Since relocating from WA state to the Chicago area last fall I have noticed a difference (well alot actually) in how interior trim work is bid. In Wa when trim work was bid it was assumed, and bid, that the carpenters filled nail holes and gaps with caulk. The last few bids I have seen in Chicago those costs and hours are bid by the painters.
Is that a regional thing?
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Replies
Here in TX, putty and caulk....the painters job.
painter's job is the painter's job here in PA too.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Here in Jersey, we may caulk, especially if it's old work, in an existing home.
I filled nail holes once, years ago. The painter gave me hell about it. So I stopped doing it.
Sounds like a regional thing. I don't mind NOT caulking gaps and holes mind you. I have a few current customers tell me that they don't think the painters do as good a job as the carp's do because it was not their handiwork.
Maybe find better painters? I'll look at few finished jobs and see how it compares.
Thanks for the insights.
Chuck
If were doing the finish work then the carps along with the painters will fill and sand but if we arnt then its all the painters job to do.
Doug
Shoot, in my experience, neither party bothers, and then blames the other for not doing it <g>.
I have been known to write such things into the specs, though. Language like "Painters will work upon correctly prepared surfaces, filled, caulked, and/or primed as required for a professional finish." Which usually has to be tied to a "GC will insure that surfaces to be painted will be properly prepared. GC to select such subcontractors as will achieve such preperation best." Or such like.
Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
It must be a regional thing because its the painters job here in North western New-Brunswick
I can speak for St. Louis, MO and southern Illinois. They don't run trim and I won't fill nail holes. Once in 15 years I had to caulk for them.The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
Chuck,
I live in the Seattle area, and do lots of trim work. I've never been expected to fill nail holes or caulk!
Maybe this is a micro-regional thing! ;)
There is only one time and place where the trim carps were expected to do that IMO.
That was in Colorado in cheap condos where the trim was prefinished with stain and varnish, and walls already painted
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I wonder if the carps in WA made large gaps that created the necessity for them to cover up their mistakes?????
Welcome to the
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where ...
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Ouch!Alright, which one of you guys just kicked me?
I was gonna suggest that no painter could AFFORD to fill the gaping gashes left by WA carps...But I don't wanna incur the wrath of "Crazy Legs"!!Wars of nations are fought to change maps.
But wars of poverty are fought to map change.
Painter.
Are you not thrilled?
I live in WA and it's the painters job. My gashes are so microscopic, the homeowner moves in as I'm blowing in the last nail!!!! :)
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Oh, my ever-lovin' GAWD!!!!
I'd bow and kiss your feet, but you are probably so far above me that your shoes are 5' above my head. LOL!
Oh, wait! It's ......it's your head! It's so full of helium that you're floating near the ceiling.....
But I agree - it's painters work here as well.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
LOL. I am not tall, you must be short. LOL, fun stuff.
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I'm in WA state also. In my experience its always been the painters job to fill nail holes etc. Most finish carpenters do carry spackle/caulk to fix that monday morning gap. you know, the one thats usually followed by, "whattya know, first mistake of the year".
Around where I live in the Philly-Jersey area you assume it's painters work, but not if it's pre finished stuff. Sometimes a painter won't want to do it which I don't mind.
I want to know the painter and know his work, otherwise I'll price it out to do the caulking and filling.
It depends on who's painting it. All of our better/more expensive painters prefer to caulk and fill. We will caulk if we're expecting the homeowner or boss to come by. Our budget painter, we can't get to caulk anything, and you can still see the nail holes as a depression when he's done with them. If we know he'll be painting we tend to caulk and fill as we go. A painter can really make or break a finish guy's work.
Thanks Woodguy99,FINALLY, the voice of reason. I knew I did my own caulking for a good reason. No really, I'm serious.But it seems like we are in the minority. The other guys must have better painters following them.
In CO, WY and ID the painters are assumed to fill and caulk. Of course they often do a crappy job of it so I like to leave work ready for primer. It also makes the work look better to clients.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.