What to pay a plasterer...

[AC123]

Hi

I need a pretty large amount of artex skimmed over in a house I've bought.

I've got a mate who's now working as a plasterer, been doing it for a few months, and he's good enough for what I need. He's basically works as a labourer for a sole trader at the moment.

He's happy to do it for me, I'm happy for him to do it - any idea what I should pay? £/hour would be the best thing all round IMO.

Thanks

[KTF]

How much did he suggest?

[Muncher]

How good is his work? Less than perfect plastering is a nightmare. I usually pay £5 per meter for a skim.

[Simpo Two]

I had the downstairs ceilings of of my house (estimated 408ft2) skimmed for about £550 last year. Two men for two days.

A quote for the job is best - per hour can be a licence to procrastinate.

[snowley]

As above, definitely get a quote for the job. Per hour pricing can be a bit of a pain even though he is a mate.

It all depends on location, but I would imagine anywhere from £100-200 per day.

[Too Late]

I am paying 2 plasterers and 1 labourer for 3 days work:

£160 x plasterer
£90 x labourer

I bought the materials - £280

[Pheo]

Humm, I got quoted £1250 for a hallway - terraced house. All walls PVA bonded, taped, two coats...

[Djtemeka]

Too Late said:

I am paying 2 plasterers and 1 labourer for 3 days work:

£160 x plasterer
£90 x labourer

I bought the materials - £280

This is about right. For London and surrounds as a private or sole trader. Bigger companies will be more

[philh]

hall, stairs, landing and bedroom with ceilings £1000, 2 days work. hall stairs and landing had artex all over walls and ceiling .

[Pheo]

philh said:

hall, stairs, landing and bedroom with ceilings £1000, 2 days work. hall stairs and landing had artex all over walls and ceiling .

I'd better get some more quotes then!

[bakerstreet]

AC123 said:

Hi

I need a pretty large amount of artex skimmed over in a house I've bought.

I've got a mate who's now working as a plasterer, been doing it for a few months, and he's good enough for what I need. He's basically works as a labourer for a sole trader at the moment.

He's happy to do it for me, I'm happy for him to do it - any idea what I should pay? £/hour would be the best thing all round IMO.

Thanks

Not sure I would want someone who only has a coupe of months experience plastering in my house. The plaster I use has been doing it 20 years and he is excellent. I have used others before and this chap was much better. For a single ceiling skim (5 x 5m) I usually pay about £150. I can also leave him in my house all day alone and don't have to worry about him going through my pants drawer ect. ect. I pay on a per job basis and never on day/hour rate.

[dazwalsh]

Think you have to be looking at 120-150 a day labour wise if he only has a few months experience. Materials on top of that.

if he does a very good job and the finish is excellent maybe throw him another few bob at the end

[Kateg28]

I am in Hertfordshire and paid £500 for a job which involved 3 men boarding the ceiling and then plastering over. Took a full day and the price included the materials.

Did a top quality job as well.

[AC123]

Thanks for the input.

Per hour probably easier as he's going to do the odd 3 hour stint in evenings etc and we're not too sure how long it will take.

He's a trustworthy guy.

I've seen his work and it's good, so quality isn't an issue.

I'm thinking £8-£10/hour, going by day rates above?

Edit: I'm paying for all materials etc and will no doubt take him out on the razz at the end as a thank you!

[B17NNS]

£8 per hour

A mate, for cash, £100 per day.

[herewego]

Can you get a couple of quotes for whole job and pay him that?

[Spudler]

B17NNS said:

£100 per day.

The above would be fine.

What some of you don't understand is that quite often a plasterers labourer is already halfway handy with a trowel.
It's a natural progression to becoming a spread.

[magooagain]

Spudler said:

The above would be fine.

What some of you don't understand is that quite often a plasterers labourer is already halfway handy with a trowel.
It's a natural progression to becoming a spread.

Agreed as above. He will want to do a good job for you and therefor take great care. I presume he has asked you to get some PVA along with th plaster?

[HOGEPH]

There are only two kinds of plasterers.

Those who can plaster perfectly, and those who can't.

[Neil - YVM]

AC123 said:

Thanks for the input.

Per hour probably easier as he's going to do the odd 3 hour stint in evenings etc and we're not too sure how long it will take.

He's a trustworthy guy.

I've seen his work and it's good, so quality isn't an issue.

I'm thinking £8-£10/hour, going by day rates above?

Edit: I'm paying for all materials etc and will no doubt take him out on the razz at the end as a thank you!

Your maths is a bit out, even a labourer is going to be £10-£12 hr.

As others have said, for a mates rate £100 a day is about right.

If working of an evening, make sure you or he has plenty of lighting.