3 plasterers. All poor jobs.

[413x]

So I've had 3 different plasterers. And all 3 I've felt have not been up to scratch.

All Of the walls have needed light sanding and filling here and there. Little dents that can be sanded out. Small Holes that can be filled.... Gaps around pipes (which may be 'acceptable' so I've been told) ?

But overall each has needed afterwork.

The first job was best. But it was only one wall. And dead flat.

The second was a room. And was OK. But there. Were a fair few gaps where plaster meets the skirting. The odd debt that needed filling.

The last one (worst one) has little holes and small shallow indents. Rough edges. Some of the light switches when replaced have gaps. I have not been able to get in touch with this guy since.


I tried to get the first lot back as this was best job. Didn't respond to messages.
Second one was a recommendation from a friend. I did ace also try to get him for third job, but no answer.
3rd one, was really hard to find a plasterer so went on a recommend off a Facebook group.


Are plasterers all bad? And it's just very hard to find a good one?

Been looking at 'terrible skim jobs' etc on Google and it definitely isn't 'that's awful' territory. As in most is OK. But there are small areas that are imperfect. I believe I can sand /fill out all out. But again, not a hassle I really expected

 

[dave28]

Are plasterers all bad? And it's just very hard to find a good one?

No my old man has been doing it for decades as a 2nd job and he is superb. ( it has crippled his shoulder now though )

The trouble is many of them dont want to put in the very hard work needed to get a top finish or have not been trained properly, also often using 1 coat where they should have done 2 coats and so on.

If they give you a quote for the whole job then its likely in their mind to do it as fast as possible and hope the customer does not know what a high quality plasterer does.

 

[glenimp617]

Three problems:

The good tradesmen are always fully booked
Older tradesmen are knackered
Younger tradesmen have been very poorly taught

It is utterly impossible to find anyone decent where I live. We look 40 miles away to the next city now, but not everyone wants to travel.

The last tradesman I had in caused £3k worth of damage.

There are good people out there, you just need to find them.

Good Luck!

 

[DanTheMan]

We've had 3 different rooms plastered by 3 different plasterers over the past 2 years, and I'd be inclined to agree that the jobs haven't been as good as I'd have expected.

I'm not sure I really know what a great plastering job is and the things that I found disappointing, I probably would never noticed in other people's houses.

Like you, the main issues were small bits of plaster that hadn't been smoothed over, a few bits where the plaster isn't perfectly level and uneven bits where the plaster joins skirting / windows.

 

[413x]

We've had 3 different rooms plastered by 3 different plasterers over the past 2 years, and I'd be inclined to agree that the jobs haven't been as good as I'd have expected.

I'm not sure I really know what a great plastering job is and the things that I found disappointing, I probably would never noticed in other people's houses.

Like you, the main issues were small bits of plaster that hadn't been smoothed over, a few bits where the plaster isn't perfectly level and uneven bits where the plaster joins skirting / windows.

Yes. Basically identical. Makes you wonder if you're being over fussy.
It's not to the level you say "hold on buddy, you're not leaving it like this".. But at same time when it's all dried etc it's not 'done'.

 

[413x]

Thanks guys. Least it isn't only me. And it is recoverable. Its a shame its the hallway. A well used room. Putting on the mist coat has made the imperfections even clearer.
One wall is destined to g few a feature wall. So I'll focus on that one.

I'll keep at it with the sand paper and filler.
Weirdly, the ceilings are better than the walls.

 

[Ayahuasca]

Top-level plasterers are hard to come by and will usually give a higher quote which puts most people off, they'll also tend to have a longer timescale for when they can do the work.

The one who did our dining room was fantastic, couldn't get him out again to do the office as it wasn't a big enough job for him and his schedule was rammed. The bloke we got out to do it was tragic in comparison, left the room an absolute mess and made some very strange comments about previous customers.

 

[Buffman]

Three problems:


The last tradesman I had in caused £3k worth of damage.

There are good people out there, you just need to find them.

Good Luck!

What did they do to cause that much damage?!

 

[robj20]

I hate looking for tradesmen, the number one reason I take on most jobs myself, as a homeowner I think you put more effort in.

 

[413x]

Top-level plasterers are hard to come by and will usually give a higher quote which puts most people off, they'll also tend to have a longer timescale for when they can do the work.

