FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the quoting process?

When you call or message me, I'll arrange a convenient time to call in and take a look at the work required. I'll then provide a written quote. Sometimes, I can produce a quote from photos alone, depends on several factors, but I can discuss this with you.

If I accept your quote, what happens then?

I'll offer you some dates. I run an efficient diary, so the dates, arrival times and job duration are clear for you.

Do you subcontract?

I'm a one-man-band, I always do the work and never sub it out

What happens to the rubbish?

I always take the rubbish and it's disposed of legally.

Are the quotes estimates or fixed?

I prefer it when things are clear, so that's how I run my business. It's in the quote, but the prices are fixed, including materials and labour and I don't charge VAT. Every now and then an unusual job pops up, for example if there's cladding to be removed and the wall underneath can't be assessed so there are unknowns, but even then it'll be stated in the quote.

I want my artex ceiling plastered, is this possible?

Around half of the work I do is skimming over artex. There's a few things to check - how sound is the current plasterboard, or is it original lath and plaster, if so, how stable is this. I will asses it and advise you. Most of the time it's a case of scrape the high points, PVA and away we go, but if there's an underlying issue that will cause problems down the line then it can often be overboarded and skimmed.

When can I paint the new plaster?

Newly plastered surfaces need to dry out fully before you can paint them. How long this takes depends are several factors. Temperature, humidity, the surface that the plaster went on, the thickness of the plaster. As a very general guide, a 3mm skim coat onto plasterboard in May would take 3-4 days to dry.

Can I speed up the drying process?

It's best to let the plaster dry naturally. Speeding up the drying process can weaken the plaster as it's intially curing. Definitely don't use a dehumidifier, even if you do see it on TV.

How should I paint the new plaster?

The plaster will be very porous when dry, so it's essential to add water to the first coat of paint (mist coat). I always recommend 50/50 water and paint mix. If the paint is too thick, it could sit on the surface, craze or peel. One myth is to use PVA, this is not the thing to do as PVA re-works with moisture and could cause blistering of the paint.

How should I paint new render?

If you have smooth finish render that requires painting then I strongly recommend using a silicate paint like this. It's a breathable paint that allows moisture to escape. All around you can see houses with bubbling paint, this is due to a cheap DIY store paint being used that doesn't breathe, acts like clingfilm and causes the paint to bubble.

Should I seal new coloured render?

I advise using a sealer on newly finished coloured render. This helps with controlling the dustiness of the new surface, protects from dirt and algae and will keep it looking fresher for longer. Something like this.

Are you insured?

Yes, I have full liability insurance

How do you protect the workspace?

I use tarpaulins, taped at the sides and use cushioning on fragile surfaces. Mixing is carried out on mxing trays and sheeting too.