Poor Quality Work & Breach of Contract

<p>I enlisted the services of African Enterprises Trading Pty Ltd T/A COATINGWORX to paint the interior and exterior of my property (with Prominent Paints) and other renovation requests.  They came in and assessed the property explaining the amount of preparation would be required and quoted me accordingly, total quote equating to R136,337.05.  I accepted based on the premise that Coating Worx were professional painting contractors. </p> <p> </p> <p>The project start date was 19 September 2016 and projected completion date was set as 19-26 October 2016.  I was informed that 7 professional painters would work on the exterior and 4 professional employees would work on the interior to complete the project in time.  The reason for the deadline was that the premises was to be let out to collect rental income.  Coating Worx failed to complete project in time, in fact they went 5 months over the completion date and still had not completed. There was no communication or valid reasons from the directors regarding the delay, only apologies.   </p> <p> </p> <p>I have to date paid a sum of R100,000.00 to Coating Worx.  In January 2017, I was asked for a progressive payment of R20,000 due to 'their' delays to which I paid as they confirmed the project would be completed within 10-12 days. To safeguard myself, I included a clause where a penalty fee would be charged for every day they were delayed from their new deadline.  They went 50 days over and still incomplete until I called a meeting - penalty fees calculated to well over the balance due. They are now disputing the calculation of penalty fee and have said they will not complete the job and my 12 year workmanship warranty is null and void.</p> <p> </p> <p>During the duration of the project there were no more than 3-4 employees present onsite daily.  There was no qualified supervisor onsite. The workers were negligent with regards to my property and belongings and damaged and stole property. They did not have the proper tools and consumables necessary to conduct a painting job and worked under no supervision.  The quality of workmanship is pathetic to say the least.  The paint is already peeling off the exterior walls.</p> <p> </p> <p>When I contacted COATING WORX national headoffice to come out and assess the standard of work and the dispute, I was told by the CEO to resolve my dispute with the franchise and the franchise is responsible for assessing their own quality of workmanship.</p> <p> </p> <p>In my opinion, COATING WORX  should not be advertising as professional painting contractors charging a premium rate for their poor services.  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>