I Was Quoted $500 to Fix This Door

Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 15:45

Hello everyone

I moved out of my house (Reservoir, Mel) few days ago and the agent upon carrying out the final inspection has pointed out to me that the door is not fixed to a 'reasonable' standard or 'professionally'.

This door had a hole in it because of the door stopper which was fixed/located at the top of the wall behind the door.

I went to Bunnings and bought a "wall repair kit" and as shown in the pictures I tried to fix it as much as I can ( I didn't take photo after I was finished using the sand paper thingy to smooth the surface).

The agent said I need to fix it, so I called a handyman who said it will cost $500. I tried different people but I either didn't get an answer/quote or they are busy for sometime.

How can I fix it?, or how much should it cost to get it fixed? I am an international student and have little knowledge about prices for such things.

I really thought I did a reasonable job when I tried to fix it :(

Thanks in advance <3

Photos
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/180341/92165/img-20211…

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/180341/92166/img-20211…

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/180341/92167/img-20211…

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/180341/92168/img-20211…

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/11/2021 - 15:49
    +31

    Expected to open the pictures and find a dogs breakfast but this doesnt look THAT terrible.
    Matching the colour could be painful.

    • fantombloo on 08/11/2021 - 15:54
      +14

      Looks fine. Just paint that one wall. Cut corners carefully to leave little trace. If it's a moderately sized wall it's a couple of hours job.

      • Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 15:58
        +1

        Hi

        The hole is in the door haha not the wall . The wall is fine. Sorry if I wasn't clear in the post

        • fantombloo on 08/11/2021 - 15:58
          +27

          Even easier then. Paint the door, one side. 30min and you're done, including washing up.

          • Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 16:08
            +8

            @fantombloo: Thank you for your opinion. I will try to get a matching colour from Bunnings and test it.

            • abuch47 on 09/11/2021 - 14:03
              +6

              @Wazzza: $500 is extremely rough yet commonplace to hear of the large overcharging by sole traders. Make sure the patch is perfectly flat and decently smooth (120 grit) before painting as it will just show through and the agent wont be happy. best to use primer sealer undercoat paint as well as it sticks, goes on a bit thicker and gives the actual paint colour a good finish over the top.

                • Nebargains on 09/11/2021 - 17:53
                  +10

                  @Jackson: If it's an internal door you could go buy one for not much at Bunnings.

                  • Jackson on 09/11/2021 - 18:05
                    +1

                    @Nebargains: you can, but then you need to buy the door, bring it home, remove the door hardware, install on the new door, paint both sides (maybe before hanging if it's easier, and let's say it's preprimers, it's still going to need 2 coats). If you can find a tradie in a capital city metro area that will do that for under 1k for a single door you are doing well.

                  • Dsiee on 09/11/2021 - 21:03
                    +1

                    @Nebargains: If someone can't fix the hole by themself I doubt they can hand a door. Not trying to be mean but if you're not handy it isn't as easy as you might think.

                • Shmexalicious on 09/11/2021 - 18:05
                  +1

                  @Jackson: No way $500 is acceptable for that job. That's your run of the mill shitty internal door, looks to be either stave or hollow core. Bunnings and the first few links on available on Google are telling me that a new door would cost you $99-$400 (and this was a fancier one that what OP has).

                • abuch47 on 09/11/2021 - 21:34

                  @Jackson: It is and it isn't, I've known friends to swing one front door for $600 a decade ago and similar ripoffs but they admit it. If my trades tried that on me they wouldn't receive any more business in turn this means the less clued in get bent. Overall I don't mind as they deserve a comfortable life but not at the expense of others, can't hate the players playing the game.

              • KLoNe on 10/11/2021 - 14:22

                @abuch47: I'll barely reply to a quote request for under $500.
                I mean, why would you? You're a SOLE TRADER, not a charity. Why would I want to help out "old lady who thinks I should work for $20/hr + cup of tea" when "happy rich man" will pay me $1000 for a 4hr job and give me a $100 tip, a glowing 5 star google review and refer me to his other rich family and friends?

                • abuch47 on 10/11/2021 - 15:27

                  @KLoNe: I dunno my tiler is giving me the runaround so in turn I am doing the same to him (mostly by accident). He has a brand new house, 200 series and massive caravan and was comparatively cheap so I can't imagine how well off other tradie sole traders are.

