I Was Quoted $500 to Fix This Door

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    Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:11

    I agree I should have mentioned it to the agent a while back but I didn't think they would remove it/replace it.

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  USER DC on 08/11/2021 - 20:00

  Oh that's simple to fix

  Just $20 on CC and internet to place order on
  https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=Posters+%26+Prints&ref=cb_inte…

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  Gronk on 09/11/2021 - 09:12

  +1

  Looks like it just needs to be painted to me…

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  OzHunterNSW on 09/11/2021 - 09:27

  +6

  If this is your handiwork, good job, and this is ALL the property Managers need, apart from a paint job.

  If this is a job conducted by a "handyman" and they want $500… tell them to F$%# O##.

  It's a 5min job, with $5 worth of materials, if that.

  Tell them them to send the invoice, (ensure they provide their BUILDER's LICENCE - include materials, and labour) then tell them you are in the process of seeking legal advice from the Dep of Fair Trading.

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    Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:13

    The agent has told me to seek out a professional to fix it as I did not do a good job otherwise they will go after the bond. I booked someone to do it, hopefully, they can give me a receipt for the work too. Thanks for your reply

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    KLoNe on 10/11/2021 - 14:38

    +1

    Fair Trading? LOL

    Tradie: "No problems, That'll be $500."

    Cheap renter on OzBargain: "LOL! NO WAY! I'll spend 4 whole days bitching on a forum about this!!!!!!"
    Tradie goes to his next job who happily pays for his years of expertise

    Renter with decent job: "OK"
    Fixed perfectly the next day and everyone is happy

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    bradl822 on 10/11/2021 - 21:23

    Links to $5 of items or it never happened?

    Also 5 minutes, have you watched paint dry mate?

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  afah0447 on 09/11/2021 - 11:24

  Welcome to the world of renting and tradie prices in Oz!

  Just paint the whole door and it should be nearly invisible as it looks like a half decent job. Cheaper than $500 or if they drag you through a tribunal.

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  jrvb42 on 09/11/2021 - 11:27

  +1

  If the door-stop caused the damage due to being in an inappropriate place, or badly fitted, I'd be arguing that you've already done more than you need to - unless you abused the door in some way (slamming, etc). Of course, they'd say you should have pointed out the door-stop was poorly fitted, and so on.
  Paint the door and move on.

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    pndl on 09/11/2021 - 13:47

    +1

    Agree, wouldn't even paint the door. If the door stop was fitted in a way that would damage the door, then it is partly their fault. You have done enough to meet them half way.
    Just fill in the form to claim you bond back, it is for them to prove their claim at the tribunal if they want to pursue it. Not much to lose, as costs are not awarded.

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    initiateit on 09/11/2021 - 16:31

    Door stoppers aren't there to stop door slams but it shouldn't be where the hollow part of the door is anyway.

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  Euphemistic on 09/11/2021 - 12:03

  +5

  Tell the agent you’ve completed the repair and want to join them for an inspection. As they go to look at the door ‘accidentally’ bump into them forcing the door onto the stopper.

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    Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:15

    Huehuehue

    I would love to bump into them just because of how rude they are :(

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  deme on 09/11/2021 - 14:12

  I'll do it for $499

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    blehgg on 09/11/2021 - 15:46

    $452 + GST.

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  kaleidoscope on 09/11/2021 - 15:46

  did you install the stopper? if not go to disputes settlement as it is improperly installed

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  badg3rz on 09/11/2021 - 15:52

  You will need take a paint sample (either from the hole or some other place that is thick enough otherwise you will not get the same shade of colour) and take it to Bunnings or a paint place. They have a special tool or laser to match, grab some undercoat, 1 - 2 litre paint, small roller and you can do it yourself.

  With the left over paint just keep it incase there is other mishaps.

  Personally I wouldn't get the real estate agent involved again as they would be checking that area for problems. The less you point out or don't point out, the better for you.

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  serpserpserp on 09/11/2021 - 16:22

  +1

  Seriously if you paint it. Should be fine. If I was the landlord I'd be happy with that fix and a paint up. I mean it won't be an issue to rent the place again.

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  initiateit on 09/11/2021 - 16:30

  +3

  It's a hollow core door. It's basically fooked. The only one way you could fix it without compromising strength is to fill the entire area with builders bog. It will set rock hard and never crack.

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  funnysht on 09/11/2021 - 17:14

  +2

  remember to claim that bunnings stuff on tax as well

  good job

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  dirtybigbjelke on 09/11/2021 - 18:03

  +5

  I repaired a hollow internal door by filling with expanding foam then trimming/sanding the excess. Then a skim coat and sand that. I took a loose piece of the damaged door with the old paint on it and had Bunnings do the computer match. Then I blended the paint in with the old paint on the door by painting an area about 1/5th the total area of the door so the repair area was not obvious. This repair is still good nearly 20 years later.

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  Ronerrlaw on 09/11/2021 - 19:34

  +2

  Patch looks okay, but you need to finish the job.

  Use some 120 grit sandpaper about $1.80 a sheet from bunnings, then need to paint it.

