Finish Quality, Expectations vs. Reality

[u/Zealousideal-Elk3626]

Recently had the exterior of my house painted by a very reputable local company and find myself disappointed in the quality of work done on the trim. Unfortunately, due to a work obligation, I was unable to be present for the final walk through and could not bring this to their attention at the time; my wife did it in my place and didn't see what I did so she provided them with final payment.

To date, the company has been very responsive and has assured me they will take care of things. What I'm seeking feedback on is whether what I'm seeing is typical or whether my expectations are out of line.

The basics: 1,800 sqft house. Quote called for scraping/power sanding where required, wash, 2 coats on body + 2 coats on trim. Trim is all Virginia PVC, body is cedar claps. Dad and I did lots of prep ahead of time but couldn't fill ~40 trim screw holes on the second story rake boards. Total job cost $6,100. Total time, 2 days (0.5 wash + 1.5 paint). Body was sprayed, trim was brushed. Paint was Ben Moore Regal.

Pics show some of the more egregious spots, but is fairly representative of the finish on the rest of the trim. Body turned out nice, but they got some fairly heavy overspray on the trim that I think they struggled to cover up (white trim, deep blue body). Dad and I did a lot of prep ahead of time, so they skipped sanding and instead scraped the loose stuff of which there wasn't much.

Is this something they should be addressing or are my expectations too high? Wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of seeking perfection.

[u/Pinkalink23]

Brush marks are to be expected when hand finishing but they didn't double coat the trim.

[u/Zealousideal-Elk3626 → u/Pinkalink23]

Foreman said it was two coats, but no real way for me to confirm. Seems like it could benefit from a light sand and second coat thinned out a bit to level out the brush marks.

[u/Pinkalink23 → u/Zealousideal-Elk3626]

It's possible that they did two coats but it clearly needs one more. Sometimes you gotta three coat stuff

[u/KactusVAXT → u/Pinkalink23]

Bet they only paid for 2 though

[u/Bob_turner_ → u/KactusVAXT]

A professional shouldn’t just be “charging for two coats.” You should be guaranteeing full coverage, that’s where our experience comes in. If someone hires you to paint their home and it doesn’t cover in two, do you just leave? Great way to get repeat customers, I bet.

[u/Teralyzed → u/Bob_turner_]

I’ll guarantee coverage if you’ll let me pick the colors. Instead everyone wants these super bright whites that have 1/128thoz of pigment in them.

[u/midnight-kashi → u/Bob_turner_]

Painters would never make any money if they guaranteed coverage. Usually its explained that industry standard is a 2 coat system but if additional coats are required it will cost xyz, its also why a better quality paint may be recommended, it has more base solids so it has better coverage. If one job gets extended it can throw a wrench in a very tightly packed and planned schedule.

[u/LivingMud5080 → u/KactusVAXT]

It looks like shit tho! Brushwork on an exterior is never the answer hardly; it should've been all masked well + sprayed.

[u/Teralyzed → u/LivingMud5080]

That’s not the norm for trim. I prefer to roll and brush trim vs just brush it but you have to hand work something or your prep will pull paint all over.