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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I can do the plastering myself?

126 replies

CochonDinde · 18/01/2020 20:14

I'm fancying getting my downstairs rooms re-plastered. I'm fairly handy when it comes to DIY (single mum too so no partner to assist), but admittedly plastering is never something I've done. AIBU to reckon I can have a crack? Or am I likely to balls up my house? Anyone here do their own plastering?

OP posts:

InionEile · 19/01/2020 01:26

Hope you have bulging upper biceps and a six-pack, OP! It's a very physical task and requires a lot of repetitive upper arm movements over and over again, like polishing a table but with heavy plaster and a trowel. I wouldn't recommend it.

My FIL is in the building trade and my DH spent a couple of summers working with him plastering houses and he said his upper arms were always red raw after a day's work because of the strain of it. It'll look a mess if you don't do it right.

Gemma2019 · 19/01/2020 02:20

Two things I'd never even bother attempting again are plastering and carpet fitting. Definitely worth paying professionals.

candative · 19/01/2020 06:03

Sounds as though if you can get your brother to be on call for a few tips to get you started you could do this and be set up for life. My dad always plastered (not at all his trade) and the results were okay but not as good or as quick as a professional. Definitely good enough. He always said it was exhausting and hard and the shoulder/arm he plastered with. I have done patching up and lining paper on rugged walls to achieve great results, I'm too chicken to plaster a full wall.

VirtualHamster · 19/01/2020 07:00

The one thing I would say, is it really helps to have someone to mix for you. Part of the skill in plastering is working with the time available, it's not like other things where you can just go slow and really take your time. So it really helps to have someone mixing for you.

SparkyBlue · 19/01/2020 08:02

Plastering is a skilled trade and no way would I try it. We have a plasterer in the family and he earns top rates and is continuously busy. He is in constant demand as he is known for his perfection. No way could I copy him.

adaline · 19/01/2020 08:10

My DH is a plasterer by trade and it took him years to get to the skill level he's at. He's exceptionally good (and quick) at what he does but he has been doing it since he was 14!

It's a very physical job and it can easily go wrong. I really think it's something you should leave to the professionals.

adaline · 19/01/2020 08:12

Thing is if you attempt it and it goes tits-up it's going to be a real pain for whoever has to come along and fix it. Plus it will cost you much more money.

It's one thing doing painting and basic DIY but there's a reason professionals have had to have years of training and qualifications in order to succeed at what they do.

Saoirse7 · 19/01/2020 10:24

If it all goes tits up it won't rectified that cheaply or easily. To remedy a botched job is far more work for the tradesman and can cost you almost double.

To be fair, I think that it's a little dismissive of you to think that a job some people have spent years perfecting can be picked quite so easily.

You asked for advice and have been told overwhelmingly to steer clear and get a professional but you have decided to go for it anyway. Not entirely sure why you asked for opinions to begin with

Original poster

CochonDinde · 19/01/2020 10:34

Apologies, didnt realise it was such a contentious post I've been spurred on by the ladies who have done it - that is why I asked. I can practice first and as I say my brother can be on call for tips if I need. I'll do a lot of research first and tutorials. I'm ex-forces and still run and lift, so yes I'm physically fit. I wasn't sure of the cost to rectify and it's been mentioned that it'll be double, which I can live with if needed. Nobody bats an eyelid when a bloke does it himself for the first time - so I'm prepared to give it a go too. Thanks all!

OP posts:

VirtualHamster · 19/01/2020 10:41

I got blisters , but no other aches and pains. I know my Dad was amazed my shoulders/arms weren't bothering me, but I swim a lot so my arms are used to getting a workout. Tiling the floor was much harder work physically for me.

spongejack · 19/01/2020 10:48

My dad was a plasterer, many a DIY job he had to remedy! It's a no from me.

spongejack · 19/01/2020 10:52

OP should I do it myself?

97% no don't do that

OP ok, thanks for your thoughts I'm going to do it myself, after all if I was a man you wouldn't say don't! No one said don't do it because your female, they said don't do it because it's a skill.

Not sure why you've bothered posting to ask!

Biker47 · 19/01/2020 10:52

Like most things, you can do it, it'll take longer and be shitter compared with a professionals work if you have no experience or training on it, but you can still do it, nothing stopping you.

adaline · 19/01/2020 10:55

Nobody bats an eyelid when a bloke does it himself for the first time - so I'm prepared to give it a go too.

I'd think anyone was a bit stupid for trying to do it themselves - male or female. There's a good reason plasterers go to college and train for several years on the job before being allowed to go off and do it unaccompanied. It's hard work and takes a lot of skill to do it properly.

I don't know why people just assume they can just do something that professionals train for ages to qualify for! You can't learn to plaster from a YouTube video

Biker47 · 19/01/2020 10:56

I also say that; as a man, who wouldn't do plastering myself, even though I have an engineering and manufacturing background with multiple different skills the same and comparable to many different trades. Fuck plastering.

Auridon4life · 19/01/2020 10:57

It's really really hard I wouldnt bother

VirtualHamster · 19/01/2020 11:00

I do think it probably requires some sort of natural ability. When we did the first room, both the OH and I had a go and he quickly let me do it all as i was just much much better than him.

I'd think anyone was a bit stupid for trying to do it themselves

Must be a bit stupid then

Original poster

CochonDinde · 19/01/2020 11:04

Chill those who are getting offended, please I should have made clearer that I have one (cupboard-like) room that I can practice in. If it goes TERRIBLE I'll call a plasterer in for the main rooms. If it goes ok, I'll have a crack. I was looking for opinions from others who have done it, which I got. This is not a democracy.

Thanks all!

OP posts:

wonkylegs · 19/01/2020 11:08

I've done it before and it was hard going and you do need to practice a bit as well as planning how you are going to tackle it. I got a book from the library as when I did it we still had dial up internet.
That said we paid someone to do the bathrooms and kitchen for speed and ease when we did them a couple of years ago.
I stuck to the patching after the electrician had been in.
I think as long as you go in with eyes open and a back up plan - why not.

spongejack · 19/01/2020 11:09

@CochonDinde well why didn't you ask you plastering tips then.....

All very odd!

AIBU
YES
NO IM NOT YOU ALL NEED TO CHILL

So post photos of your efforts.

Original poster

CochonDinde · 19/01/2020 11:12

It is odd isn't it how her up some folk get over things that will have zero effect on their lives.. very funny though!

I've went off the opinions of people who have answered who have actually tried it themselves. Which was overwhelmingly 'go for it' after practicing. Which is what I will do. The system works

OP posts:

spongejack · 19/01/2020 11:16

@CochonDinde very very wise move, ignore anyone the majority with a different opinion! I mean what could possibly go wrong??

adaline · 19/01/2020 11:18

Why do you think people are offended just because they disagree with you?

VirtualHamster · 19/01/2020 11:21

My first ceiling

To think I can do the plastering myself?

WeeSleekitTimerousMoosey · 19/01/2020 11:23

I plastered our bathroom many years ago, full in the knowledge that the tiling would hide a multitude of sins. I reckon I did an OK job as far as rank amateurs go but there is no way I'd be attempting a living room where the results are much more on display. It really is one for the professionals in my view. Very difficult to do well.

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