Overboarding bay window ceiling

yomagsy

Hi
The ceiling over my lounge bay window has several cracks and I have been advised that overboarding and replastering is the best option. It will involve removing the lath & plaster ceiling that the Victorians put in. I have been given a quite of £380 for a day's work,all in, including materials. The area is 8' x 3 ' and that seems a bit steep to me. I have another worlman coming round to quite this morning.
Any advice?

Aylesbury_Duck

Yes, wait and see what the other contractor says. People often say "it seems a bit steep to me" but unless you know what you're talking about in terms of skills and material need, it's meaningless. If the other estimate comes in at a similar rate, it would seem to be a reasonable rate for your locality.

yomagsy

Thanks
I looked online to see what a reasonable price would be and it is (on average) a lot lower. The 2nd contractor is coming today and the 3rd one didn't turn up as promised this morning. BIt of a minefield !

FreeBear

Be warned - Removing lath & plaster ceiling is a very messy job and will generate loads of dust.

Does this bay have a flat or pitched/tiled roof ?
If so, take the opportunity to put a thick layer of insulation in to the void. It won't add much to the total cost, but will certainly help in keeping the room warm.

yomagsy

Thanks Free Bear. It is a tiled pitched roof. I have been told how messy this will be and the man who has quoted said he would cover up everything, even the walls.I wish it wasn't but it has to be done

yomagsy

The second guy has just been and quoted me £150 for the same job (16 years experience) and an extra £30 to come back next day and repaper and rehang the curtains and rail, as I asked. It certainly pays to get more than one quote!