Scott Ebinger Painting Co

Mr. Ebinger promptly provided a written estimate for the painting work requested and I followed up with a phone call about it as I had a number of questions. He proposed power washing, scraping and sanding as the existing paint job on the stairs and ramp was in bad shape. This seemed reasonable to me. However, his proposal indicated he would use stain, not paint, for the work. Since paint was used previously, I wanted to find out whether all the existing paint would be removed (not possible without extreme cost); only approximately 50% of the existing paint would come off. So, he was going to stain over paint, and said there would be "overlap" of the two materials. When asked if stain adhered to paint, he told me yes. (While I'm not an expert on these matters, my understanding is that paint is an impermeable surface and I didn't see how this would be the case.) When I inquired about how this would look and wear, he stated that my questions seemed more like an interrogation, promptly withdrew his proposal for the work and cut the conversation short. I didn't think his attitude was very professional as he wasn't willing to listen to my questions and concerns but rather seemed offended by them--almost like a petulant child. Quite happy to NOT have him do the work, especially after seeing the other review on Angie's List about the poor painting job he did. Wished I had seen it before I requested a quote.

Never returned my phone call.

He did not use Benjamin Moore Paints as specified (when shown an empty paint can left onsite the paint retailer verified that Mr. Ebinger purchased it from his store and said it was the used cheapest generic flat paint carried in the store, that it was not recommended for residential use, and that it would not last--which we have found to be true when cleaning the walls) on all ceilings and walls,including baths; painted over damaged drywall where wallpaper was removed without making repairs as specified; did not cover furniture and floors when painting wall or spray painting ceilings; did not remove paint droppings or from surfaces (such electrical outlets and fixtures, countertops, et al.) that paint bush touched. He did not come when he said he would be here. He refused to cooperate with insurance adjuster by returning phone calls and providing documentation that work was performed and as specified. Took more than five weeks to complete a job that he and others who provided quotations said could be completed in less than one week.

Said that he replaced drywall and insulation (but failed to respond to requests to certify to insurance adjustor that work was done after promising that he would do so), required constant monitoring to assure that he was doing work specified, left paint on fixtures, floor and trim, did not paint trim, used off-brand paint-not Benjamin Moore. It was necessary to ask him to redo much of his work, e.g., in half bath where he removed wallpaper but painted over wallpaper remnants without properly smoothing the wall and preparing it to be painted. Ceiling painting was spotty, requiring several re-dos. Did not clean up. Do not use covering to protect furniture in areas where he was working. No pride of workmanship. Willing to say that he would do and had done work that was not performed. Did not show when he promised. Failed to return phone calls after receiving final payment. Prone to gossip about members of the community, especially previous customers.