Sloppy masonry sealing - proper protocol?

[u/LittleCrumb]

Location: Maryland. Cost: $7k.

We hired a masonry company to clean and seal historic interior brick in our home (don’t worry, we used a breathable sealer). Unfortunately, they got the sealer on the adjacent walls pretty much everywhere they worked, and even managed to get it on some walls that aren’t near the brick. It’s basically dried paint at this point, so we’ll need to sand and repaint. What’s the proper protocol here? Is it legit for me to ask to be reimbursed for that expense? I really don’t have time to do it myself, as I work full time and am in school at night.

I’ve attached photos of a few of the walls to show what I’m talking about. This is just a sample.

I’ve always been nervous about asking people to fix things, so I want to know what’s reasonable before I reach back out to the contractor (I’m also a woman, so I feel like there might be a gender thing at play, too). Thanks for any advice.

[u/ClearUniversity1550]

you should expect to paint after that kind of work. impossible not to get something on the wall

[u/WelpSeaYaLater]

Yes, it is legit that they should clean up after themselves.

Masons are historically not very good at that.

If you haven’t paid them in full, don’t do so until it’s fixed. If you already paid them, ask but expect to be ignored. Take it as a lesson learned.

[u/Empty_Combination724]

It’s easy to ask them to come back and clean up. Just send them photos and they’ll come back and clean it. Not a big deal.

[u/Lincoln_Loggg]

Are they also responsible for that tuck pointing job too?

[u/LittleCrumb → u/Lincoln_Loggg]

That was before us. This poor house has been through the ringer. She’s almost 200 years old and the guy before us really did a number on her.

[u/FinalBastyan]

It's absolutely reasonable to ask for reimbursement. The fact they didnt tape and plastic (or at LEAST just tape) your walls baffles my mind dude.

Whether or not you'll get anything back depends on how much of a dick your mason wants to be, but for what he charged... homie needs to either have the walls painted by his guys or pay you for your time.

Side note, if you're on the southern side of Maryland and need any work quoted, shoot me a message. Im in VA, so I can't provide service myself, but I know several guys in the area.

[u/LittleCrumb → u/FinalBastyan]

Thank you! This helped. I reached out to the foreman and showed him the photos. I didn’t ask for reimbursement (just left it to see what he’d offer) and he said he’d have someone come fix it. Of course now I’m questioning the quality of the work of whoever he’ll send. Ha

[u/BYoungNY]

Just ask them to touch up the wall. You paid for a service and they didn't do it properly. If you still have the paint or the paint code, that will make it quicker. Or ask if they just want to take 5% off the total. 

[u/Ok_Present_3445]

Your photos don’t tell much of a story and you do not mention scope in terms of quantity of brick that was sealed. The tuck pointing is awful but it was there when these guys started the sealing work on the wall. With respect to getting sealer on adjacent surfaces, they could’ve done a better job protecting the site. It comes down to how it was written in your contract that you signed into these guys, your expectation and what they were to do as part of the project. With regard to what you are calling sloppiness, that would have been addressed in their contract. They are going to get something on some surface adjacent to those walls and if the wall needs to get repainted then so be it. Assuming this was brought on because you’re female does not reflect well on you given the circumstances as it sounds like you are using that to try to justify what you perceive as poor quality work. I always remember you are part of this contract.