                  But I'd say repeat business and reputation maybe its not so important in the big smokes where there are constant crop of naivetes to pillage.

                • DrScavenger on 11/11/2021 - 07:37
                  +1

                  @KLoNe: Of course you are supposed to make money but people expect you to be reasonable as well.

            • macrocephalic on 09/11/2021 - 18:12

              @Wazzza: If you can find something the same colour in the house then take it into bunnings so they can put it on the sensor machine. A good mixer will be able to get it really close - even when the machine is a couple of shades off. I had to fix a hole in my wall a couple of years back and I'd never know that bit was repainted if I hadn't been the one to do it.

    • HeWhoKnows on 09/11/2021 - 08:24
      +15

      You did a fine job of repairing the hole
      The job now requires painting of the whole door on that side to finish the job.

      Nothing more other than removing the door stop since its in an inappropriate place

    • [Deactivated] on 10/11/2021 - 00:26
      +3

      You'd be surprised how easy it is now actually. I had to fill a large hole when an air conditioner was removed. I peeled some of the gyprock with paint on it off the wall, took it to Bunnings, they scanned it and the computer told them how much tint to add to a can of paint. Bought a brush for the edges first, then a roller for the rest of the wall. Painted that one wall and it was a 100% perfect match. You couldn't even tell that wall was painted and the two adjoining ones weren't.

      • mafmouf on 10/11/2021 - 07:29
        +1

        You're lucky. I had almost the same scenario, except the paint colour match was horrible. It ended up becoming a "feature wall" via another repaint.

  • geek001 on 08/11/2021 - 15:58
    +13

    get a test pot from Bunnings and paint over that spot.

    • Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 16:11
      +2

      Hi geek

      I will probably do that and see if I get a good result. So with the new painting and my previous fix, it should be fixed to ' a reasonable standard' no?

      • geek001 on 08/11/2021 - 16:27
        +5

        I think what you have done is fine. Just needed to repaint, should be considered fixed, unless the colour you chose is a totally different colour to the rest of the wall. :D

    • HeWhoKnows on 09/11/2021 - 08:29
      +15

      Note:

      Do NOT just paint the spot only. It will look obvious and terrible as you will never match the paint.

      The whole door surface on that side should be painted to do the job properly but a 500ml paint pot should suffice

      • jrvb42 on 09/11/2021 - 11:22
        +4

        If a landlord makes an insurance claim, and there are multiple holes in a wall, the insurance company only quotes/reimburses for the cost of spot painting - not the whole wall. This happened to me, and I wasn't happy obviously.
        Interesting that when a tenant is responsible and tries to do the right thing, which mine did not, that the entire door/wall/item has to be repainted before the agent will be satisfied.
        Lucky for them Wazza is trying their best - or maybe lucky they want the bond back.

        • Euphemistic on 09/11/2021 - 12:00
          +2

          If you get a good paint match, spot painting is fine. Best option is if there is spare pint avaible. Next best is taking a sliver of paint to the paint shop and getting a paint match but it’s often just wrong enough to look odd, in which case paint the entire section.

        • gromit on 09/11/2021 - 17:00
          +1

          interesting, I just went through an insurance claim for a leaking pipe in the wall. They actually repainted 4 walls, two had damage no more than a square foot and the other two was to ensure colour match throughout room. I didn't even need to ask for that, insurance assessor said it would be necessary to ensure perfect match.

          • diddy50 on 10/11/2021 - 13:33

            @gromit: This is exactly how it should be and was for me.

        • Mancandy on 10/11/2021 - 21:12

          WMMV with insurance providers. I made a claim that my garage ceiling had sunk (due to storms and water ingress through the ceiling tiles. The following was included in their repairs (and no extra cost above the excess)
          * replace the entire ceiling
          * paint the entire ceiling
          * replace the cornices
          * fully paint all the walls (even though they were perfectly fine, no damage from the storm whatsoever. they only painted it because they were scratched the top part while removing the cornice)
          * patched any minor holes in the walls before painting
          * provided a full service of my roller door (even though was working perfectly fine beforehand) they serviced it because they had to remove it during the works.

