plaster has done a shit job

[biliouspoo]

Now cracks are appearing I'm finally admitting to myself that the plasterers I hired to do hallway, staircase, a bedroom and basement have done a shit job.

The company I hired seem to have outsourced the plastering work to a guy they hadn't used before. They were very nice and polite, so I feel awful about complaining about standard of their work, but it really wasn't great. I feel like I've paid top rates for low quality work. Lumpy walls and a blotchy paint finish even before cracks started appearing after a week.

I don't know if i should just refuse to pay the bill and not let them come back, or if I have to give them another chance to fix it, which will make it even more embarrassing if I'm not satisfied. Do I ask they send someone else?

I feel like a bitch complaining too (someone's livelihood at stake) but I guess I'll have to live with that or expensive poorly finished walls

How long ago was the plaster done?

Have you had the heating on or allowed it to slowly dry out with bowls of water to stop it drying to quickly?

Was it a complete replaster or plaster board and a skim coat?

How long before it went up was it painted?

I would go back to them and tell them that you'd like someone to come and have a look at the work as you don't think it's up to standard. Keep to the facts - explain the cracks, lumps and blotches. Give them a chance to rectify.

If you don't say anything, someone else will also suffer!

Thanks for advice.

The plastering was just a skim coat on walls of victorian terrace. They did have to remove the old plaster in patches because it was falling off when we they took lining paper off. They put bits of sand and cement (I think) in those areas before skimming. It was painted within a few days - maximum a week later when it was no longer obviously wet.

This was all less than two weeks ago - the areas can't have been over heated because the radiators are still off the walls.

Could the cold weather be causing cracks?

What would the best solution be? Another layer of skimming on top or would it be best to remove the cracking bumpy painted layer?

I'm surprised that they did the filling and skim coat so quickly after one another and I would question this - do those areas fit with were the bulges are? I'd have expected layers to be left around a week in an unheated house at this time of year before a skim coat was added.

Unless its seriously cold (fridge temperatures) in the house I doubt the cold would have an effect on the cracking. The worst thing about the cold is it slows down the drying out process. Cracking is usually a result of drying out too quickly. Some cracking can continue to appear for typically 6 months whilst it completely dries out. I'm talking fine hairline cracks that are easily filled with no real trace with a fine cracks filler.

It seams rather quick to have painted, even if it looked dry. Was this part of their job or something you've done? If its something they've done It would be worth calling them back.

If you've done it you may need to sand back anything that is obviously peeling/ lifting and undercoat with a damp/ stabiliser paint, leave to dry and repaint in the top colour you require. Or sand back leave till the new year, fill any fine cracks and then repaint.

Asking them to re skim the bumpy bits may be your best way forward - or possibly getting a decent electric sander to them, to smooth out before a skim coat would be even better (but very dusty). I'd agree with sanding back any raised paintwork before the skim because the last thing you'd want is flecks of paint mixing with the smooth top coat plaster.

We used the same company to strip, prepare, plaster and paint the walls.

Then you are in a strong position to call them out and discuss the quality of the finished job. If you're still holding the cash then you also have the leverage to get them out.

I think you need to give them the opportunity to rectify their work in a reasonable time frame.

There is nothing bitchy about asking for mistakes to be rectified. Bumpy walls and peeling paint are mistakes.

If they are a reputable local company they would rather you contact them than tell 20 other local people about their shoddy work (no quicker way to kill a business).

Good luck with it and don't beat yourself up - you're doing nothing wrong.