How do I report a bad painting contractor or get recourse for a poor paint job in NB?

If you have had a poor experience with a painting contractor in New Brunswick, your first step is always direct communication with the contractor in writing — document the issues, give them a reasonable opportunity to correct the work, and put everything in a paper trail. Most disputes with painting contractors are resolved this way without escalating further.

Start by writing a clear email or letter to the contractor detailing the specific problems — what is peeling, where the coverage is uneven, which areas were missed, or what was left in worse condition than agreed. Include photos with dates. Give them a defined timeframe to respond and correct the deficiency — 7 to 14 days is reasonable. Keep copies of everything: your original quote, any contracts or written agreements, before-and-after photos, and all correspondence. If the contractor is professional and business-minded, they will want to resolve the complaint and protect their reputation rather than have a dispute escalate.

If direct resolution fails, New Brunswick has several options:

Service New Brunswick / Consumer Affairs Branch: NB's Consumer Product Safety and Fraud Prevention division handles disputes between consumers and service providers. You can file a complaint if you believe you have been misled, overcharged, or received clearly substandard service. Visit the Government of New Brunswick website or call Service NB for guidance. This route is more effective when there is evidence of fraud or misrepresentation than for pure quality disputes.

Small Claims Court: For disputes under 0,000, NB Small Claims Court is an accessible option. You file your claim, present your evidence (photos, written quotes, communications), and a judge makes a binding decision. Filing fees are modest. This is the most powerful tool for a legitimate dispute where the contractor refuses to make things right. You do not need a lawyer for Small Claims Court in NB.

WorkSafeNB: If a contractor worked on your property without proper WorkSafeNB coverage and an injury occurred, or if they represented themselves as having coverage when they did not, WorkSafeNB wants to know about it.

Practical steps before hiring your next painter — and why this matters:

Prevention is far more effective than recourse. Before hiring any painter in NB, always get a written quote that specifies the scope of work in detail: which surfaces, number of coats, specific products to be used, and the timeline. A verbal agreement is nearly impossible to enforce. Ask for references from recent NB projects and actually call them. Verify that the painter carries liability insurance — ask for a certificate of insurance, not just a verbal assurance. A reputable painter will provide this without hesitation.

For significant projects (full exterior repaints, whole-house interiors, cabinet refinishing), consider a payment schedule tied to project milestones rather than paying the full amount upfront. A 25-30% deposit to start, another payment at the midpoint, and the final payment upon your satisfactory inspection is a fair and common structure for NB painting work.

We cannot give legal or insurance advice, and every dispute has its own facts and nuances. But documentation, direct communication first, and using NB's consumer protection tools when needed gives you a reasonable path to resolution.

If you need help finding a reputable painting contractor for your next project, New Brunswick Painting can match you with painting professionals through the New Brunswick Construction Network directory at newbrunswickconstructionnetwork.com/directory?trade=painting.

---

Find a Painting Contractor

New Brunswick Painting helps you find local painting professionals through the New Brunswick Construction Network:

• Expressions Painting ✓
• Loves Painting Ltd. ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Service ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Services ✓