Plasterer has finished but poor finish. Is this normal?

dominoman

I had my lounge plastered on Saturday and I am really not happy with thefinish.

The plasterer I had booked called to say he couldn’t do it, but he sent his mate instead. I paid £300 on Saturday and another £300 is due today.

The walls are flat in places, but in many places there are very rough patches, lumps and bumps. Around the sockets and skirting he has smeared so much plaster that they almost blend into the wall now, and the new exposed fireplace looks awful, with uneven edges.

Is this normal? I don’t know what todo – though I’m certainly not paying the other £300 until this is better.

saverbuyer

£600!!!!!


How big is the lounge?

MisterBaxter

Sorry to say it but whoever did that isn't a plasterer and that certainly isn't how a quality job should look.

lisa110rry

Certainly isn't normal. I had much of our home replastered after a catastrophic flood and apart from one ceiling (which was plastered on a dark day, all was smooth and clean. The lumpy ceiling was re-skimmed.

Furts

£300 per day is a lot to pay - I accept materials may be included in this but plaster is a cheap commodity.

Before you call the plasterer back consider your role in this. Fundamental principles of building are a wall is plastered then the skirting is fixed to the wall. Likewise with the cover on your socket. It appears this has not been done.

Hence two points arise. Why did this situation occur? How did you expect to get a proper finish at the skirting? On both these points you have to accept a liability because it was your home and work done to your instructions.

That said the work should be better and lumps and bumps are not acceptable. Again you may have a role in this. If the plaster said "I am not available and I am sending my mate, (who is aka my labourer)," you could have refused and requested a proper trades person, as opposed to a labourer.

A proper job will mean removing the skirting. A perfect job cannot be achieved by leaving this in place.

macman

If the original plasterer subcontracted, then why did you pay the subcontractor? In effect by paying him the first 50%, you have now transferred the contract to Mr Cowboy, so your dispute will be with him.

Doozergirl

I agree that you will struggle to get a crisp finish with skirting and sockets in place.

dominoman

Yes - I knew the finish wouldn't be perfect with the skirting in place, but removing it would be too big a job. It is old and original. The plasterer told me he could make it look good without moving it.

The sockets I didn't remove as the plasterer told me he would do it. He then didn't.

The boss is on his way around now and promises to fix it up. I just hope he does a good job. £600 is a lot to pay for one day's work.

dominoman

saverbuyer wrote: »

£600!!!!!


How big is the lounge?

I know £600 is a lot! But I got three quotes and they all came to around the same.

Lounge is 5m x 4.5m, so not especially large.

Given the cost I was expecting it to take 2 days and him to do a great job. He took one day and did a not-great job.

saverbuyer

dominoman wrote: »

I know £600 is a lot! But I got three quotes and they all came to around the same.

Lounge is 5m x 4.5m, so not especially large.

Given the cost I was expecting it to take 2 days and him to do a great job. He took one day and did a not-great job.

The finish does look like crap.


I did my lounge recently, admittedly smaller than yours at 4.5x4.5. I actually chipped all the old plaster off and removed the skirting and architrave. Didn't do the ceiling. Took two days and my N.I. plasterer charged me £160 plus skim and PVA. He supplied some beading and bonding for the reveals. Fantastic job for around £200. It was a friend of a friend, wasn't sure if I got a good deal, looks like I did.

dominoman

saverbuyer wrote: »

The finish does look like crap.


I did my lounge recently, admittedly smaller than yours at 4.5x4.5. I actually chipped all the old plaster off and removed the skirting and architrave. Didn't do the ceiling. Took two days and my N.I. plasterer charged me £160 plus skim and PVA. He supplied some beading and bonding for the reveals. Fantastic job for around £200. It was a friend of a friend, wasn't sure if I got a good deal, looks like I did.

That is good value.

Mine was skim only. No plastering needed. The walls were already in a good state but I wanted them to be perfect. Wish I hadn't bothered now given how much it cost.