AITA I think I am getting ripped off but I'd like another opinion.

[Maraya1969]

The total cost to paint my front door with primer is $418 of which I paid half so far

The guy that started to fix it, (he moved in here in exchange for fixing some things - not a good idea) sprayed stuff that makes the paint peal and then he used some sort of tool/machine to take the door down all the way to the metal. I didn't realize the handle was completely ruined until a few days ago which is when I went to the store and got one with the numbers that you punch in

Anyway the guy from the new place came by today and he did a very good job. But I had not realized until a couple days ago that the nut that started the job also sprayed the handle with that pain peeler and it is ruined. So I asked the guy today if he could put on the new lock and handle. (I got one of those ones where you just stick the numbers in. It is not connected to the WIFI or any camera. He said he didn't have the correct tools so would have to come back.

So I just got a call from the owner, (who lives very close to me) and he was complaining that I did not tell them sooner.........and want to charge me an extra $80 to come by with the "proper" tools to fix it, (He mentioned that he gets $150/hour also when explaining to me)

At this point I am getting really mad so I just said I had to get off the phone and think about it.

Why do they have to nickle and dime me here??? Apparently you have to drill another hole or 2 for this new lock. I just sent him the remaining $208 which is 1/2 of the total $418.

I'm pissed that they want to charge me another $80 to drill a damn hole and I'm thinking about asking the guy next door who told me about these things. I'm sure it won't take but a few minutes

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Is this your home? I find $418 to strip and repaint a door excessive. Did you have 2

different companies doing this work? I would be complaining to whomever put paint stripper on the handle/lock and asking for restitution. I suspect the $80 is for drilling the 2 inch hole for a new handle/lock.

[Maraya1969]

2. I must not have been clear. Before I hired this company there was a guy who I allowed

to live in the "Mother-in-law" section of my house in exchange for doing things around the house. He did some things well but others he was a complete and total idiot. So he started the front door and he used some stuff that was supposed to make paint peal off. But he also sprayed it on my door handle, (one of the big nice ones for front doors)

I ended up throwing that guy out because he was a jerk. So now I had a front door that was completely metal and I needed it painted. I called the handyman company who had helped me once before with a toilet, (something that original guy screwed up also). They quoted me $418 to paint the front door, with primer and also the mailbox, (which is small)

It was after this that I noticed that the door handle was ruined. I didn't say anything to the company because I figured they were going to put the handle back on so why not just stick a new one on. But yes, the new one is one of those punch the numbers one. I do not think it is complicated to put in. It is just that when the painter was here today and I showed it to him he said he didn't have the right tools and would have to come back.

So that is why the owner called me and wants another $80 to come back and put the new handle on. Remember he lives very close to me.

I just feel like I paid a LOT to have a door painted and when he said he wanted more to put the different handle on I got really mad. We talked on the phone and I told him I did not realize the door handle that was on there was ruined until just a couple days ago. And then it seems like it was getting into and argument so I just said I was feeling mad and I wanted to get off the phone.

That's it.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Okay. Still think $418 is too high. I always google to get average cost for a

job. HomeGuide lists painting a front door at $125 to $225. Angi says $175 to $300. Installation of a keyless lock is $100 to $200.

So I guess a total of $498 for both isn't too out of line.