This applies to all trades… what a great vid… I’m at this stage as a self employed painter… Iv been going over all these points for a while now in my head.
Spot on Kirk 👍🏻 in the past I didn't realise that my sole trader business had to run at a profit, I just wanted a wage!. The penny dropped when a new van was required and I didn't have the money, so I borrowed a tun of money for said van because otherwise I had no business!! People think all that money you get from jobs goes into your back pocket but it doesn't, there's Tax to pay, liability insurance, van insurance, MOT''s consumables, tools, etc. then there's all them night's looking at jobs, you never get paid for that bit. Today is Saturday and I have to run around for the best part of the day getting stuff for Monday morning... down time sorting stuff also needs paying for too! Rant over 🙂 Again top video Kirk looking forward to your next 👍🏻👍🏻
A few years ago I had a plasterer do a water damaged bedroom ceiling for me that needed a 5x4 patch of plasterboard cutting in and a skim. Initially it looked like it was only a 4x3 but it grew on close inspection. He moaned so much at the extra size of the patch that I told him straight that if he wanted to quit the job I would pay him for his time to that point and he could leave. He stayed and moaned all through the work. I never had him back despite needing some more work elsewhere.
Nice one Kirk. I always work cheap for the poor elderly and sometimes for free, I did a 3 hour job 2 weeks ago for a little nice old lady who I could tell didn’t have much money, sitting there with her dog telling me her dvd playing had gone wrong, so after I had first finished the work I took a look at the DVD player and could tell it was the laser had pack up, as I was getting ready to leave the lady said can you call back tomorrow for your money, I said the job is free put the money towards a new DVD player. Every job I have done in the last 48 years I have always given my best and most people’s properties are cleaner when I leave then before I went in, I can also say I have never let anyone down if i say I will be there on a certain da and time jam there, I do find it very bad to train some youngsters up to do the same so I tend to just work on my own now, as long as I have my tea ☕️ and radio 📻 I am singing and happy, I am know locally as the singing plasterer 😊
Hi Kirk, Excellent video - just found it. The points you make are absolutely spot on. I've been in construction management and maintenance for over 40 years. I once was quoting for a job at a solicitors office. The person I was dealing with wanted me to give him an hourly rate. He was adamant so I flippantly said I would charge the same hourly rate that he charges for his work. "That's rediculous I charge £400 per hour as a solicitor", I said "spooky same as me" - didn't get the job, or want it.
Is it just me or are there others who have nothing to do with plastering or trades what so ever but find this bloke so charismatic, so intelligent, a very genuine friendly and caring bloke. With bags of Whitt. Can’t stop watching his videos. He’s probably the most genuine and kind tradesman I’ve ever watched on UA-cam. Keep up the great work Kirk. Your an amazing human being. With a kind heart and loving soul. From me and my young family, merry Christmas & happy new year.
Exactly right mate . Priced a domestic ceiling job other day 3 days work , went £350 a day + materials and got the job , Came recommended, and client knows it will be left cleaner than I found it 👍👍
Good advice. As a homeowner we chose a plasterer that got back to us as promised, is honest in terms of when he can fit us into his schedule, and he gave us some advice about how we could help him (clearing rooms if we could, disconnecting downlighters etc). As a homeowner it’s also worth asking us when you come to price a job (a room) if we are going to need more work doing later. So whenever we move area and need a new plasterer the first room (normally small/downstairs toilet) is actually a test, to see how reliable/good you are. If you pass the test you get the rest of the house which is where you’ll make a lot more money.
Hi Kirk, Totally agree with you ... have done plenty of "free" jobs in my time too but have never walked away with nothing ... on some occasions even getting literally what I would have charged in the first place, and on a couple of occasions even more so! Even when it's been charity work I seem to get forced into taking something! REPUTATION is everything ... be efficient, clean up after yourself, be on time and communicate with them when you can't give the customer exactly what they are after. (NOT always possible, as some customers, unfortunately, do not live in the real world 🤣) but above all else ... as you say ... Be the best you can be for them! Give them value! Let them see the value you are offering and you'll never be without work, no matter what you are charging!
This is the best pro- trade channel I’ve watched….it’s because you are such an engaging story teller. You could easily branch out into other stuff, please ignore the wife and do more videos - with your character you could grow this into a sizeable channel.