          So it surprises me that an insurance company wont even paint the entire wall for you.

      • dirtybigbjelke on 09/11/2021 - 18:00
        +1

        You don't need to paint the whole door you just need to blend the paint around the hole area around 1/5th the surface area of the door.

  • Mokr on 08/11/2021 - 16:02
    +1

    If you fixed it before you would of been fine, shame. Honestly looks okay, as other said need to sand and paint. Need to fix it before the agent does it next time.

    But the real way to fix it, is sand the entire wall then repaint. Obviously dont do that. Even a touch up with the right paint look off if you look at it.

    Youtube. Bascially.

    • Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 16:13
      +3

      Hi
      I used the repair kit 1 month before the inspection and I thought I did a decent job. Looks like the agent strongly disagree now. Anyway, thank you.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/11/2021 - 16:30
        +10

        If how you pictured it is how you left it for evaluation, then yes, there is 100% a difference between original and unfinished repair that is easily visible even on my uncalibrated monitor. It probably sticks out the like the proverbial dog's balls in real life.

      • HeWhoKnows on 09/11/2021 - 08:42

        You must paint the entire side of that door to ensure its all the same colour.

        Besides the inappropriate location of the door stop caused the problem which you can point out to the agent.

  • lunchbox99 on 08/11/2021 - 16:04
    +13

    You can buy a pre-hung internal door from bunnings for $60. They most likely wouldn't have known the difference.

    • Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 16:15
      +3

      I honestly never thought of replacing the whole door for this issue, thought it's easily fixable. Cheers

      • lunchbox99 on 08/11/2021 - 17:53
        +4

        Well it could turn into a big hassle if the predrilled holes don't match up.

        • onetwothreefour on 08/11/2021 - 18:40
          +11

          Bunnings charge about $180 to install, cheaper than a handyman.

          • TrustNoBody on 09/11/2021 - 09:52

            @onetwothreefour: Yes a handyman from my real estate quotes $250

          • bazingaa on 10/11/2021 - 14:14

            @onetwothreefour: can't we install it by ourself ? is there any building code or law regarding that (like should be installed by a licensed handyman )?

            • onetwothreefour on 10/11/2021 - 14:30
              +1

              @bazingaa: Yes you can, assuming it's not a fire door. I was just pointing out that you could get it done cheaper than the $500 the OP was quoted.

    • HeWhoKnows on 09/11/2021 - 08:43
      +1

      If OP can find the same size door

      • Euphemistic on 09/11/2021 - 12:01

        Not usually a problem. They are normally standard sizes.

        • Bristhrifty on 09/11/2021 - 14:43
          +2

          From my experience hanging doors is one of the biggest PITA jobs of all times unless your house is basically new and hasn't moved. If you're in an old house like a queenslander then the doors can be all different sizes, the handle can be in a strange location (not aligning with the reinforced part of the hollow door you're meant to drill into), the doorway is usually some weird trapezium shape. You can end up adding bits to the bottom of the door, planing bits off etc…total nightmare.

    • cashews on 09/11/2021 - 15:14
      +1

      He just has to paint the one he has now, which he'd have the whole door to paint if he got a new one.

  • pharkurnell on 08/11/2021 - 16:13
    +3

    Airtasker….

  • avoidfullprice on 08/11/2021 - 16:26
    +6

    Is this one of those mi goreng memes?

  • Euphemistic on 08/11/2021 - 16:27
    +4

    They are trying it on. Don’t let them get away with charging $500. If they insist, it’s time to go to whatever agency looks after rental disputes in your state.

    At most it’ll be an hours work to possibly fill and sand a bit, the paint the door. TBH they’ll just paint over as it’s a pretty smooth surface already.

    • Antikythera on 09/11/2021 - 12:06
      +4

      Tradies are overflowing with work at the moment. They are quoting "i dont want this job" prices and still getting work.

      source : am a public bar bartender.

      • Kangal on 09/11/2021 - 14:44
        +1

        I agree entirely

        source : am a clairvoyant

        • Euphemistic on 09/11/2021 - 15:28
          +5

          Not sure I agree.

          Source: an antagonist.

      • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 12:56

        The guy actually hung up on me like if he was saying " I'm not gonna do it even for $500" lol

    • readeral on 09/11/2021 - 17:33
      +2

      It’s an F-Off quote. They don’t want to do little jobs while bigger jobs are available

      • Euphemistic on 09/11/2021 - 18:03
        +2

        True, but it’s not uncommon for rental agencies to pump up quotes to get extra cash out of your bond.

    • duluxe2000 on 09/11/2021 - 19:20

      OP gets the quote himself, not from the agent.

      • Euphemistic on 09/11/2021 - 19:25

        Misread that. Normally this type of post is the agent’s handyman

  • iamherenow on 08/11/2021 - 16:28
    +9

    Not surprised the agent isn't happy if it's not painted! They will expect to not be able to see the repair.

    That repair will pop in again as soon as someone hits the door stop. If I was owner and saw initial pic I would want repair reinforced from behind. Or a new door.

    • Wazzza on 08/11/2021 - 16:38

      It is painted but I didn't take the last photo to show you. The colour is a bit off but not as in these pictures at all, Its better. I am going back to find a better or more suitable colour to match the door.

      I don't know what is the correct word but the door is 'hollow' from the inside. No matter how small the hole is, its empty inside. I personally don't believe the door should be replaced because of this. But I don't know much about fixing these things, thats why I seek your opinions before I do anything.

      Thank you

      • iamherenow on 08/11/2021 - 16:41
        +2

        Yeah because it's hollow the door is kind of stuffed without proper repair.

        If they accept it nicely pained, good for you.

        • knk on 09/11/2021 - 13:26
          +2

          +1 I'd want this door replaced not repaired if it were my rental.
          However considering poor stopper placement not sure who's fault it really is.

          • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 12:58

            @knk: All of the other doors in the house have the stopped placed on the ground and they don't damage the doors even when hit. This one is on top and pointed to the door. We were very gentle with this door for 2 years but 1 incident happened when I leaned towards the door while carrying a heavy drawer and it just opened all the way to hit the stopped. it wasn't even slammed :/

            • knk on 10/11/2021 - 13:18
              +3

              @Wazzza: I'd be telling the agent where to go. Tell them to take you to vcat if they have a problem.

              It really does not sound like it's your fault.

      • bobbified on 08/11/2021 - 17:29
        +13

        It is painted but I didn't take the last photo to show you. The colour is a bit off…..

        How much paint did you get and how off is the colour? If the colour is only slightly off and you have enough paint, then paint the whole door.

        And then switch the door with another one. When they come to check they're likely to only check that one door.

        • John Kimble on 08/11/2021 - 17:30
          +11

          And then switch the door with another one. When they come to check they're likely to only check that one door.

          Hahaha

        • Euphemistic on 08/11/2021 - 19:35
          +1

          And then switch the door with another one. When they come to check they're likely to only check that one door.

          Brilliant idea.

        • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:00

          huehuehue

          It's really slightly off! I did not expect the agent to call my fix "unacceptable".

      • knasty on 08/11/2021 - 17:37
        +4

        Colour match the paint but don't paint the spot; paint the whole side of the door. A 500mL sample pot from Bunnings is <$10.

        • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:03

          The agent stated that she wants someone "more capable" to fix this. Indicating that I must not try to fix it again myself. She also said the paint must be on both sides of the door so the colour on both sides is the same. Found a couple of people on Airtasker to do it (sand it then paints the door on both sides) for $90. Had to agree with it as the agent started talking about deducting out of the bond and I know they will overcharge me.

  • fullmetal on 08/11/2021 - 16:34
    +1

    You used the wrong joining tape, a hole that significant need a proper joining tape. I suggest the green tape with Sir John Monash face on it. If one is not strong enough stick a few it should do the job. There is no need to repaint either, the fresher the better.

    • pharkurnell on 08/11/2021 - 23:02

      Bit late.

