Dog & Dan Handyman

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• By Elizabeth E.

  September 28, 2020

  exterior paint

  $800

  Homeowners Tale with a Sad Ending

  l hired Dan Webster (Dog and Dan, North Bend) to paint a newly constructed shed. He began the project July 15. The shed is partially constructed with OSB on the interior with T-1-11 paneling and LP lap siding on the exterior, both are susceptible to water damage if not painted properly. I stressed the importance of complete coverage to protect the $10k shed, including spraying all accessible surfaces and back brushing. Dan responded: “of course” in a tone that said he didn’t need me to tell him his business. Seeing the final color, we discussed a change order. I thought two coats would be even better. Dan knew complete coverage of the exterior was required for the warranty.

  On July 23 as he left, I helped pack up and load. It was getting close to dusk. He said would return the next week to fix overspray issues and to finish the trim. We bagged garbage; he left it for me to dispose. He promptly asked me for a review.

  Early Aug I prepared to submit warranty documents with photos of the paint. Close inspection revealed Dan not only had not finished the trim or fixed the overspray, he had not sprayed the bottom edge of the T-1—11 panels, or the underside of the four OSB doors and he missed segments of the bottom edge of the lap siding at a level from the hip down.

  I was not concerned Dan would fail to make this right. I even had a list of add’l projects. I thought it best to discuss in person the areas that were missing paint; so I waited for him to come and bid the next project. I waited patiently, but did not hear from Dan. I began to text beginning mid-Aug. I reached him by phone on Sept 4, asking about his schedule. Despite knowing he had work to complete and he had promised to return, his response was jarring: “I’m doing you a favor to even get you on my schedule” (direct quote)

  It is now Sept 25 and it has rained steadily for a week. Water is running down the lap siding following inward to the bottom edge. The bottom edge of the OSB is wet - in places unpainted and unprotected. Dan arrives on Sept 25 with a small paintbrush. Despite heavy rain, he is prepared to paint only the bottom raw edge of the T-1-11 and the bottom raw edge of the lowest run of siding in the rain with the material WET.

  I showed him unpainted areas on the bottom edge of the lap siding; he denies the problem. Dan claims I am seeing BEHIND the lap siding, which is IMPOSSIBLE since it is nailed tightly one run above another. Since the exterior is dark red the unpainted areas are quite visible even in photos. I suggest he should have sprayed/brushed the bottom edge, he laughs. Rather than fix his mistake, he denies the mistake. He was paid in full in July; there are now others on his schedule more “favored” with his time.

  Dan said since this is his own business he wants to be able to decline work and do only what he wants to do. While on-site he complained about how much he dislikes doing handyman work for a local real estate company. He doesn’t like to be bossed around. He’s the boss. I treated him respectfully, I paid promptly, I fed him, I helped clean up after him AND he told me I was the type of client he likes to work with. I would hate to be the lady he doesn’t like working with.

  Judge for yourself from my experience. Due to Dan’s performance and delay, I am forced to hire a professional painter quickly to re-paint portions of my shed. October rain is upon us. Dan has left me with an expensive and worrisome problem.

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