  Ask your agent for the paint colour, some won't give it to you. In that case take a sample to bunnings and they can match it.

  Alot of rentals use flat white or low sheen vivid white, but you need to make sure you match it. Use a roller to paint it on, can get a whole painting kit for around $10, paint will be anywhere up to $50.

  Make sure you paint the entire door, because if you only paint the section it will look patchy.

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  Bob Svargis on 09/11/2021 - 19:50

  +1

  Looks ok. Sand the whole door (you don’t have to go back to bare timber, it just needs to be even). Prime it, then topcoat. Easy, albeit time consuming.

  If you try to paint the damage repair only, it probably won’t look right as it will be difficult to blend in. That’s why I recommend sanding/priming/painting the whole door panel.

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    Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 13:16

    I found someone to do exactly that. I will see the result after it's done. Thank you for your advice.

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    Euphemistic on 10/11/2021 - 13:55

    That’s If you want to do it properly. If you want to do it quick, give the door a quick run with some sandpaper or a scotch rite pad and give it a top coat.

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  Davo1111 on 09/11/2021 - 19:57

  -2

  OP should pay the full $500 for thinking that would pass inspection

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  squaredonut on 09/11/2021 - 21:17

  Yeah sanding it and painting it would be cheaper, like a cheap sanding machine would only cost like $40, and a small tin of white paint would be like $20.

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  PopCounty on 09/11/2021 - 21:41

  +1

  Airtasker.
  You would be surprised what quotes you may get.
  Something from $100 to $1000.
  You be the judge then.

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  quikchip on 09/11/2021 - 22:12

  +1

  Do your best and bog the rest.

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  OzzyOzbourne on 10/11/2021 - 00:10

  +2

  Take it to vcat, you are not responsible for a new door. Owner will have already claimed depreciation on tax and maximum you are responsible for is the current value of the door which will be very low $.

  Were you responsible for the door stopper location? I suspect not unless you moved it. Hence you would likely not be responsible for the damage at all.

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  Wazowski on 10/11/2021 - 05:25

  Should have just got a metal stop plate and stuck it over the hole. Alternatively used newspaper behind the hole, and Agnew's multi purpose filler to fill it. Would go rock hard. From the looks of it you used plaster which is no good for a door.

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  eatwell365 on 10/11/2021 - 06:48

  +2

  honestly easy fix - used to kick/punch holes on the walls/doors as teenager. fix holes within 10 mins before parents notice. you did well in the photos. just sand it with a block ($1 sandpaper and a small piece of wood) + sample pot paint ($15) - paint dry paint. Done ✅

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  bluehorse on 10/11/2021 - 06:51

  +1

  I renovate a bit; for finish carpentry repair any quote that is roughly 30-40% materials 70-60% labour is on the money. So yes a painted and hung cheapo door done by a pro is reasonable at $500.

  The way to test if you will see plaster through paint is to close your eyes and use your hands to rub all over the surface; if you feel it (the patch) you will see it. I reckon you could get a better taper on that patch; the dark rings I can see will show through 2 coats (on an angle with the sun/light flat across the surface.

  [PAUSE - to imagine you pressed hard against your door sensually rubbing your door patch in small rhythmic circles with your plaster powdered fingertips, eyes closed………………………………hmmmmm yep]

  Tools and materials matter; a skim coat plaster or ‘topcoat’ will produce best results. I consider a sanding float with 180grit mesh necessary. The patch should ‘dome’ 1mm say off at centre of patch and then taper back across say 5-10cm radius with indetectable taper to door surface. You stuff top coat up just try again (a day per try because takes 12-24hrs to dry ready for another attempt at a gentle, light touch sand with mesh on float. Must use primer across all new plaster surface (the tapered patch) or topcoat paint will not stick to plaster like it does to a previously topcoat painted door. Must paint whole door side.

  Maybe just just pay the $500?

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  antanthohe on 10/11/2021 - 08:49

  The high quote is probably because the person doesn't really want to do such a small job and also the time taken to wait for the filler to dry, then to paint x2.
  I think you did a great job with the filler - just needs to be painted. It might be easier just to re-paint the whole door so it matches up. Probably can paint a whole door with a sample pot of paint you will need to get anyway. Use a small roller

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  PurchaseAnxiety on 10/11/2021 - 12:00

  Was the damage caused by negligence (e.g. kicking the door open) or did it occur through normal use? If the latter, is the same door stop used elsewhere in the house? If so, I'd be looking at the other doors to see if there's any noticeable signs of damage and excessive wear caused by the door stops. If you can demonstrate that the doorstop isn't suitable for those doors, I'd say you've already been generous with your efforts and would have every right to let the landlord take it from here.

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  Hangryuman on 10/11/2021 - 14:38

  -1

  $90 out of yore pocket ?

  if the cheap door was installed with a badly positioned doorstop that ended up punching a hole in it from normal use

  then it's not your fault if it was damaged as a result of a cheap poor installation - I'd claim 'fair wear and tear'

  put it back on the agent/owner - not my fault, if you try and take it out of my bond, ima go to tribunal and that would almost certainly cost the agent/owner $200+preparation - maybe $500 - so if they're sensible they'll fold right there.

  if they didn't pick it up earlier, again not your fault - their fault for failing to inspect regularly.

