Any plasterers?

Cosmic182 · 13 Nov 2012 at 21:32

Well good luck to you and your builds. Never once had a problem with any customers nor work when plastering old walls that are painted. Always PVA'd walls like that. My uncles a plasterer by trade that's done it for over 50 years and has always done the same. Rather continue the way we've worked and listen to actual tradesmen.

BF-Bert · 13 Nov 2012 at 22:27

maccapacca said:
Are we playing willy waving contest with history, I've completed millions of pounds of refurbs / cut and carves / new builds / my own place's and the only reason you PVA is to reduce the suction of a dry wall, in which case you may as well just wet the wall, you shouldn't plaster over dry PVA so what's the point.

It's an old myth that it banded about 'coz me dad did it'

You just don't need it

A smooth painted wall requires some form of base or a tack coat, most common way to do it is to use 2 coats of PVA, 1st is allowed to dry, 2nd is to be tacky for the plaster to go on top. At least that's what I've experienced on the millions of pounds worth of refurbs I did last year.

Cosmic182 · 13 Nov 2012 at 22:36

Obviously a "to the book" booted and suited surveyor rather than a hands on tradesman with experience.

Kennysevenfold · 14 Nov 2012 at 20:55

Had a guy over tonight, he starts fri, says 2/3 days.
Had loads of references with him and photos of previous work.
Price £400, includes boarding up the hole in the wall where the fireplace used to be.

Happy with that, so will keep you posted when he starts.

firestarter0230 · 14 Nov 2012 at 21:59

Cosmic182 said:
Im telling you its not a myth. Ive been doing construction for the past 10 + years and since I was kid going with my father thats been doing construction for 40+ years. Skimming doesnt have glue in like bonding does etc, its not quite the same. If the walls are painted, give them a light sand and a light coat of pva mixed with water ( dont use PVA by its self). Always PVA painted surfaces before plastering. If you have any light cracks in the wall just put some scrim tape over them before pva-ing. You will not go wrong if you follow that.

Its the same when you plaster over artex ceilings, you always pva the ceiling before hand.

Its how I do it and not had any comebacks !!

[TW]Sponge · 14 Nov 2012 at 22:09

Usually it's around £50 a wall and £100 for a ceiling.

Cosmic182 · 14 Nov 2012 at 22:25

You say £50 quid a wall, £100 a ceiling....

That wouldn't apply for a ceiling thats a metre sq as apposed to a 10x10m sq ceiling. Same goes for a wall, so you cant go by that by any means. You charge by the hour/materials, a decent tradesman knows how long certain jobs take therefor it's easy to price.