You are honest person . I agree for everything that you have said...most of the people would not think the way you think...your videos hopefully will help the others out there..
Hi Kirk I did what you said for years but the area that I was in was full of tradesmen so the home owners and Builders in this area often called 3 different plasterers to price a small say £ 100 job . They were playing us against one another . I can understand this if the job was more expensive but I found that their expectations were not the same the figure most of them had in their mind was around £ 100 for a days work , I’m going back about 15 years or so now but I came across so many time wasters , if you were the first to look at the job the next guy would ask them what your price was then undercut you It didn’t matter that I had a decent van or that I had good manners had a good website and showed references or photos lots of them didn’t realise that There were bad plasterers good plasterers and good very clean plasterers Us guys need to start working together we need to set a decent rate and now that fuel is so expensive we need to collectively charge a small fee just to price the work even if it’s a tenner , I’ve wasted thousands of hours of my life being messed around by people just trying to get the cheapest possible price not to mention the complete waste of fuel Lots of these jobs were for Domestic customers who of course have no idea of prep , sheeting , tools and hundreds of trips back and forth emptying the bloody van and repacking it 😢 Also I found that most guys worked without a helper just to keep the cost down and earn a little extra for doing the work of 2 people I work for my son now as I’m older now he pays me £ 180 a day cash . There are 6 of us so we can box the work between us and 5 vans His work is mainly medium to large new builds My standard of work is similar to yours and I’m very tidy and friendly A lot of the problem with our trade is that we are at the back end of most trades , they get their share of the money but if the job goes tits up the plasterer , decorator tiler gardener are squeezed and expected to help the poor builder or property developer out 😊 Just like to say that your site is fantastic and your a very good Teacher and a very nice plaster Take care Harry Essex
It's the painter and decorator that really gets screwed. A lot of the time they don't even get the job as the house owner is out of money and do it themselves.
Spot on kirk, i price it like this! If i have 1 weeks work in a quote cheap as i need to work, if i have 2 week work in my day rate goes up, 3 weeks work it goes up again and again and again untill i get to double my day rate.... And have a policy of mates rates are to he offered and not asked for as if they ask you to take a pay cut they are not much of a mate... 👍 I dont really agree with guessing a price face to face though.. i sit down with a brew, check material prices and weigh up any issues then text The quote over so that you both have a record of whats being done and for what price....
It's so true about turning up on time. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can't get trades people to show up at all half the time. I'm always friendly, don't haggle pricing, pay invoices promptly, and I don't even complain if I'm not happy with the work. It must be my face or something.
Spot on big yin ..I have been doing domestic plastering as a sole trader for 35 years and took me about 10 years to realise I was loosing work for being to cheap ,Great advice I wish you were doing these videos in the 80s 😀😀
‘Dropping knowledge bombs brother! Specialised highly skilled experienced labour is worth a fortune nowadays. Love the way say higher your value and higher your price. NO PROFIT = NO BUSINESS
This mindset is not just for plasters, i do exactly the same in my biz which is Blacksmithing and steel fabrication, always busy with my rep and struggling to cope with the work, even with 5 men with my mindset working for me. Be the best in your area and will always be busy, the customers aren't just paying for the job but the experience and knowledge you've learnt over the years
Word for word that is what i do and say to customers. I gave estimates on the door step, and ask if its in there budget. And if they say ill have a word with the missus or have a face on, i know there and then i dont be going back. Found this channel today. Liking it so far Kirk
Well said great video plasterers are always made to feel like messy workers etc but as you said if you clean up tidy up hoover etc people appreciate it more
A very Honest vid something you rarely know your getting from a tradesman obviously aimed at other plasters in the trade but will be watched by all those DIYers out there that think they can plaster....im not one of them..thanks very enjoyable watch
Brilliant video again mate on a subject that doesn’t get discussed enough. Far too many numpties out there charging peanuts and massively devaluing the trade, you’d get more a day stacking shelves in Aldi for what some plasterers are charging round our way it’s absolute madness. These are the same lads tho that are outside smoking joints between sets and leaving their empty cans of monster energy in the back garden 😂 Quality isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t quality and that applies to the whole experience from start to finish 👊🏼
Honestly your spot on regarding the building trade . If only government would do the same tax’s the super rich and help out the poor with the taxes we pay
Mate, your an honest fella and everything you have spoke about I get. I am multi skilled, bathrooms installs, kitchen installs, basically all around and what you said I have been through in the past 12 years. Honouring is the key, nail on the head
Great insight - recently bought a house that has artex throughout and have been working through the house and getting a plasterer to skim it - I had a semi-retired plasterer doing them for around £160 per ceiling (3-4 hours work) and he let done 4, he completely ghosted me on the last 2 ceilings I needed doing (they're awkward ones). Found another local plasterer that I think overcharged me but I was happy to pay if it was a sterling job - paid them £480 for 2 ceilings and it took 2 of them just under 4 hours. I was gutted it didn't take that long but happy with the result - I've noticed some imperfections now that have annoyed me a bit. Lesson for me is, the job costs what the job costs, if you're overpaying you expect the absolute best.
