Rough cost of a (not so rough) plastering job.

[armour]

Hi Richard, I'll put a photo up tonight but I believe the stone/concrete plinth thing is that part of a fireplace which is set into the floor in front (hearth?). It sits slightly proud (lower than) the bottom of the ceiling joists ( less than 5 mm) and there is a coat (10mm) of artex on it.
The guy said that he'd board only up to the plinth and the level would be OK with respect to the plinth. In fact he told me not to chip off the artex.

By the way you mention different expansion/contraction rates, I guess this is not a good way to do it. Would it therefore be better to chip off the artex & use battens so that the whole of the ceiling would be boarded? & if so how much would this add to the cost?

 

[Richard C]

By the way you mention different expansion/contraction rates, I guess this is not a good way to do it.

Your with it. The problem with a large concrete mass is that it will usually crack where the concrete & PB meet, old style concrete lintels usually crack the plaster around their outline for the same reason. It's one of the reasons I asked if you could post some pics.

 

[armour]

I'm at work now so no pics till tonight.
I've got three guys coming round this evening so I guess I should go with the one who mentions the expansion/contraction problem (I'll point out the plinth to them) and a possible solution.
Once again thanks for your input.

 

[armour]

Here's a photo of the offending Plinth. It doesn't move at all but sits 5mm lower than the joist level.
View media item 17047I've just had three guys round.
No1 said he'd use battens to bring out the level of the joists - £360 all in
No2 said he'd PB up to the plinth only - £325
No3 said he'd pack out around the plinth and use adhesive to stick the PB to the concrete He also said he'd use 1/2 inch plasterboard. He's going to phone me later with a quote.
I've still got one quoter coming round at 9.00 tomorrow.
As always, any input gratefully accepted.

 

[Richard C]

No1 said he'd use battens to bring out the level of the joists - £360 all in
No2 said he'd PB up to the plinth only - £325
No3 said he'd pack out around the plinth and use adhesive to stick the PB to the concrete He also said he'd use 1/2 inch plasterboard. He's going to phone me later with a quote.

I’d go with No1; he's thought about the best solution. It’s only a minor difference in level &, now I know the score, I would also go for battens & a board over the whole lot; no chance of problems then. Battening down is a bit more work than I originally thought & £360 “all in” seems a bit low so I would advise you check his “quality” if you can.

My 2nd choice would have been No3 but 5mm is so little difference, you might as well batten down & board the whole lot at a lower level; you won’t notice the difference in ceiling height & it will look so much better.

 

[armour]

I think you're right Richard. keith (No1) was in and out inside 5 mins and told me exactly how he'd do it.
I don't know how I'd check the quality of his work - I guess I'll have to take a chance on that.
I've got a guy who's quoting tomorrow but I think Keith will probably get the job.
Once again, thanks for your help. I feel I've made a more informed choice because of it.

 

[Nige F]

For example, I've heard that nowadays plasterboard isn't always skimmed -In a friend's ( brand new) house you can see the plasterboard nails showing through It may seem that I'm asking a lot but .

still getting bodges in the Smoke then . I get my ceilings done for a ton £ average 10x 10 feet. But that`s in the country.