As a company, we pride ourselves on leaving a job when it’s finished, absolutely spick and span, and very clean, but what happens if you are having other work done and the tradesman or contractor leaves a mess?
They could have actually done some really high quality work, but not everyone cleans up after themselves, the mucky pups.
There is nothing worse than having a tradesman come to your house, do some work, and leave it a total mess.
Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to get your house back to looking good.
The first thing you need to do is ask for a refund, or part refund if they refuse to come back and clean up the mess, but you don’t want to wait around too long for your money.
Getting rid of waste left behind by a bad contractor.
If you are a business that produces waste, then you may be interested in finding out if you qualify for a waste carrier license.
This is a special permit that is required for all tradespeople in the UK.
Some landfills will accept industrial and commercial wastes, but it’s important to check before you haul away any items.
One way you can avoid paying for a waste carrier license is to find a professional waste removal company.
These companies often offer a full service, including the removal of all the trash in one big skip. You can also save time and money by hiring them to do the job for you.
Whether you need a small or large amount of rubbish removed, a waste contractor can do the job quickly and efficiently.
Having your waste hauled away in a single trip is also easier and more convenient than having it stacked up in your garage or garden.
Anyway, onto the homeowner advice.
So you have had work done to your house?
It could be an extension, a new roof, some electrical work and maybe you have had a new bathroom constructed?
You may be happy with the work but if you are now left to clean up their mess, it kind of sours the whole thing.
Of course if you have just had major work done such as extension or a full re-render, you must expect at least some mess, after all the saying goes, you can’t make an omelette without cracking a few eggs.
It is best to focus your mind on the quality of work they have done rather than the fact you had to sweep up once the men left.
Assess the problem before taking action.
OK you maybe feeling let down by the person you had around to do the work but being honest some trades traditionally leave their mess behind for you to clear up, electricians is one trade that springs to my mind.
This maybe due to the fact they do not have a waste carriers licence, or it could be that they believe the mess is your problem, not theirs?
Take stock. Have a look at the mess.
Are you being too fussy, or have they really left a right state behind?
Have they actually broken anything?
It is best to take a good look around before the contractor leaves your property, especially if they are waiting to get paid!
They may grumble, but if your concerns are legitimate, and they know they won’t get paid until they sort the problem, that really is the best way to get it done. Money talks.
Make a list of the issue, even if it is to contact them with your grievances.
But again if it’s one small cardboard box left behind and that is it, maybe you ARE being too fussy?
Check any paperwork/contract to see if they are legally liable to clear up their mess?
If in the text it does NOT specifically say they will “remove all waste materials” then tough luck (!) you will have to clear it up yourself.
Stuff like old paperwork, packaging, cardboard can be placed in your domestic recycling bin without issue.
Again I must stress this is a blog post for information only, our own contractors ALWAYS clean up our mess and many customers report that we have left their home cleaner than when they arrived!
After you have assessed the issue, if there really is an issue at all, you can then plan what action to take.
- Clear it up yourself and get on with your life?
- Be a pain and contact the tradesmen and ask them to return and clear up?
- Get a cleaning company or waste contractor to come and collect the rubbish.
It really does depend on how much mess they have made, and what the mess consists of.
If you think they have really messed up big time, especially if something has been damaged, and they refuse to rectify or compensate you for the loss, you may wish to contact a legal representative.
Many small time contractors, when faced with the prospect of legal action, will sort the issue out before it goes to court.
However they are not going to get a 5 star review or a recommendation from you are they?
If you elect to tidy up yourself, here are the typical issues you may face, and what action to take.
Paint splatters, drips, overspray.
Some painters and decorators are not as tidy as others, usually the more you pay for a higher quality job, the less likely you will be faced with cleaning up afterwards.
Don’t choose the cheapest quote in the first place, and never ever choose someone who is available immediately or next week. If they have no work and no client waiting list, there will be a good reason for that.
Paint can usually be easily cleaned off, however this needs to be done very soon after the work is completed.
The longer you leave it, the harder it will be to remove.
In the case of interior decorating, often the paint is emulsion, water based, and can be removed with warm water and a washing up sponge. Bigger blobs of paint will usually be removed with warm water and a scraper or knife.
If they have painted internal doors or skirting boards, it is likely to be gloss paint.
This can usually be cleaned using white spirit or brush cleaner, available from all DIY shops.
Paint drips or splats on windows should be removed with a paint scraper tool, which is usually a plastic item with a razor blade in it.
You can get them any DIY shop for no more than about 3 quid.
Careful of your fingers and also use it lightly as being “rough” with it could scratch the glass.
Any overspray from a spray applied exterior wall coating, can be easily cleaned with an old rag and white spirit.
Paint spots on paths and drives can usually be removed using a wire brush.
Builders rubble
Most builders will remove all the waste they create but not all, again it depends on how good a choice you have made in the tradesman (or woman) you have got to do the work.
