JR Shirley from New Westminster

Disclaimer: My insurance paid for this service, so in a roundabout way I paid for it. I have put $1 in the cost box as I don't have a final number on what my insurer paid to Bender. This is a warning: this company does not ultimately stand behind their work, and you may be left with problems you need to fix yourself or pay someone else to get it properly done. Story below if you'd care to read. When a fire damaged our condo, the insurers paid for a complete repainting, and hired "their people," Bender Painting. A quick look at Bender's website will tell you restoration work is their gig. They were friendly and professional, in general. But problems began when it came time for finishing touches. Bender's painter had informed me that he would return to do baseboards and touch-ups after we were back in. There was no explanation given as to what "touch ups" meant. When the painter eventually did return, we asked him to fill and touch up a small spot that had somehow been dented in our kitchen ceiling. He said "sure." Unfortunately, the paint he used for the touch-up was not the same paint as the previous work, and after drying was an obvious blotch. Bender sent the painter back with the "correct" paint. However, after it dried, it is obviously not the correct paint as there is a large, obvious paint blotch on our ceiling. The painter said they'd likely have to repaint the entire ceiling. We were fine with that, despite the interruption it would cause. The Bender project manager (Andrew), however, was NOT fine with that, and told us it was our problem, implying they had done us a favour in the first place, that the ceiling dent wasn't their fault, blah, blah, blah. I explained that the source of the original dent was irrelevant; the horrible job in repainting it, by his crew, was unacceptable. At that point he offered to repaint the entire ceiling with me paying his "cost." Essentially this told me he was done with the conversation. Based on this, I would not give Bender painting a single dollar, ever again. The remainder of their paint job was ok, nothing special. If you have a fire or flood, ASK your insurance company (or restoration company) who they use as a painter. If it's Bender, say "no way." No one wants to give business to a company that doesn't stand 100% behind its work.

When a fire forced us to do a fast reno, we couldn't wait for "affordable" friends. It was also crucial that work be done to code. We chose GLE as they were readily available. Peter arrived on time, provided the promised quote (reasonable), and got to work. He was courteous and had additional good ideas.