    • Tonyh87 on 09/11/2021 - 10:08
      +13

      No need to call him an A hole for using the wrong tape

      • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:04

        huehuehue

  • Drakesy on 08/11/2021 - 16:54
    +3

    As much as i hate landlords i have to agree in this case.
    That looks pretty average.
    Also the fact that it still hits the door stop location would make you think that it's going to degrade pretty fast from wear and tear - no longer in line with the original door.
    Would need a better colour match minimum

    • fantombloo on 08/11/2021 - 17:30
      +24

      This is actually the landlord's problem. The door should have something there for the stop - a stop plate / metal kick plate or similar. A cheap door is gonna suffer with anything less than extra care. Just because such cost cutting is a common thing now doesn't mean it's appropriate, especially for a rental.

      Landlord cheaps out with a cheap door? Tenant should respond with a cheap fix.

      • Drakesy on 08/11/2021 - 17:38
        -2

        Yes
        But maybe not for doors that could get slammed
        Tenant shouldn't slam the door
        Normal wear and tear would consist of paint wearing
        Not a gaping hole

        Interior doors are thing and light because they're not exposed to the elements

        • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:08

          No one slammed the door :/

          • Drakesy on 10/11/2021 - 13:10

            @Wazzza: So how did a gaping hole get there?

            • 811b11e8 on 10/11/2021 - 16:05

              @Drakesy: He leaned on the door.. The door stop is in the wrong spot it should be near the reinforced part of the door.

      • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:08
        +1

        We lived in the house for two years. After living there for a while I noticed they did cheap out of many things including the doors and door handles. We were really careful with everything but with this door, it was going to happen 100%. We were the first tenants to occupy the house. I will tell the agent this should be repostioned.

  • John Kimble on 08/11/2021 - 16:55
    +5

    I Was Quoted $500 to Fix This Door

    Tell 'im 'e's dreamin'

    Pretty stupid place to put a door stopper…it'll just keep happening over and over.

  • Jimmycfc on 08/11/2021 - 17:42
    +2

    As people have suggested buy a sample pot from bunnings that looks like the same colour.
    Sand it down and paint over it

  • Earl of Lemongrab on 08/11/2021 - 18:00
    +2

    Good job OP. Paint it and done.

  • backpaqer on 08/11/2021 - 18:21
    +5

    A handyman could buy a brand new door from Bunnings for $55, Bunnings charge $185 to install said door…can't see how painting whole said door would chew thru $260.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/11/2021 - 19:30
      +7

      Somebody gotta cover the 10 smoko breaks, 3 mrs mac servo pies, 2 farmers union iced coffee, and a pack of darts and it certainly is not gonna be the handyman

  • holdenmg on 08/11/2021 - 18:42
    +2

    I'm not a builder but I can see your problem.

    You need to remove all the other extraneous material surrounding the area in question leaving it (and only it) with nothing for it to be contrasted with or be compared against.*

    *This may make a bad situation worse.

    I'm glad you reached out and we had this talk. :+)

  • The Value on 08/11/2021 - 18:45
    +1

    Try Airtasker, set a price and go from there.

    • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:10

      I did that. They wanted to charge at least $150 until I found someone who will do it for $90. Thanks for the advice

  • dasher86 on 08/11/2021 - 19:12
    +7

    I would argue that the door damage was fair wear and tear.
    It looks like a cheap door and the door stopper was installed in the wrong spot and did not do what it was supposed to do.

    • BreezyPalms on 09/11/2021 - 19:57

      I think the same. Is the door stop likely to cause the same problem again? If yes, then it is a design flaw rather than damage.

  • Niroshansira on 08/11/2021 - 19:45
    +1

    I wonder how that happened ?
    count to 10 next time when you are angry

    • Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:10
      +2

      Thanks for the advice Dr. Phill

  • ranap on 08/11/2021 - 19:55
    +3

    This door had a hole in it because of the door stopper which was fixed/located at the top of the wall behind the door.

    Who installed the door stopper? Was this something you did?
    I know it it is too late now but if the Door stopper was fixed when you got there and it was damaging the door, you could have just informed the agent earlier rather than let it damage the door.
    In my rental unit, the laminate flooring is very poorly laid with gaps in panels easily visible on the boundary wall. This has gradually increased over time. I just let the agent know right now that the laminate flooring is badly laid and the gap is increasing. I am hoping when I move out now, I am not held responsible for that damage for their shoddy penny pinching installation job.

    • pharkurnell on 08/11/2021 - 23:08

      You know they'll try it on!!!

      you been takin photos each week for 'proof' ?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join