Plasterers - what would you do?

plasticflower

Would just like some advice for which is best for the job please - I have had 2 plasterers come round and they'd both do the job differently. I've had some cladding removed from around a gas fire on a chimney breast which has exposed the bricks and now I just want a smooth wall with empty alcove - no fire just maybe plants or candles etc.


Plasterer No 1 would build up 2 layers of sand and cement to the thickness of the plaster above - he said that as an external wall needs a small amount of repair he has to make that up anyway. The fireplace alcove will have a basecoat of 'hardwall'? Then on the third visit will plaster over the whole lot including inside the alcove. 2 and half days work - £310 cash (!)

Plasterer No 2 would build up plaster over the whole chimney breast and dry line inside the alcove. 1 days work - £230

I have a feeling which one I feel more confident about but would just like some more views from 'experts' as to the best way to do it.

Thanks in advance.

Andybez38

Sure Nelly will have good advice on this. Nelly the man that can.

personaly i would go with plasterer no 1, even though im a dryliner,i think it will be better rendered/skimmed.

jason_s_2

I would go with No 1, thats what i would do.

HugoSP

Approach number 1 would give you a better job IMO.

Are the external corners rounded or sharp? I assume that the first guy would replicate what is on the original corners.

nelly_2

I dont see any reason to use sand and cement AND hardwall to be honest.

If rising damp is an issue its an issue on the iside of the fire too. Its the same walls init!

Personally I'd hardwall all the brick, (inside and out), put new skim beads on the corners and skim the lot, and also be finished by about 3 o clock on the first day latest. and agree with £230

bj-sailaway

Hi there, my hubby is a plasterer, and he totally agrees with Nellys post above, go with no. 2. No point in sand and cement, definitely not a 3 day job - taking the micky!

plasticflower

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am getting in a 3rd plasterer to have a look too.

HugoSP - those corners are round and not particularly vertical - it even flares out at the top on one side! The first guy was sure of straighteneing those out but the second said it wouldn't be perfect but better than what I got now!

nelly - that's a point - I wonder why he didn't suggest hardwall on it all. Cost reasons? I think he went down the sand and cement route as an external wall needs some repair so he's going to have to make that up, let it set and come back another day anyway.

Will see what the 3rd quote is then make a decision!

nelly_2

plasticflower wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am getting in a 3rd plasterer to have a look too.

HugoSP - those corners are round and not particularly vertical - it even flares out at the top on one side! The first guy was sure of straighteneing those out but the second said it wouldn't be perfect but better than what I got now!

nelly - that's a point - I wonder why he didn't suggest hardwall on it all. Cost reasons? I think he went down the sand and cement route as an external wall needs some repair so he's going to have to make that up, let it set and come back another day anyway.

Will see what the 3rd quote is then make a decision!

The cost of materials (diference) will be about 10 quid 20 max, the cost of visiting a job twice just to do the backing coat in man hours/travel far FAR out weighs this.

This doesnt mean he isnt good at plastering but I know plenty who's admin and organisation leave a lot to be desired.

Does the other work really need sand and cement? have you got a damp course because if so it doesnt necassarily need sand and cement.

There is another optionwhich is called limelight its a lightweight alternative to sand and cement it is quite expensive but still works out cheaper as it only entails 2 visits rather then 3.