would have to apply a number of solvents to your sons car to tell what paint is on there, which is going to mark the car would you be happy with that before he quotes on cost and then you decline cos it is too much? Rick

But he knows this, and not the customer, and should build it into the pre quote discussions and ultimately the quote.

 

[solarman216]

yes I guess you are right, he can do the test before he does the paint job, did not think about it that way round, must be the wine, Rick

 

[don simon]

There's legal precedent, if I remember correctly, for this sort of thing. Unfortunately there's a bottle of wine between me and the legal books. So I won't be reading up on it tonight...

 

[solarman216]

There's legal precedent, if I remember correctly, for this sort of thing. Unfortunately there's a bottle of wine between me and the legal books. So I won't be reading up on it tonight...

you and me both, I am just starting my second, so sleep tight, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

i believe a quote is a binding in law but an estimate is not.
years past in my shop i had there were many types of paint come in for repair respray.a bit of compound and smell would tell me what was on it.
any suspect paint i thought might react to my work had an isolator coat applied after repair befor primer.
bad stuff as it is mixed with wood alcohol,but you could put cellulose over household enamel with no reaction.
a little bit of extra work/cost but a painter should know his stuff.
a bit like welding,never give a quote as sure as hell the more you do the more needs doing.
give an idear and keep customer in loop by showing when things go tits up.
we used to paint black cabs in london at wapping wall with hot polyurethane black paint instant shine.