Totally agree, customer service and a pride in what you do is very important. Do what you say your going to do and get it spot on is key . We constantly have at least 40 cars in front of us to repair and not advertised for over ten years. Makes your own life a lot easier. Great video and a pleasure to watch.
Bro, your videos are amazing. I've been a drywall finisher in the states for 25 years. Your videos have helped me start selling plaster where I'm at and increased my value by a factor of 10. There isn't much plaster where I'm at but the people are so rich and no one here does it anymore so I only have to do 8-10 jobs a year do get by. Anything else is extra. So I have so much extra time to spend with my family and the people I care about now. Thank you and guys like you. These videos have actually changed my life for the better. You rock!!
What your saying is right on paper but the problem I find is things like check a trade and my builder . The amount of jobs I’ve lost to gardeners “who plaster” when it’s raining .all because they’ve gone £20 cheaper
Firstly thanks for sharing your knowledge, really enjoy these episodes - I'm a chippy who plasters (for 20 years now) and I've picked up a few good tips! Secondly, I agree with most of your pricing strategy but coming down to meet their budget is something I don't do. I've always told my customer I'll give you my best price first time which is a price I value myself at. For me this keeps me credible and should I price up a job they recommend me for, the prices will match (if you understand). This works for me and now booking late autumn. ATB Rich
I have the same mentality as you, being helpful and having a good reputation are key for me. Currently helping the village vicar out restoring the old school for this village. Helps I live next door lol
Agreed.....This is always the case....Money is not really the issue....it's the value you give as you mention.... If money was the real issue...nobody would buy £200 Nike trainers when a £30 pair of Pumas woll do the same job.....Why buy an £80k Merc....When a Ford Fiesta will do. Perceived value and quality etc.. is where it's at.
Kirk im a Bricky and am in the building game and what you say is Spot on but what the Customer is also paying for is your Years of Knowledge and Serving your time in the Trade So you know the Job Inside out Its Like When A Customer Complains about Plumbers who've been there for an Hour and charged £200 there paying him for his Time Fuel and His Served time in the game that's what there Paying for Thats what We went to College for and Seving our Time for 4-5 year on a Pittance for
My tutor helps me with pricing a job, I’m starting to get the hang of it. I make it clear I’m still learning, so it may take a little longer than a time served plastere. So my price reflects that and if they are able to work with me it’s all good. I always do a good job and get very good feedback. So far I’ve worked on old building with lists of hidden issues 😂😩😅
Its hard when your starting out; I remember loosing jobs for being too cheap, and winning jobs I overpriced because I didn't want them. Eventually I figured out that by charging a little more I can spend a little extra time sheeting up or whatever. The odd bit for me was that when you get really busy and take on a lad, people are happy to pay more for the same jobs because there's two of you; even when the lads wattless.
