Contractor nickel and diming

[Glenn Espinosa]

I got a call from my contractor today. After three coats, the ceiling paint isn't sticking and they need money for kilz, new paint as well as for labor to repaint. I have no problem paying for the kilz and paint (although an argument could be made for the paint) but I'm angry that they would charge to repaint.

After a coat or two someone should have realized that the paint wasnt sticking and that it needed to be primered first.

I argued that the labor charge was ridiculous but they weren't having it. I need the ceiling done so the floors can come in tomorrow so I'm in a bind, unfortunately.

Would anyone else pay for the labor charge? Granted it's $150 but small nickel and dime charges like this add up quickly.

[Dave Barnard]

A knowledgeable painter should have planned on doing his job correctly and therefore charged you accordingly. Now after completeing his job in an inferior manner, he wants to do it right and charge more? I agree with Matt and J Scott that $150.00 is probably not worth arguing over given your time frame.
As a licensed contractor myself, if I were to overlook something that was needed in order to complete my proposed task, I would have to "eat it", complete the needed work and not charge my customer.