new internal doors and marks

Just had new internal doors fitted at a cost of 2,300, for seven doors, incl. one with stained glass, and varnishing. Surrounds were already pine, so it was only the doors and locks that needed to be done.

However, now find that it is very difficult to get the marks off them, some marks won't come out even with bleach. Talked to a friend of mine and he said they should have been lacqured rather than varnished. The door surrounds which were originally there can be washed easily with a warm cloth, and the marks come off no problem.

The guy who did them was a neighbour and a son-in-law of my cleaning lady. Mentioned to the cleaning-lady that her I was upset about it, and he would have to do something about it, as I could not give him other work - new ensuite and conversion of garage - unless he did so.

Now both of them are really annoyed, saying I'm being too fussy - have young kids so doors will be marked every day - Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Also, was this amount fairly o.k. for doing this job or was it too much?

What kind of marks are they - ones that were on the door when he finished or ones from day to day dirt? Were the doors sanded down properly?

I varnished all my doors over a year ago & they are fine - just wipe them down every now & again, don;t get any subborn marks.

Also - why did you compalin to his mum-in-law? Surely you should have approached him directly.

elainem said:

Also, was this amount fairly o.k. for doing this job or was it too much?

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It's a bit late to be wondering if the price is too much!

Sounds pricey to me.

You should have gotten a couple of other quotes for comparison or indeed posted on this website before you wnet ahead.

By the way you should have posted this in Homes & Gardens. Perhaps a moderator will move the thread for you. You will get more responses there and someone should have an idea of what 7 doors supply & fit should cost.

Prices for doors vary widely some doors can cost as little as €50, or you could spend hundreds on a door.
In my supplier for door furniture quotes nice handles €15 to €45, hinges €5 to €25, locks around €15 I was quoted €500 for 2 pieces of stained glass about a year ago. I don't think €2300 is a huge amount if they are nice doors.
Regarding the finish on the doors I think varnish is a nicer finish than lacquer and its harder to put on the door as well.
Regarding marks on doors I did a job for a close relative she gave out to me for not cleaning the doors before I finished them, she brought me up to see the marks on her doors....they were knots!!!
In your case my guess is the marks on the doors is probably filler.

I do hope you don't fall out with these people

Hi! everyone, thanks for the replies. SLF, I don't think the marks are filler, as they are grey/black - the kind you might get from newspaper print.

I hope I don't fall out with them either. Almost sorry I mentioned it now, but can't afford to waste over €2,000 either, and don't want to the guy to do other jobs unless they are done properly. Don't mind so much if someone is expensive, but I do mind if the job is not well done.

Thanks again.

Elainem.