Top bloke Kirk your right in everything you say I’ve had peeps say it only take you an hr ! What do they know? you have to get there to do it setup ie cover floor etc them am the 1s to keep away from lol ye I’ve have done them in the past but know more , they pay for the skill that you have taken to learn In my case 43yrs old codger now lol but love the job satisfaction of it when finished god I’m sad lol agin fair play to you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Kirk You right about the single mums,I done a ceiling that came down from water splashing out over the bath this week for one,and she turned out to be the best payer I’ve had😉🤫,found loads of work there to be done now 🙄
Fair points well made, you will be thrown out the magic circle …no plasterer discussed prices amongst each other.it’s all a bit secretive lol. I’m guilty for pricing to cheap , I used to price on how cheap I could do if for and remain competitive.that’s completely wrong it should be how much I can charge.I found I could never go in gung ho , i new the market and was always near enough and that was never mega bucks, if the customer got 3 quotes and your the highest I’m afraid I would lose
I’ve found in forty years of being in the building trade people remember the quality of the job and you could ask them a year later how much you charged and they probably wouldn’t recommend but they would remember if you didn’t do a not very good job I’ve never advertised because you don’t need to great videos
I am a Plumber by trade but worked with my dad off and on most of my life. He was a Plasterer. I understand where you are coming from and agree with everything you said. Just one thing I would add, my Dad always gave me this advice. That is always allow yourself enough time to do the job properly. Not just putting it on and troweling it up. Allow time for getting there, getting the stuff and tidying up. The stuff doesn't know you need it or where to go and it doesn't put itself away when you have finished. It takes your time up and time is more valuable than money once its gone you can't get it back.
Broadly agree but I think the difference is you can see what you are getting with a car, you don’t know when you employ a tradesperson if you are getting someone honest and hard working like yourself who will do an excellent job (prestige model 😂), or someone pricing similar to you who plans to rip you off it isn’t capable of a great job. In fact sometimes people think the more expensive quote must be better so can get caught out. Would be better in my opinion if there were guide prices for work to give you an idea of what to expect and registered professional status for many trades so that there is comeback when it goes wrong. Loving the channel 👍🏻
my Fiting charges are more than others, and when customers say they have had cheaper quotes, I then tell them, my prices also cover my 40 plus years experience, the majority of quotes i do, I get the job.
Create a new spreadsheet that makes in data like meters needed to plaster, beads for corners, tape, plaster board, plaster, rubbish clearance etc Then have the spread sheet calculate the price of the job based on different variables. Like number of days, difficulty of job, urgency, travel costs etc Then give the customer an itemised invoice so they know what they are being charged for.
Plastering a funny world now our days i been a plasterer 25 years now it will always be the hardest job in the trade my right soldier is hurting bad now ceilings always be the hardest. So true what you saying on prices not the same anymore to many young people in the trade think there can do it. It takes years to get where you are today doing great jobs for customers and trust. one thing in the game never think about the money first. thing about the job first doing a good job and the customer. Just saying
Another great video Kirk. I would never have thought a video on how much to charge for plastering would be so enjoyable! Some great advice in there. Thank you.
I love the exaggeration of your own accent, I'll just ave 200 pound mate 🤣🤣. Some helpful business tips there Kirk, I make and sell furniture on the side ( oil pipelines is the main job) but the pricing/ valve theory is the same. Started out making just a little bit of money, then soon realised it was Bearley worth my time. I charge a fair price now with a little profit built in to weather the quiet times.....as you say! The plastering is for my own house only, don't feel confident enough to have a go in someone else's yet 🤣. Getting better though with the help from you! Cheers Mate
I charge minimum £824.99 per room, more if its a larger room. I wouldn't get out of bed for any less. My customers are all high end clients, a Listers, elites, billionaires, etc. When I have completed the job the room will be perfectly flat, the wall so smooth that if you closed your eyes and felt the wall you'd think it's glass. My finishing is that pristine. If there are any imperfections in the wall, I give a full money back guarantee. I have never had to give a refund yet and I've been doing it for over 30 years. I don't mean to brag, but I am probably the best plasterer in the world.
I live in an above average 1930”s doer upper in North Wales and everyone seems to try and over charge for everything based on the size of the house because they assume we are good for cash, we had new windows and they are the same size as an average size house, the price was more than double from some quotes per window that I’ve had people recommend as they’d just had the work done. I understand everyone needs to make a profit but people turn up and see pound signs because of the size of the house and what’s around it and the views. I just want to be priced for the size of the job and not the size of the house, I’d be happier to have them back for repeat work room by room
32 years as drywall Plasterer in Australia. I was too cheap for years. Then one night I sat down and did a budget for the year . All costs including entertainment ,fuel ,superannuation, , investments, mortgage , the lot. Then I decide I want to work 200 days per year. That 4 days per week . Worked out what was needed after taxes in my hand. I now use that daily figure for charging. I find I get probably half my quotes. A smart business guy told me if you are getting most of your quotes you are too cheap. 50% of your quotes still too cheap. 25 % is getting close. Now I laugh when my competition wins the job for Sweet F all. Did it for too long.
