Finer Edge Painting & Improvements

We hired Finer Edge to revitalize our custom wood storm door, frame and threshold, as well as to paint our exterior stucco and trim. We are very pleased with the result of the exterior stucco and trim. We are less than pleased with how our wood front entrance turned out. When we consulted with the visiting Finer Edge sales representative we clearly requested to have our wood storm door, frame and threshold sanded and stained. On our written contract it states: “Front door: Sand, stain, urethane front door and frame/threshold, one-side storm door”. The cost alone for the front entrance was $580 plus tax, which we thought was reasonable for the work involved. Based on the cost, which was not the lowest, what we agreed upon, and the positive reviews on Homestars, we choose Finer Edge over a number of other companies listed on Homestars. We were asked to choose a new stain and had the expectation that our old wood front entrance would look completely refinished with the new stain. After the first day on the job, the front entrance looked cleaned up and we asked if it would then be sanded and stained and to our surprise we were told that it had already been done and they were going to apply the urethane next. The terms sand and stain during our onsite consultation and on our contract ended up being just a light sanding of the surface, which was not down to the wood and an application of the new stain over the old stain. Had we known this and had this been made clear to us, which it wasn’t, we would not have proceeded. I have posted before and after pictures to show this. Before the work was performed, there were grey areas along the bottom half of the entrance. The front door itself, behind the storm door was not part of the work, but we choose a stain which would match the front door. When the sales representative visited us, he even said that they may have to take the storm door to their shop to get it done properly, but when the work started they didn’t take it at all and just did the work onsite. The after result can be clearly seen in the photo. Most of the grey is gone on the threshold but it can still be seen on the bottom pillars of frame on the far left and right. The storm door and frame does not look anything like the new stain we choose, which should have been closer in colour to the front door. The new stain was just applied over the old stain and can be seen by the unevenness of it. Had it been fully sanded, it would have been uniform. The entrance looks slightly better and shinier with the multiple coats of urethane that they applied, but it is not what we expected when we asked to have it sanded and restained. Our friends and neighbours barely noticed the difference and even asked when the work would be started. That all said, I would still recommend Finer Edge for painting and I give them a 10 for that, but I have to knock of points because of the front entrance. I would not recommend them for any sanding and staining of wood work.