Putting plasterboard on ceiling and plastering ... how hard can it be?

[Footsoldier888]

jonbey I know a plasterer and he was telling me the very worst jobs are those where someone has gone wrong with the plastering. And it's always the wife that rings him!

The problem you have is ceiling plastering is the hardest part, if you have a 9 sm ceiling to do say it is very unlikely to go well first time due to the time pressure you will be under. You are also quite likely to get a lot of plaster on your head doing it first time.

Realistically you need to crack doing a 1 sm practise wall board first before even thinking about a ceiling. Plaster is very messy stuff and it can all go Pete Tong very quickly without a solid grounding.

 

[cwhaley]

I remember when my dad was doing the kitchen up. At age fourteen I was standing on the worktops/kitchen table holding the board up with him while he went around and nailed it to the beams. Did that with about 8 or 9 sheets all morning. He was always a tight-ar*e but the ceiling is still up as well as it was then.

 

[JP_]

I want to pay somebody to do it. Just need to get them in!
And Diynot plasters in Essex and available?

 

[23vc]

New tools! Some on Amazon, one for £76
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=diy&field-keywords=Auto-Feed+Drywall+Screwdriver+

I’ve got this one, not amazing but does the trick and earned its money over 10yrs. Doesn’t look like they still make em new though https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ryobi-ESD-...837121?hash=item4427487901:g:87sAAOSwjkxbibCL

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Boards are easy enough- 3 x 2 with a big crossbar on the end works well, also consider strategic lengths of batten screwed to the joists (with 1 screw and a spacer) so you can hoik the board up to the ceiling then swing the batten across to take the weight while you grab cordless & wiggle the thing to get it in the right place.
Plastering a ceiling- sod that, I know trades are busy at the moment but there'll be someone out there willing to take your money, I've 'plastered' a couple of walls- one was in an airing cupboard so didn't really matter, the other one was a bit more public- took a long time with an orbital sander to get it fit to use

 

[JP_]

Had a quote to:
tack new board on the ceiling and plaster the whole room, at £650
Does that sound about right?
Pics of the room: https://photos.app.goo.gl/itdrXAVgejs7GGZG8

 

[oldbutnotdead]

How big is the room? Sounds a bit fruity to me (unless your place is a mansion)

 

[JP_]

3.3m square, 2.5m tall.

 

[Footsoldier888]

Does that include them removing the radiator or would you do that?

I don't know the money side that well but if it is say a two man gang with 25 years experience then it could be the going rate.

If you are getting smooth level walls from someone with a good reputation then the quality may be worth paying for.

 

[JP_]

Not planning to remove the rad. I really don't mind if it's a bit rough near the edges, can live with that.
Not sure if that one a one man gang or not.

 

[23vc]

I'd say that price is about right. No idea if you could get it a bit cheaper in your area but I wouldn’t say it’s extortionate

 

[JP_]

thanks. I found a site that gives approx prices for different jobs, and it matches that really.

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/costs/plastering-cost-calculator.php#axzz5Quv6vp6K

and

http://quotationcheck.com/plaster-wall-prices/#