Morning Kirk I agree with all you say I’ve been decorating over 40 years and self employed 14years Best advise hone your skill until your the best, Have a personality, ease them in firstly talk about anything but the job, pets holidays kids anything Even tho the jobs shite never say it’s a shit job just make out it no big deal and price accordingly Yep do the odd bit for nowt goes a long way not many ask tho. Kirk got to say it’s nice to see a plasterer that can actually can plaster 90% of what I see is dog shite But the customer carnt see it last thing you want to do is burst there bubble when they’ve paid good money for in my eyes is shit so you have to be tactfull soon as you paint it shows everything. I don’t recommend plasterers as I get asked all the time as I don’t know any good ones pity you aren’t a bit closer to Harrogate Also Kirk your right be on time and leave the job immaculate. I only do private work I avoid builders and commercial work they don’t want to pay and make you wait ages for a few quid private work is the best, in and out get paid straight away, pass your name on. Anyway I’m going on keep uploading Kirk your doing a great job at this UA-cam I can see why customers like you you’ve got a great personality
quoting for work as always been difficult, thanks for making it a lot easier and from now on more profitable. Will be sending you a beer, Great channel pal
Just found your channel on UA-cam, what an amazing tradesman you are. nowadays that’s the hardest thing so many people call themselves tradesmen I call them cowboys. your videos are very informative and I must say you are very amusing along with it . Thanks Top Man
Nice video, great mindset thinking! You’re like the Robin Hood of plastering 😂👍🏻 I think I’m losing work for being too cheap, but that’s based on clowns charging way too much which are prevalent I need to charge at least the same as them, but in my mind I’m raping the customer:(
If you are a good plasterer. Ie can skim out a decent sized room a day to a high standard, then if you are charging any less than 250 a day now you are selling yourself short. It's a dirty, repetitive, hard and highly skilled job that takes years to become good at. The price of everything has gone up. Especially fuel and food so why shouldn't you be charging more? If you're only charging 150 or 200 a day, take off your van, tools, insurance, tax etc etc. You will be left with F all.
The price of everything hasn’t gone up, the value of the pound has gone down due to government currently debasement. It’s a stealth tax, don’t let the government fool you.
I once followed two polish 'plasterers' after they had done a job for a lady. It was horrendous; they had rolled it on and left it and charged her £500 for two walls! They told her that as it dries/sets it will flow out and become flat and smooth ready for paint. I replastered the two walls for her for two cups of tea and some lovely butterfly cakes :) She was in tears bless her, I did it to show her the process of getting it flat, I told her that there is no such thing as self-levelling plaster and if anyone turned up to do any more for her she was to keep an eye on them. So many chancers out there ruining people's lives and all for a bit of cash - shameful.
Self employed contractors must develop an emergency fund and a low work fund, ie winter time, rainy days, holidays, sick days etc.. Emergency fund, new tools. Van repairs or replacement, insurance, tax, clothes etc
I think plasterers are close to pricing themselves out of the trade. There’s easy to use products on the market now so that anyone can do plastering, one example is Knauf Super Finish very easy. Builders will be doing their own plastering and DIYers. Don’t undercharge but be fair after all it’s a trade not a doctorate. I was given a quote a couple of weeks ago for 2 small rooms and a stair well 4K without materials the 2nd quote I got was 3k they must have watched your video 😂now I’m doing the job myself!
Very silly thing to say fella! I have been a plasterer for years and still come across jobs that are a struggle at times and still have problems where conditions might make the plaster just start going off all of a sudden and you have a massive ceiling you are trying to get smooth and polished on your own! Like I say I have been a plasterer for years, all kinds of plastering a lot of lime work (lath and plaster) skimming, rendering. Some days the work can be so hard you think to yourself oh my god! Why the fu*k am I doing this for a living I need to get out! You don't because it's all you know and most of us who do it love it, even though we go home in pain, sometimes agony every day. I'm sorry to say to you its unfortunate if people are offended by what we charge but we are worth every penny, those who do a good job because no matter what you say about your bag of knauf! You couldn't do it and nor can most because most sensible people don't want to work that hard and also it takes years to get good at. So I don't see plasterers pricing themselves out any time soon, unless it's a tiny ceiling or something other than that I think we will be just fine 😉
I am really interested in these type of videos as sometimes i try to get people to work on the house and then they don't show up or never give me a quote afterwards or keep pushing the jobs back weeks an weeks then they forget...I mean, I dont know I even question myself, is it something i said, is the job too big or too small... I haven't got a clue most times
Just started watching ur vids as a spread too love the krend advice u give dont get why you went into scouse mode there over 200 quid to plaster ur kitchen mate 🤷♂️
Here’s a thought: When talking about average daily rates are you including the price for the labourer or is that factored in separately? If so how is that priced in? I’ve done a fair amount of plastering on rental maintenance contracts and appreciate how much more can be achieved with a willing helper who may not know that much about plastering (unskilled).
