Plastering quote - too dear???

Hi there,

Just hoping I can gage some opinions from all those experienced plasterers out there. We own a circa 1940s style house and its in need of plastering repair and new ceilings.

I've asked for a number of quotes from tradesman and the job is either too small for the big companies or too intense for a single tradesman. The plaster we have in our home is that old straw like stuff, our walls have many holes to fill and most of the ceilings are bulging due to poor plastering techniques done in the past. And the old ceiling plaster looks like it's slowly just lifting from the battons hence the buldging effect.

Anyhow the job is just too big for us to do, we aren't overly handy and work a lot during business hours.... not mention there is just so much to be done in one hit.

It's your average three bedroom home and what I need quote on is the following:
Main lounge - Holes filled on walls, some holes quite large we have an old cabinet that is in the wall that needs pulling out and filling. The ceiling is bulging and probably needs rebattening over the top of the old plaster and then new sheets and cornices.
Main bedroom - minor holes in walls, one wall needs new plaster sheeting completely on one wall and the ceiling needs rebattening/plastering.
Bedroom 2 and 3 - minor holes in walls, ceiling again need re-doing
Hallway - minor holes in walls needs new ceiling most likely. New cornices would be required on all new ceilings.

I know this is a vague description here but this is just to gain your opinions. We recently had a quote from a guy who seemed to know what he was talking about and was actually telling us everything we needed to hear. But his quote was around the 7 to 8K mark.

Is this just a ludicrous price or is that about on par with what we'd get from most plasterers for a job this size?

We've been looking for a plasterer for about 8months and still haven't had any confidence in any one doing all of this work right and within a sensible budget. Would really be interested in all of your thoughts. Thanks again.

Can't really help but http://www.archicentre.com.au/Aug05costguide.pdf this will give you an idea of what it would cost from scratch ... maybe that would help?

I had the same fibrous plaster cr@p in my house. My wife and I took three years to rip the whole lot out and replace it all with Gyprock. Best thing we could have done.
It doesn't matter how much time and effort you put into repairing this rotten stuff it will just get worse.
Believe me, ripping the old stuff out and replacing it with gyprock is WELL worth the $7 - $8 K it is costing you. You should do the whole of the house at the same time. It may cost more now but it will save you eventually.
However, be warned, this is one hell of a messy job. You may have to move out of the house for a while. You could also save yourself a bit of money by removing the old plaster yourself. This would also give you an appreciation of the work involved and an understanding of why it costs so much.
I repeat, do NOT repair this horrible stuff, replace it with a modern plaster board. You will never regret it.

Where in Melboure are you?

We don't do this type of work, as you can see from the prices you are getting not many plasterers like to do it.

However If you aren't too far away I may be able to come down and have a look for you and give you an idea of price range. And what is worth for patching or replacing.

It is imposssible to give you a recommendation just by the information you have given. If you like I could give you a price to replace the lot, at least this will give you something to compare against.

No obligation either be happy to help!

BTW the repair quote does seem over the top.

Cheers

Rod Dyson

dont you just hate when you miss an "f "

Yes I do hate it lol, type in a hurry too much. But its fixed now :)

By the way I had a look at the archicenter site in relation to plastering prices.

Whole house $9800 - $13500
Victorian Finish $17500- $29700
Standard plasterboard $20 - $35 per m2

Not much useful information there for anyone. I haven't seen prices for standard plasterboard at $20 per m2 since 1989! The standard rate for a house now, is $12 - $15 per m2 maybe up to $18 if you have catherderal ceilings or other difficult work.

The average 3 bedroom house has about 650-800 m2 of plasterboard.
Single storey 4 bedrooms 750-900 m2
A 2 storey 4 bed and study about 900 m2 to 1400m2

Cheers

Rod Dyson

Well here is my experience...

Sister bought a house in Melbourne, had it restumped and all the larden plaster walls cracked up inside the house....:(

Anyway i accepted (told by parents to go fix it), so being an apprentice chippy of i went......:mad:

Got a few quotes spoke to a few guys and in the end decided the only way to get it done was to get a big skip..... and rip it all out clean it all up.....

Got the plasters then.... made it easier for them to do the job..

They re-battened the ceilings hung new sheets up..etc and it cost her $12,000 that was for 3 large bedrooms, hallway and lounge room all with the biggest cornessessssss you can buy... oh yeh had my painter mates do the rest...

I was happy she was happy my parents were smiling again..:)

The moral of this story is save yourself a few $$$$$ get dirty on a weekend by ripping the guts out of thise rooms, clean them up and get your plasters in.

Best of luck..

Hi guys thanks so much for your quick responses. I will definitely take all of your history and experiences into this.....and look forward to a few more :-). (Ah the things you don't see when you first buy a house). Since Feb last year, we've put a new roof on the bloody thing, about to put new windows in the front, new rear gutters, fascias, eves......my God it never ends .... and now the plaster.....I'm broke and the wife wants the inside fixed.

Rod would be great to take you up on your offer, we are located in Oakleigh South ..... I will send you a private message .... Thanks guys.

mreddie,
Im in Malvern and would be pleased to offer my services, i have re plastered several houses and would be willing to come down and give you a hand.