Doubts about workmanship-plastering to internal brick wall

[yamihere]

I had damp on the inside of an external brick wall and called in a builder to treat wall and replaster. cost £1200.
He has hacked off plaster up to 3/4 up wall and put in a damp proof course and replastered up to the join.
He did not undo sockets but plastered round them. I hinted that the whole wall should be reskimmed for a flat finish but he informed me this is unneccessary and left a zig zag finish at the join to prevent cracking. but it is not a smooth finish to the join. He is due back tomorrow to finish off putting skirting board on etc.
I am unsure that this is best practice and have lost faith in him. Can anyone please advise. He's not been payed yet, and I have had a word with another builder who would be prepared to skim wall quite cheaply.

 

[roughcaster]

Sounds a shoddy job to me, although it would have to be seen in real time,,, but o plaster around the sockets, rather than loosen them off, and do a proper job, gives us a clue about the man's lack of quality. It is also better after having patching an area of wall, to bond and skim the whole wall, gives a much neater finish, and for £1200.00 quid overall, I would tell him you want it done that way.

Roughcaster.

 

[yamihere]

Thanks for your help. I think I will confront him tomorrow a.m. If he argues then I am tempted to hold back £200 to cover cost of someone else to reskim & hope he doesnt get nasty.

 

[Paulboy]

what did he say to you

 

[dave1953]

In his quotation he should have told you of the scar line and offered you the alternative to bond and skim the wall from floor to ceiling.

 

[yamihere]

I confronted him and said I was unhappy with the way it had been done and that it was not as I expected. After much protesting he agreed to skim the wall rather than take a cut in money. He did it and replaced a socket that he'd damaged. He left rather disgruntled. The wall not perfect but much improved and I am prepared to leave it at that. The only concern is if the damp-proofing etc was done properly as this was not overseen. No guarantees so will just have to hope for the best.!!.
Thanks for all your help.

 

[gregers]

how could he charge you 1200 quid and not give a guarantee to the work he carried out?

 

[swidders]

How come you gave him 1200 without a written guarantee for the work?