Dave Ritter was recommended by a building owner in our area who said Dave is one of the best painters he's ever met and also felt personally, he's a good guy. I also spoke to a reference that he gave me who said that he does a good job and that I needed to be really aware that Dave has a certain way of working and that one needs to be okay with that. I wasn't exactly sure what she meant so asked Dave and he said she didn't know what she was talking about.
His work is essentially good. I think for a building owner where Dave is doing a large job before or after people move in, he's a good choice. The work needed on our house was a room (done well) and a lot of little detail work, which was not done to my satisfaction. Touch up work was done with his finger.
I told Dave in advance that I would need him to work on the outside of the house just for a half hour when I had to be out. On the day of, he was displeased with my request and seemed put out that I needed to leave.
Upon his arrival, he put his coffee cup on my wood bureau - the only piece of furniture left in the room. I did not say anything but got a coaster and put it under the cup. He did not cover the bureau while he worked.
Before Dave left, he asked me to review his work and as I pointed a few things out, he said, "You have to wait until it's dry to really tell".
The next day when I saw a few touch ups needed to be re-done, he said he couldn't come over that day but possibly in the next day or two. I asked him to call me when he was available. Three weeks went by and I did not hear from him.
We called and Dave said that I had my chance to check his work and that the paint was dry when he left. In the last few weeks I have noticed several other things he missed which I saw because I was on the floor of two different rooms. He said I should have checked his work from all different angles.
Timing-wise, Dave said he could start at 9:00 am and he needed a full-day to complete our job. He arrived at 9:15 am and left about two hours earlier than I expected. His estimate was written on the back of his business card and upon reflection, did not include all the work I originally asked him to do. I found him brusque on the phone and in-person.
I admit that we did not agree on the completion of the final job and part of that was my fault. I did not outline everything that needed to be done in writing or correct his estimate as we had talked in-person. Unfortunately I was very tired that day he worked and I did not notice the touch-ups still needed and relied on his professional eye. I was also caring for our children that afternoon and was distracted, so when he asked "is there anything else?", I assumed it was done. I was appreciative of the fact that he carried all the cans of paint back down to the basement for me. read more
