Expert: Dan Griffin - 1/14/2010

Question
Hi Dan,

This may not be in your area of expertise, but I'll give it a try.

We recently had a house built, and the builder shorted us in several areas, by replacing things we had paid extra for with cheaper alternatives.

My question is regarding paint. We paid extra to have Premium Benjamin Moore painted inside the entire house (outside is brick).

The paint job is horrible throughout the house, and (immediately after the interior was painted), the garage was filled with NOTHING BUT "Farrell Calhoun" empty paint cans. Not a single Benjamin Moore paint can.

Can you see any explanation for this other than they substituted the expensive Benjamin Moore paint with the cheaper Farrell Calhoun?

Thanks,
Mike

Answer
Mike, I'm sure that the paint subcontractor used the wrong paing.  Fraud is an awfully strong word with legal implications.  Have you asked the builder?  Have you shown him the poor paint work?  Have you payed in full?  Do youe have your changes and upgrades in writing?  These issues are often called "punch list" items.  This is a list of items both large and small that the owner feels are incomplete or in need of improvement before final payment.  With the matter of paint brand, it may be better to get cash or credit back.

All builders have a warranty period of at least one year.  If these are warranty items, pursue them with full diligence.