This applies to all trades… what a great vid… I’m at this stage as a self employed painter… Iv been going over all these points for a while now in my head.
Spot on Kirk 👍🏻 in the past I didn't realise that my sole trader business had to run at a profit, I just wanted a wage!. The penny dropped when a new van was required and I didn't have the money, so I borrowed a tun of money for said van because otherwise I had no business!!
People think all that money you get from jobs goes into your back pocket but it doesn't, there's Tax to pay, liability insurance, van insurance, MOT''s consumables, tools, etc. then there's all them night's looking at jobs, you never get paid for that bit. Today is Saturday and I have to run around for the best part of the day getting stuff for Monday morning... down time sorting stuff also needs paying for too!
Rant over 🙂 Again top video Kirk looking forward to your next 👍🏻👍🏻
A few years ago I had a plasterer do a water damaged bedroom ceiling for me that needed a 5x4 patch of plasterboard cutting in and a skim. Initially it looked like it was only a 4x3 but it grew on close inspection. He moaned so much at the extra size of the patch that I told him straight that if he wanted to quit the job I would pay him for his time to that point and he could leave. He stayed and moaned all through the work. I never had him back despite needing some more work elsewhere.
Nice one Kirk. I always work cheap for the poor elderly and sometimes for free, I did a 3 hour job 2 weeks ago for a little nice old lady who I could tell didn’t have much money, sitting there with her dog telling me her dvd playing had gone wrong, so after I had first finished the work I took a look at the DVD player and could tell it was the laser had pack up, as I was getting ready to leave the lady said can you call back tomorrow for your money, I said the job is free put the money towards a new DVD player. Every job I have done in the last 48 years I have always given my best and most people’s properties are cleaner when I leave then before I went in, I can also say I have never let anyone down if i say I will be there on a certain da and time jam there, I do find it very bad to train some youngsters up to do the same so I tend to just work on my own now, as long as I have my tea ☕️ and radio 📻 I am singing and happy, I am know locally as the singing plasterer 😊
Hi Kirk, Excellent video - just found it. The points you make are absolutely spot on. I've been in construction management and maintenance for over 40 years. I once was quoting for a job at a solicitors office. The person I was dealing with wanted me to give him an hourly rate. He was adamant so I flippantly said I would charge the same hourly rate that he charges for his work. "That's rediculous I charge £400 per hour as a solicitor", I said "spooky same as me" - didn't get the job, or want it.
Is it just me or are there others who have nothing to do with plastering or trades what so ever but find this bloke so charismatic, so intelligent, a very genuine friendly and caring bloke. With bags of Whitt. Can’t stop watching his videos. He’s probably the most genuine and kind tradesman I’ve ever watched on UA-cam. Keep up the great work Kirk. Your an amazing human being. With a kind heart and loving soul. From me and my young family, merry Christmas & happy new year.
Exactly right mate . Priced a domestic ceiling job other day 3 days work , went £350 a day + materials and got the job ,
Came recommended, and client knows it will be left cleaner than I found it 👍👍
3 days for a ceiling? It must be a mansion mate:))
@@bizganpetryca 😂😂
@@danielmills4898 ceilings 🤣🤣🤣4 to be exact ,
Good advice. As a homeowner we chose a plasterer that got back to us as promised, is honest in terms of when he can fit us into his schedule, and he gave us some advice about how we could help him (clearing rooms if we could, disconnecting downlighters etc). As a homeowner it’s also worth asking us when you come to price a job (a room) if we are going to need more work doing later. So whenever we move area and need a new plasterer the first room (normally small/downstairs toilet) is actually a test, to see how reliable/good you are. If you pass the test you get the rest of the house which is where you’ll make a lot more money.
