Bill Behrens (aka Residential Works) was hired at our residence back in 2010 to remove popcorn ceilings from part of the house and to paint the ceilings, the walls, trim, baseboards, and doors.
Bill didn't properly clean the ceilings after removing the popcorn ceilings. We know this because the paint has failed to adhere to the ceilings and immediately began peeling off in places. We didn't know how bad it was until recently when we repainted our hallway, taped off the ceiling, and upon removal it began ripping the paint off.
Bill didn't properly prime the trim prior to painting as well. We know this now as well because the Benjamin Moor eAdvance paint can be pulled off in areas leaving nothing but exposed wood. If the trim was properly primed, this would not have happened. Frogtape was able to pull off the painted trim. . .I recently had to completely remove paint from the trim around one door with paint remover in order to properly prime and repaint it. I also wonder now if he bothered to prime the ceilings.
Bill didn't properly paint the doors to the rooms of the house. He should have rolled them, but they clearly have brush marks. They also had terrible drips marks everywhere that he didn't bother to sand down. We had to remove all the doors, sanded them down with an orbital sander, and repainted. There were nearly 13 doors. They should have been stripped as well, but it would have taken too long.
Bill didn't sand between coats and left drip marks all over the walls, the trim, and the baseboards. It probably just needs to be ripped out. The trim and the baseboards look absolutely terrible. He hired another painter to do the other half of the house and it looks so much better. I did the basement and mine looks like a dream compared to Bill's work.
When we hired Bill, we contracted for around $4k. He asked for 50% down and the other 50% upon completion. Despite stating this in writing, he demanded that we pay him the other 50% a week prior to the work being completed stating he was desperate for money. He argued with me for almost 30 minutes at the residence for the money and refused to leave until we gave it to him.
When I called him out on his sloppy workmanship on his last day, he had the nerve to say I am a perfectionist. If this is what Bill thinks is decent work, his future clients will be sorely disappointed. This isn't craftsmanship by a long shot.
Like the employees said at Spectrum/Benjamin Moore, just because someone calls themselves a painter doesn't mean they can paint. This is why Spectrum reviews work before recommending painters. Bill was not recommended by them. Unfortunately, I obtained his information from a relative that used him for tile. His tile work looks fine, but he never should have told this relative he could paint. . .I've been mad at my relative for years for referring us to Bill. . .
By the time we figured out the magnitude of the workmanship problems, the deadline for small claims court had expired. I should have written an online complaint years ago. . .
Be warned. I am posting just a few examples of the poor workmanship in our house.
Residential Works/Bill Behrens Reviews
Bill Behrens (aka Residential Works) was hired at our residence back in 2010 to remove popcorn ceilings from part of the house and to paint the ceilings, the walls, trim, baseboards, and doors.
Bill didn't properly clean the ceilings after removing the popcorn ceilings. We know this because the paint has failed to adhere to the ceilings and immediately began peeling off in places. We didn't know how bad it was until recently when we repainted our hallway, taped off the ceiling, and upon removal it began ripping the paint off.
Bill didn't properly prime the trim prior to painting as well. We know this now as well because the Benjamin Moor eAdvance paint can be pulled off in areas leaving nothing but exposed wood. If the trim was properly primed, this would not have happened. Frogtape was able to pull off the painted trim. . .I recently had to completely remove paint from the trim around one door with paint remover in order to properly prime and repaint it. I also wonder now if he bothered to prime the ceilings.
Bill didn't properly paint the doors to the rooms of the house. He should have rolled them, but they clearly have brush marks. They also had terrible drips marks everywhere that he didn't bother to sand down. We had to remove all the doors, sanded them down with an orbital sander, and repainted. There were nearly 13 doors. They should have been stripped as well, but it would have taken too long.
Bill didn't sand between coats and left drip marks all over the walls, the trim, and the baseboards. It probably just needs to be ripped out. The trim and the baseboards look absolutely terrible. He hired another painter to do the other half of the house and it looks so much better. I did the basement and mine looks like a dream compared to Bill's work.
When we hired Bill, we contracted for around $4k. He asked for 50% down and the other 50% upon completion. Despite stating this in writing, he demanded that we pay him the other 50% a week prior to the work being completed stating he was desperate for money. He argued with me for almost 30 minutes at the residence for the money and refused to leave until we gave it to him.
When I called him out on his sloppy workmanship on his last day, he had the nerve to say I am a perfectionist. If this is what Bill thinks is decent work, his future clients will be sorely disappointed. This isn't craftsmanship by a long shot.
Like the employees said at Spectrum/Benjamin Moore, just because someone calls themselves a painter doesn't mean they can paint. This is why Spectrum reviews work before recommending painters. Bill was not recommended by them. Unfortunately, I obtained his information from a relative that used him for tile. His tile work looks fine, but he never should have told this relative he could paint. . .I've been mad at my relative for years for referring us to Bill. . .
By the time we figured out the magnitude of the workmanship problems, the deadline for small claims court had expired. I should have written an online complaint years ago. . .
Be warned. I am posting just a few examples of the poor workmanship in our house.