  (P.S. I see both sides - rented many years, owned/self-managed rental properties many years, now on strata committees repairing things every day)

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  dinduboy14 on 10/11/2021 - 15:54

  try airtasker if all fails.. maybe it might cost less than the quotes provided.

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  moneyhungry on 10/11/2021 - 17:41

  -1

  You think you going to do a half ass patch on a door and expect to get away with it. Shine your phone light sideways on the patch and see how crap it is.

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    Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 18:56

    +3

    Like I said earlier, I didnt take a photo after I was done. The fix looks better than the photos here. I didn't do half ass patch and hoped to 'get away' with it. I am not a fraud. I always leave any rental property as good as it was when I moved in. Never had issues with agents or had our bonds deducted for any reason.

    I cared so much about the house and seeked advice on ozbargain to fix it properly.

    You are rude.

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      moneyhungry on 11/11/2021 - 06:36

      That looks like a flush finish door, you should of patched it without the mesh piece. Unfortunately, no matter how good you think it's fixed, the patch will be noticeable in certain angles.

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  Wazzza on 10/11/2021 - 18:58

  +3

  I want thank everyone for their advice and opinions you guys have helped me understand how to approach this and how to avoid similar situation in the future. I am glad I discussed this with you guys. Thank you again <3

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    kiriakoz on 11/11/2021 - 19:40

    +1

    Once it gets solved, please let us know how you went. I just found this post but I read all of the comments. You got some good advice.

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  Ash SA on 11/11/2021 - 12:30

  I had a similar door issue in my place. I fixed the door with repair kit and then stick a giant cloth hanging hook strip. Problem solved.

  EDIT: but in my case the crack was much higher and I could hang the clothes there on the hook. In your case, if it was below that height, installing a mirror would make sense.

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  Marty131 on 11/11/2021 - 13:08

  +5

  Quick fix: Switch the door with another one of same colour / design / size in the house. When they come to inspect the "repaired" door, they won't bother to re-check all the other doors in the house. Win!

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    Brumby92 on 11/11/2021 - 13:13

    +1

    Genius move. Sounds like the real estate agent is a prick. I reckon he did a fine job. Just needs to be painted.

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    yokel on 11/11/2021 - 13:27

    +1

    This guy must always be getting bond back in full haha. I’d still smooth over the bog job and cover with sample pot paint

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  dufflover on 11/11/2021 - 16:18

  +1

  This is sounding a bit suss after pulling together the info from the comments too. Would be ironic if the door had the issue because it was a dodgy DIY install by the landlord who put the stopper in the wrong spot, if the rest of the place has typical cheapest or DIY written all over it.

  OP will probably paint both sides of the door for consistency then the agent starts saying they need to deduct bond to paint all the doors or frames to a matching colour.

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  ZilogX on 11/11/2021 - 17:12

  -1

  Without reading all the other replies $500 is right. - actually

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  hotpotato on 11/11/2021 - 18:54

  You can ask Bunning to try matching the color if you have some sample, or just go to Bunning and take all the white/yellowishwhite color cards that are similar to your door color ( from different paint brands as well). Stick the cards onto the door using bluetag, look at them from differen angles. Pick the one that is closes to the door color. Go back to bunning and get the same color in a sample pot from the same brand.

  It will give you the closes match. If you need to paint the whole door and one sample pot is not enought, get another one.

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  utsc on 11/11/2021 - 20:37

  You may have made a deal with the agent saying that the door stopper was not installed properly but offer to install a new door but with only primer. Owner can paint the door when they paint the house again.

  This might be a fairer resolution unless the hole was as a result of your gross negligence

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  NotBot on 11/11/2021 - 20:41

  +2

  A couple of things to watch out for that they might try to catch you out on next:

  • Try asking if they know the name of the paint colour if they are that concerned about an exact match.
  • Protect the hinges and also protect or remove the handles to ensure no paint splashes or damage. Mask the trim and use a drop sheet.
  • Sand the door with 120grit, wash with detergent and water then once dry use a primer/sealer before painting to make sure the paint bonds (Can see agent trying to lightly scratch it off to ensure a “professional” job was done).
  • If you want to avoid sanding the whole door to prevent an annoying clean up job, you can use a primer such as Dulux precision maximum strength adhesion primer.
  • Use a short nap paint roller (4mm or so) to prevent orange peel look and keep paint finish consistent to what it was.
  • If you are worried they won’t be happy with the strength of your repair (which looks good to me), there is a product from Bunnings called Pfeiffer 15cm plaster wall repair patch. It has a metal plate in the middle and will stop the door stop going back through it.

  Would advise you to only paint the damaged side of the door as doing the other side is opening you up for more potential rework if they aren’t happy with that or something goes wrong. All the best and hope you get your bond back in full, have been in a similar position before.

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