Is This Quote Reasonable?

[wolf63]

I have just received a quote of £2,500 for painting two bedrooms, living room and hallway. It includes painting a large wooden wardrobe. He has quoted 65 litres of Dulux paint. Vat included.

I have heard nothing but good things about this guy and his standard of work.

The flat will be empty.

[youngmafbog]

My SIL is a plasterer and I often go help him.

Plasters generally charge a daily rate (mostly for other builders) or on sq footage. On a single wall some may be added as there is a setup time and wait time for a small amount (You have to let the plaster set before 'finishing', usually you setup another wall whilst the other one goes off). Extras will also be added for curves and particularly awkward bits and th condition of the wall in the first place).

[Ken4155]

^
No, Dizmo. Never did anything other than decorating. Had a mate who was a plasterer and we'd recommend each other to customers.
I price my jobs up by working out just how long it would take me going at a normal, steady pace. Then i multiply the number of days by my daily rate. The thing is, i cannot do a 'normal, steady pace', i have to be 'at it from the start', even having both morning and afternoon tea-breaks 'on the go', meaning i finish in less time. I make my customers aware of this so that they don't think i've conned them.

[Dizmo]

//I am never going to move home again.//

Now there are 8 words that I've used on more than one occasion (NEVER AGAIN, I SCREAM). I hope, for the sake of your own sanity, that is the case. My future father-in-law's attitude to us moving was enough to make me never want to move again. Where we are now is where we are staying to my clogs are popped.

Good luck with getting moved into your new house. As far as an answer to your question, I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said by everyone else. I think I'd have to agree with Anne, if he has been recommended to you by someone you know (even better if you've seen the work first-hand), go with that person and pay on completion and after you've inspected his work. He may want you to pay for the materials beforehand (either in full, or a part payment), however I'm sure you already know all that.

Good luck and don't forget my invite when you've got settled in. I'll bring some chocolate coated/covered gifts with me. ;)

[Dizmo]

The reason I asked about plastering is because my mum had some plastering done for her downstairs toilet. His rate was £25 per wall and £40 per ceiling. The layout of the room was not that of a 'typical room', I'm not sure how to describe it any better than that. There was a slither of wall, about 3" wide, between the door and the side wall. The back wall wasn't straight, it had a recess for what I think may have been for pipework, I really don't know. He charged her for 7 'walls' and 1 ceiling. I just found it very odd.

Any way, I don't want to take over Wolf's thread (sorry Wolf), I just thought I'd ask whilst you both were about. Thank you for your replies Ken and YMB.

[wolf63]

Thanks to everyone (even Dizmo ☺)

This guy comes highly recommended and he is very approachable. He uses only Dulux paint.

I have looked at the photos on their website and his work does look very good.

So - I will arrange for him to come to do his stuff after the electricians have checked the stuff that they have to check.

I will probably be back

[Zacs-Master]

'He uses only Dulux paint'

Make sure its Dulux Trade 'Diamond'.

[wolf63]

Zac - it is.

[Zacs-Master]

Super! He sounds like a good choice.