1. Are you licensed?
You may not know it, but most tradies need a licence to operate. This is in addition to their training and qualifications – and is designed to provide an additional layer of security/protection for homeowners. And while the requirements differ from state to state, most trades need a licence before they can work in your home. In NSW for example you must have a licence before you do any residential building work that is valued at more than $5000 (incl GST) in labour and materials.
2. What type of plastering do you specialise in?
Ok, so there are two types of plastering – wet and dry – and a plasterer will often specialise in one or the other. Drywall plaster is used to create partitions or walls in a building, and could also be called plasterboard or Gyprock®. Wet plaster is a mixture of lime, cement or gypsum and water, and is typically applied to an internal or external wall using a trowel. This produces a smooth or textured surface over brickwork or plasterboard, and allows you to paint the surface afterwards. You may also come across ornamental plaster, where moulds are used to create decorative elements like ceiling roses, cornices and friezes.
3. What is your experience?
Experience counts in life, and this also applies to the plastering tradie or business you are looking to hire. You want to know that they have experience doing your type of job. This is especially true for more specialised jobs like ornamental plastering, but also applies to getting the right finish for the plaster on your wall. You can ask them for evidence of their experience, and they may direct you to their website, Facebook page or hipages profile for examples of their work.
4. How much do you cost?
This is one question which always comes up for obvious reasons – you want to know how much you are going to be up for. When you get quotes from plasterers, they’ll typically work out a rate based on the area being plastered. In terms of a per square metre rate, expect hard plaster rates from $20 to $70 per square metre, from $45 to $90 per square metre for wet plaster and $15 per linear metre for ornate Victorian cornice. If you are looking for a flat fee for your entire house, expect a 3 bedroom home could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000. You will pay more for intricate plasterwork, and these amounts do not include removal of existing plaster or if your home has difficult access.
5. Can you produce a written quote?
You really need to get a written quote for larger jobs. Think of it as an insurance policy against any nasty surprises down the track. You need to see a breakdown of all the materials and labour charge, and what work is actually included in the quote. A written quote should also detail the business’s key information, like the name, address, phone number, licence number, ABN and payment conditions. The validity of the quote – typically 30 days or less – is also often detailed on a quote.
6. Have you got references from past clients?
A tradie or business’s past record is a great way of working out if they are right for your job. One of the best ways to check this is to find out how they performed on previous jobs. You can do this by checking their website, hipages profile or by reading any Google reviews or other online review sites. Word of mouth is another powerful tool – especially if it comes from someone you know and trust like friends and family.
Armed with this knowledge you should be in a better position to hire a reputable local plasterer – and ensure your walls get the finish they deserve!