Sometimes a mound of rubble is useful to someone for what is known as “hardcore” (ooer missus!), no not THAT sort of hard core, but rubble can be used by someone else to fill in voids when constructing something, or as a hard filler for laying a concrete base.
Or basically a woman will call you as they want a hole filled.
No stop it.
You can advertise this for free on sites like gumtree or facebook marketplace but don’t expect them to pay you, it is them who is doing you a favour in removing it.
Old paint cans
If you have had your house painted, whether it was external painting or interior painting, the men may have left old and part used paint cans behind.
There are several ways to dispose of old tins of paint but whatever you do , do NOT pour it down the drains.
Remember whatever goes down your drain eventually ends up in the river or the sea, so think carefully and do not do that.
They may have left you a small sample for “touching up” (fnarr fnarr) I digress….. and this is normal but paint has a surprisingly short shelf life, even shorter once the can has been opened, so after 6 months they will have to be thrown away anyway.
You must take old paint cans, whether empty, half full or whatever, to your local landfill.
For larger amount of old paint, there are companies who offer a paint recycling service.
In the case of complete and unopened can of paint, if you cannot use them elsewhere in the home, ask a friend or neighbour whether they can use it?
Once a paint can has been opened, air gets to the mixture and the solvents begin to separate.
If the tin is more than a few months old, it will be rendered useless and you will not be able to use it.
The photo above is a can of Dulux masonry paint which is a year old.
As you can see the various parts of the mixture have separated.
No amount of mixing will cure it and you should dispose of it, it is now useless.
A word of caution also, old stock paint can often end up in discount stores, for a seemingly bargain price but do not be fooled.
It may have a well known brand on the tin but this is stock that the paint company has literally thrown away and you will get a very poor result if used.
Cardboard boxes.
If you have had appliances fitted, or maybe tiling a room, or something like that, it is likely that the new parts/items came in boxes.
Your tradesman may not want to take them away, so what do you do with leftover cardboard?
Luckily cardboard is fully recyclable, so small amounts can be placed in bin bags and put into your recycling bin.
However large amounts, such as above, need a more robust approach.
Leftover cardboard can be burned on a bonfire, if you have enough outside space at your house to do that.
Alternatively you can take them to your local council recycling centre.
Alternatively are there any boxes that you can reuse inside the home for storage?
You can always call a waste removal service to take them away also.
Good boxes sometimes can be given away for free, so find out if you know of anyone moving house soon.
Asbestos waste.
CAUTION: This is advice which you must take seriously if any work on your home has involved removing or altering a structure or element of your home with asbestos.
This is a banned construction product and should be approached with great care. It is now known as a “controlled substance” and there are various health and safety implications.
Asbestos often comes in corrugated sheets, with a certain texture, just like below.
The material was widely used in construction right up until the 1970’s when it became clear of the hazardous nature of it.
You will typically find asbestos in:
- Corrugated roofing sheets (as above)
- Insulation (especially if installed before 1986)
- Roofing materials
- Ceiling tiles
- Pipes
- water tanks or toilet cisterns
- Exterior textured wall coatings, applied before 1986.
- Some drywall/plasterboard products
If you think you have asbestos around your home you should firstly NOT touch it , and especially do not try and remove it yourself.
It is at the most dangerous when being broken or ripped out as it releases fibres, which get into your lungs and cause permanent damage.
The most common asbestos found in the home, especially older homes, is roofing sheets, usually on a lean to, a shed or garage roof.
If your contractor has left behind asbestos sheeting, do NOT touch it, do not allow animals anywhere near it (you do NOT want fido the dog to be licking the sheets that is for sure)
You must contact a licensed asbestos removal company to take it away. They are regulated by the HSE and the government and can be found online,. Check their licence is valid before getting them around.
When they take it away, stay inside and well away from the work.
Mortar spots
If you have work done such as rendering, tyroleaning or repointing there is a chance that small spots of sand and cement mortar may have got onto window sills.
It is important to get rid of this before it dries rock hard as it will be difficult to remove.
Soften the area with warm water as much as you can and use a scraper to remove. For larger items use a chisel.
Be careful if you are trying to remove a mortar spot on a UPVC window sill as this can easily scratch the plastic.
In summary.
In summing what we have learned today, if you choose the RIGHT contractor, you should not be left with any mess to clear up afterwards, however if that was the case you would not be sat there at home reading this!
Everyone has their own standards of cleanliness.
I know some homes we have visited in the past, it makes you wonder how they can live in such filth and clutter, but most of our customers take pride in their homes and enjoy a clutter-free and clean home.
Please follow the steps above and the mess will be gone in no time at all.
If you choose ourselves to have work done to your home, rest assured we ALWAYS leave your home clean and tidy, a pity others trades do not follow our example!
Alex