The one who did our dining room was fantastic, couldn't get him out again to do the office as it wasn't a big enough job for him and his schedule was rammed. The bloke we got out to do it was tragic in comparison, left the room an absolute mess and made some very strange comments about previous customers.

It's also hard to know if that higher quote is still going to leave a **** job.
I guess without solid recommendations from people you know, or to actually see thier work (pics aren't enough)

So you're left with a lucky dip selection.

 

[Squink]

It's also hard to know if that higher quote is still going to leave a **** job.

Yep, plenty of tradesman out there who just quote the 'going rate', even if they aren't very good.

 

[theone8181]

I had a ceiling skimmed about a month ago and I just posted it on one of those sites (I'm struggling to remember which). The guy did a fantastic job as it was over an artex ceiling (the swirly type). His Mrs was cleaning while he skimmed and there was no mess when they dine, they even avoided getting plaster on the walls. Only downside is that stuff was dusty in the next room, however as it's open plan than might have been tricky to avoid short of putting a sheet up. He didn't cost the earth either, the flip side is the first guy we booked didn't turn up or tell me and I've still not received any response from him (very frustrating when you've already emptied the room).

Edit it was on mybuilder, might be worth a look.

 

[a1ex2001]

Plastering is an art good ones are busy and expensive. Nothing worse than paying for something and looking at the result and thinking you could have done better! Sadly plastering is about the only thing I won’t try!

 

[kindai]

Are plasterers all bad? And it's just very hard to find a good one?

I know 2 local plasterers who are basically booked up months in advance, which seems weird at first but after speaking to one they are contracted to do the final finish on top end homes and many rooms are multi-day jobs.

 

[curlyzoo2002]

I used to be a decorator (time served) so I have a lot of experience with this. You should have a perfect finish after a plasterer has been in but it's never the case, there is always filling to do.
however to get the best finish remove all skirtings and facings yourself and well as loosen all sockets and light switches( make sure they are safely isolated first or get a spark in to do it.) also if you are skilled enough remove the radiator.

offer them plenty of tea and biscuits and make them lunch. Don't be a pain in the ass or tell them how to do their job.

Give them a reason to give you a good finish!

 

[azazl187]

It not easy to find a decent plasterer these days. This is why they can charge the earth on each job. I'm a building contractor so I know this.

We use a couple of different gangs of lads and both are great as well as rare and expensive

 

[Monkeynut]

My cousin put me onto Gyproc Easifill when he was doing my kitchen. Uses it to do some areas that need improving when the customer needs some plastering work in the job. Works a treat even for the amateur imo.

 

[BUDFORCE]

I hate looking for tradesmen, the number one reason I take on most jobs myself, as a homeowner I think you put more effort in.

I agree.

But it's hard if you've no experience of doing these things.

I live in a relatively new (about 20 years old) house that basically hasn't needed much DIY just by it's very nature. We've done decorating but not much further.

I'm not useless at stuff either, I try and do bits on the cars and motorcycle myself etc, electrics I'm fine with.

But things like basic plumbing for example, I literally have never had to do it, so I wouldn't even know where to start if I did, which will probably be an emergency if so. Plus the wife has high standards when it comes to stuff in the house which doesn't help.

 

[robj20]

I agree.

But it's hard if you've no experience of doing these things.

I live in a relatively new (about 20 years old) house that basically hasn't needed much DIY just by it's very nature. We've done decorating but not much further.

I'm not useless at stuff either, I try and do bits on the cars and motorcycle myself etc, electrics I'm fine with.

But things like basic plumbing for example, I literally have never had to do it, so I wouldn't even know where to start if I did, which will probably be an emergency if so. Plus the wife has high standards when it comes to stuff in the house which doesn't help.

I've literally just finished decorating the landing, stairs and hall way.
Back to brick plastering, skimmed the ceiling, new skirting and architrave.
Wallpapered, and just carpeted today.

 

[Haggisman]

I hate looking for tradesmen, the number one reason I take on most jobs myself, as a homeowner I think you put more effort in.

+1

Unless it's regulated (e.g. gas or notifiable electrical work), I'll DIY it.

Sure, it might take a bit longer, but you can work around your own schedule, usually end up doing a better job, and don't end up paying £££ for something you end up needing to finish off yourself anyway.