How to spot a good plasterer?

[skimmyceilings]

But how many ceilings are there to be plastered? It makes a difference if there are four or eight.

4 beds
2 bathrooms
hall
landing
lounge
dining room
kitchen

Some small ceilings, some bigger. I expect these quotes seem too low, but hardly unusual for us to hear as 3 quotes were around the same sort of figure. It was the quote of £500 that even we thought was too low. We wouldn't use someone who quotes so low as we would be expecting the ceilings to be a mess.

 

[joe-90]

The £500 guy may be a contract plasterer who will be very fast and very good.
You never can tell.

 

[xr4x4]

Sorry but grow some balls and ask them out right, politely of course.. Are they anygood, your are looking for a good finish and you are willing to pay for it.

Make this plain and get them to understand this and don't pay them, or agree a lower price if your not happy.

Sounds harsh but why should anyone settle for a substandard job, ESP if you made it clear before they started.

 

[joe-90]

I agree. Tell them to a one ceiling first. If they are any good they'll agree.

 

[kingandy2nd]

Time is money though, expect to pay a bit more if you want them to do one ceiling, then return at another time to potentially do the rest.

 

[Johnmelad]

If you want a good plasterer, ask a decorator for a recommendation. Believe you me, decorators know good plastering when they decorate it!!!

 

[plasteringpaul]

The easy solution is let the one you trust do one ceiling and then review as you go along. Most spreads would refuse to enter into a "do the work now and be paid later" situation.

If you waived a contract in my face for a small job like that I'd tell you to shove it where the sun shines...