Patching lath and plaster

[Boudicca21]

I am contemplating buying a repossession that needs a lot of work. It will eventually need remodelling of kitchen and bathroom but the immediate need is to patch lath and plaster walls. The plaster has been deliberately damaged and I think what remains is probably ok.

Not sure how expensive it would be to get in a plasterer, or even if people who learn to work with plasterboard can do a reasonable job on lath and plaster.

So, how hard is it for a numpty to learn patch plastering? There are videos on YouTube, b&q offer half day courses in skimming and patching (but presumably those are for plasterboard). I'm sure it takes years to learn how to plaster properly. And I'd obviously want to get a reasonable finish.

Haven't checked the electrics, so it is possible that a rewiring might be needed too.

Any tips?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Before you start patching, have the electric checked. Would be daft to patch/repair walls only to find out the electric need sorting and damage to walls is required. If the case is that a rewire is required, that process will likely tell you what condition your walls are actually in.

PS. The plastering courses seldom teach how to plaster lathe or even do basecoat plastering, generally cover boarding and skims.

I would recommend on a job like this, that you best get a highly recommended plasterer in.

 

[Boudicca21]

Thanks. I take it you are politely telling me that any idea of doing this myself is a fantasy? I rather suspected it might be.

Assuming (and I need to double check) that the plaster that remains is firmly attached to the laths, and that each patch is going to be less than a square metre, how much is a specialist plasterer likely to cost (at London prices) and how would one go about trying to find one?