Hubby setting up new plastering business; how much should he charge?

Melly31 · 27 September 2008 at 5:25PM

Hi folks (hope I've posted in correct place?)
My hubby is a qualified plasterer (& a very good one), but he's not done it since he was 19 (he's now 35) & as he's just been made redundant again he's wanting to set up his own plastering business.
The work is coming in so far from word of mouth but the prob is he doesn't know what to charge!
He recently plastered a neighbours loft conversion fully (with all its pointy roof) for £100 & I thought that this was way too cheap esp as it inc materials (which cost £74 & took him 2 weekends-he was working at time during wk).
He's also just plastered around someone's doorframe (door frame was missing) & only charged them £20, but as he ended up replacing door frame he worked at a loss!
But how do you know what to charge people?
He ob doesn't want to over charge & he may be bit slower than your average plasterer as he's been a welder for 16yrs, but I'm sure the practise will help him get faster & he's a really good plasterer (bit of a perfectionist though, which may hinder him as he'll redo whole job if he's not happy!)
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Mel.

McKneff · 27 September 2008 at 6:11PM

i would have thought £15. £20 an hour if he is self employed. He has tax to pay, vehicle to run, insurances etc,

Whydont you ring another local plasterer up and just ask what they charge an hour

misgrace · 27 September 2008 at 6:12PM

I think it depends on what area, as london and south rates are more expensive.
Also, as he is a bit slow being out of touch, he might have to charge a little less for a day rate, or a job rate till he gets his speed up, which shouldnt take long.:D

I am a decorator,and know what I can do in a day, so I can look at a job, and in 10 mins know how long its going to take, as I know I want X amount per day, I just multiply it by how many days.
Admittidly I have got it wrong, even now lol, as when I give a price for 'the job' I stick to it, so If its taken me a half day, or even a day longer that I anticipated (and its still does happen):rolleyes: I would not dream of charging the client extra, as its my fault, as I worked it out wrong.
But on the otherhand, if I stripped a wall, and half the wall came away (hasnt happened yet, I hasten to add)

then of course its not my fault.

Have a look at some of the previous threads on 'Is this quote fair', you should find loads of posters being quoted prices, also 'Jason S' he's a plasterer that posts on here should be along, and he might be able to give you more info.

Plasticman · 27 September 2008 at 7:03PM

Melly31 wrote: »

Hi folks (hope I've posted in correct place?)
My hubby is a qualified plasterer (& a very good one), but he's not done it since he was 19 (he's now 35) & as he's just been made redundant again he's wanting to set up his own plastering business.
The work is coming in so far from word of mouth but the prob is he doesn't know what to charge!
He recently plastered a neighbours loft conversion fully (with all its pointy roof) for £100 & I thought that this was way too cheap esp as it inc materials (which cost £74 & took him 2 weekends-he was working at time during wk).
He's also just plastered around someone's doorframe (door frame was missing) & only charged them £20, but as he ended up replacing door frame he worked at a loss!
But how do you know what to charge people?
He ob doesn't want to over charge & he may be bit slower than your average plasterer as he's been a welder for 16yrs, but I'm sure the practise will help him get faster & he's a really good plasterer (bit of a perfectionist though, which may hinder him as he'll redo whole job if he's not happy!)
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Mel.

Sounds like your neighbour got a bargain! I can find him loads of work at my house at that price - not in the South East are you?

ormus · 27 September 2008 at 7:21PM

a minimum of 100 per day plus materials.
i had a large room (inc the ceiling) done a few yrs ago. (with a few other bits) total was 650 quid.

jason_s_2 · 27 September 2008 at 10:11PM

Your hubby has been taken for a mug im afraid, i agree with ormus tho, as he is still a bit slow and needs the experience then £100 + mats is about right. When he gets to know the job better he will start to know what to charge on pricework.

oilit · 28 September 2008 at 8:50AM

I have just paid a guy 160 cash inc materials for plastering a new ceiling which is about 25' x 18' approx and thats dun soth. He was a known quantity and does a good job - had tons of people tell me id paid quite a lot - but frankly I wanted the job done and done well. He had it done in about 5 hours all in.

sodamnfunky · 28 September 2008 at 9:10AM

£100? I can get him loads of work at £100 for that kind of area.

He needs to be charging at least £15 per hour(£120 for an 8 hour day). A lot of plasterers I know do it by the square footage a bit like tilers.

sparky883 · 28 September 2008 at 10:31AM

Theres more to his costs to add if hes seriously going self-employed
Regiseter with Inland revenue
Public Liability insurance
Commersial driving insurance policy
Waste transfer licience
Accountant
It all adds up-You cannot just go around taking Money off the public for work done and then pocket it.
Its silly little things you dont think about like your Car insurance will not cover you if you are using your car/van for work.

fatnbald · 28 September 2008 at 10:55AM

I paid around £180 for a days work inc material to skim a new ceiling 3m x 3m plus skimming a new partition wall 3m x 2.4m along with a fair bit of patching around the ceiling edge.

The guy I used did it over 2 half days at a weekend, he has a very good reputation and the work was really top quality, I am in North Wales.

McKneff · 28 September 2008 at 9:17PM

Hi, for everyday accounts (to give to your accountant at year end)
buy a Simplex D accounts book from W H Smith. You can tell at a glance
where you are with accounts, money in the bank etc. They are just so easy to use.

Hubby setting up new plastering business; how much should he charge?

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