Plastering artex ceiling

Kitsi

Hi All,

I would appreciate some advice regarding plastering over a textured ceiling and whether I'm being ripped off. I live in Somerset and the ceiling in question is about 3x3 metres.

I booked a local Tradesman to smooth over the ceiling. He quoted £250 which I thought was steep but he came recommended and I wanted the job done to a high standard.

He arrived to do the job and was obviously rushed as he said he had to get to a job in London that afternoon. Also a colleague/friend who he'd asked to help him with the ceiling had let him down.

He arrived just before 9.00am and left quite abruptly at 12.00 before I had a chance to speak to him or inspect the work. He was here for about 3 hours.

I am disappointed with the quality of the work. The ceiling looks very unfinished with deep scratches and marks all over it. It generally looks messy and will require a lot of extra work to smooth it out. It is certainly not what I thought I was paying for.

Fortunately I didn't pay him up front but he has sent me an invoice. I queried my concerns with him but he said what he did was to the normal standard.

How long should it take to plaster over a ceiling and what sort of finish should I expect for £250?

I don't know how much his materials cost but £250 for 3 hours of works doesn't seem at all reasonable to me.

phill99

Firstly, you are not paying for time. If we only got paid for time then brain surgeons would be paid the same as bus drivers.


Not withstanding, the ceiling should be up to a decent standard and shouldn't have scratches or trowel marks in it. It sounds like a rushed job so I would be asking to return and redo it.

cybervic

I'm in south east, I recently enquired about several plater job and their day rates are between £150-£200, any materials are extra. I have 2 bedroom 4mx4m and 4mx3m, plaster took 1 day to finish the ceiling on bathroom.

I think you have been overcharged for just a room, but you have agreed the price before they start, so you can't really say you aren't happy with their charge. You can however check your friend's ceiling and see if it's the same standard as yours and go from there.

tired_dad

Had this done to a whole house a few y ago. Should be absolutley flat. Once painted there should be nothing to tell you it was anything but made like that.

longwalks1

My plasterer who I've used for the last 15 years, charges £250 per room. That's all walls and ceiling. He does this in a day.


He had to plasterboard over one ceiling as it was so rough and added £40 for materials and time. If its a larger room (big lounge etc) he has a youngster with him and its £350 per room. His finish is as smooth as a pane of glass, which is why I've used him on my last 3 homes. I'm in the South East if its helps with pricing.

phill99

britishboy wrote: »

My plasterer who I've used for the last 15 years, charges £250 per room. That's all walls and ceiling. He does this in a day.


He had to plasterboard over one ceiling as it was so rough and added £40 for materials and time. If its a larger room (big lounge etc) he has a youngster with him and its £350 per room. His finish is as smooth as a pane of glass, which is why I've used him on my last 3 homes. I'm in the South East if its helps with pricing.

That's cheap!!

longwalks1

phill99 wrote: »

That's cheap!!

I know! And his work is perfect! He's my secret gem :T This is our 3rd home he's done/doing from top to bottom


Only downside is he drinks tea like its going out of fashion, its a running joke with him, but a small price to pay haha