We went through the process to build a new home. Before the home was 100% complete, we had to move in as there were delays and our rental lease was running out for no option for month-to-month.

Now we're trying to get some last minute (or longstanding) things fixed. For example, i was adament in the building process i didn't want the door hinges painted... they got painted. Now builder is telling me that the door hinges had to be painted as part of the building process, we went with cheap hinges, and something about trim and doors being same color. He says if i dont' want painted hinges i'm going to be out of my own pocket to replace all the hinges.

There's pushback on fixing other issues too. Besides the hinges being painted issue, does anyone have strategies i can use to leverage the builder to fix things? Are we over a barrel? Has anyone had experience with this?

If cosmetic, you don't have a lot of leverage to make them perform. Warrantable items are a different thing if you choose to pursue them.

If it's cosmetic, there's nothing you can do. Our builder was very clear from the start that they aren't going to chase down subs everyday to make individual changes for clients. If it's custom, you may have a better shot.

If the issue is warrantable or a flaw in the building process, you'll get a final walk through where you can punch list stuff with them. If it's big, you may have to close with the understanding they'll do it afterwards under warranty work.

Have not done this but why cant the hinges be removed and dunked in paint stripper? I have done it with old hinges when repainting a kitchen. Pain in the butt but lot less expensive then new hinges and you would have to take them off and put them back on if getting new hinges.

Happened during a bath remodel and the painters did that.

Was only on 2 doors.

If you already closed and moved in, and the issues are not major or structural, you're SOL.

Really the only leverage you have over them is gone once you close on the house. Learn from it and move on.

musicforall said:

---

Have not done this but why cant the hinges be removed and dunked in paint stripper? I have done it with old hinges when repainting a kitchen. Pain in the butt but lot less expensive then new hinges and you would have to take them off and put them back on if getting new hinges.

---

There's a good chance it would mess up whatever clearcoat or other finishes are applied to the steel hinge.

Home Depot sells them at $1.37 per if OP buys a 24 pack in whatever finish they want. It's the easier solution IMO.

How often do you look at a man's hinges?

The Fife said:

---

What kind of jackwagon paints hinges, that's flipper or rental grade bush league.

Your easiest path forward may be just to take one of the hinges to your nearest friendly blue or orange big box store, match the size and hole pattern up, and spend an hour or two on a weekend swapping them out. Last time I did that cheap stainless/nickel colored ones were maybe a couple bucks a piece.

---

Amazin sells big hinge packs cheaper than HD. I just swapped all mine out with oil rubbed bronze when we put new doorknobs throughout the house.