DUNCAN PAINTING & DECORATING

We hired Duncan Neville owner/operator of Duncan's Painting to paint both the interior and exterior of my new construction home in Plattsmouth, NE. This includes staining and finishing the cabinets throughout. Duncan bid $9000 for the job and required half ($4500) down before he would start the job. My builder and I agreed to pay him the up front money so that he could cover the initial costs of paint and supplies. As soon as Duncan started he began calling our house asking to paint other parts of the new house for more money, for example, the basement, garage, and bathroom cabinets. Puzzled, we informed him that his bid was for the entire house. He became upset and abandoned the job altogether. I suggested that we part ways, which meant him returning the $4500 dollars less the effort and the costs of the supplies he had consumed. He spent approximately 20 hours partially priming the interior of my house. The last conversation we had ended with him telling me to stop calling because he had no contract with me. We are out $4500.

Very precise; took almost no breaks. Helped me move heavy furniture; made sure we were absolutely satisfied with his work. Friendly and cheerful, although his constant humming to himself was a bit disarming at first. Excellent cleanup after th e job was finished, and he went through all the painted rooms to be sure that there had been no drips. I did find one---he apologized and cleaned it up immediately.