Where’s the job?

Scope of Works

• Inspect drywall and existing plaster to identify cracks, loose sections and moisture damage

• remove loose plaster and skim off failed finishes ready for repair

• replace small sections of damaged plasterboard or backboard where required

• tape joints and apply base coats of joint compound or plaster, followed by a finishing skim for a smooth surface

• sand and clean down repaired areas, apply primer and then undercoat and two topcoats of agreed paint

• protect floors, fittings and furniture with dust sheets and use dust control and PPE while working

• clear and remove waste, leave site tidy and touch up any adjacent surfaces as agreed

Typical Cost

Time on Site

Typical small patch repairs and a single-room skim and paint take 4–8 hours; larger rooms or full replaster and two-coat painting usually take 1–3 days. Factors that extend time include drying times between coats, the extent of repairs, moisture or mould remediation, restricted access and requirement for scaffolding

Questions to Ask Your Tradie

• can you show examples or references of similar plaster and paint jobs?

• what preparation, primer and paint system do you recommend and why?

• how many coats will you apply and how long before the area can be used again?

• who is responsible for moving furniture, protecting surfaces and clearing debris?

• will you need scaffold or tower and what access/parking arrangements are required?

• what guarantee or remedial period do you provide for plastering and paint work?

How to Avoid Surprises

• clear or cover furniture and remove wall-hangings before work starts

• confirm parking or loading space for the trades van and any scaffold delivery

• tell the tradie about any damp, mould or previous leaks so they can allow time for remediation

• check building or communal rules for working hours and scaffold permissions

• ensure a nearby power supply and agree on any noisy works times

• secure pets and inform neighbours if access or scaffolding affects communal areas