Hi Kirk,
Totally agree with you ... have done plenty of "free" jobs in my time too but have never walked away with nothing ... on some occasions even getting literally what I would have charged in the first place, and on a couple of occasions even more so! Even when it's been charity work I seem to get forced into taking something!
REPUTATION is everything ... be efficient, clean up after yourself, be on time and communicate with them when you can't give the customer exactly what they are after. (NOT always possible, as some customers, unfortunately, do not live in the real world 🤣) but above all else ... as you say ... Be the best you can be for them!
Give them value! Let them see the value you are offering and you'll never be without work, no matter what you are charging!
This is the best pro- trade channel I’ve watched….it’s because you are such an engaging story teller.
You could easily branch out into other stuff, please ignore the wife and do more videos - with your character you could grow this into a sizeable channel.
You are honest person . I agree for everything that you have said...most of the people would not think the way you think...your videos hopefully will help the others out there..
Kirk your advice is golden and your attitude to those is need is commendable.
Hi Kirk I did what you said for years but the area that I was in was full of tradesmen so the home owners and Builders in this area often called 3 different plasterers to price a small say £ 100 job . They were playing us against one another .
I can understand this if the job was more expensive but I found that their expectations were not the same the figure most of them had in their mind was around £ 100 for a days work , I’m going back about 15 years or so now but I came across so many time wasters , if you were the first to look at the job the next guy would ask them what your price was then undercut you
It didn’t matter that I had a decent van or that I had good manners had a good website and showed references or photos lots of them didn’t realise that There were bad plasterers good plasterers and good very clean plasterers
Us guys need to start working together we need to set a decent rate and now that fuel is so expensive we need to collectively charge a small fee just to price the work even if it’s a tenner , I’ve wasted thousands of hours of my life being messed around by people just trying to get the cheapest possible price not to mention the complete waste of fuel
Lots of these jobs were for Domestic customers who of course have no idea of prep , sheeting , tools and hundreds of trips back and forth emptying the bloody van and repacking it 😢
Also I found that most guys worked without a helper just to keep the cost down and earn a little extra for doing the work of 2 people
I work for my son now as I’m older now he pays me £ 180 a day cash . There are 6 of us so we can box the work between us and 5 vans
His work is mainly medium to large new builds My standard of work is similar to yours and I’m very tidy and friendly
A lot of the problem with our trade is that we are at the back end of most trades , they get their share of the money but if the job goes tits up the plasterer , decorator tiler gardener are squeezed and expected to help the poor builder or property developer out 😊
Just like to say that your site is fantastic and your a very good Teacher and a very nice plaster
Take care Harry Essex
Thanks mate, I've only just read this, absolutely lovely comment
It's the painter and decorator that really gets screwed. A lot of the time they don't even get the job as the house owner is out of money and do it themselves.
@@briancarton1804and makes all the work that's been done look awfull
Spot on kirk, i price it like this! If i have 1 weeks work in a quote cheap as i need to work, if i have 2 week work in my day rate goes up, 3 weeks work it goes up again and again and again untill i get to double my day rate.... And have a policy of mates rates are to he offered and not asked for as if they ask you to take a pay cut they are not much of a mate... 👍
I dont really agree with guessing a price face to face though.. i sit down with a brew, check material prices and weigh up any issues then text The quote over so that you both have a record of whats being done and for what price....
It's so true about turning up on time. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can't get trades people to show up at all half the time. I'm always friendly, don't haggle pricing, pay invoices promptly, and I don't even complain if I'm not happy with the work. It must be my face or something.
Spot on big yin ..I have been doing domestic plastering as a sole trader for 35 years and took me about 10 years to realise I was loosing work for being to cheap ,Great advice I wish you were doing these videos in the 80s 😀😀
Clean working is a big thing I have been recommended so many times just by being clean and cleaning up as I have gone along.Good tip.
‘Dropping knowledge bombs brother! Specialised highly skilled experienced labour is worth a fortune nowadays. Love the way say higher your value and higher your price. NO PROFIT = NO BUSINESS
This mindset is not just for plasters, i do exactly the same in my biz which is Blacksmithing and steel fabrication, always busy with my rep and struggling to cope with the work, even with 5 men with my mindset working for me. Be the best in your area and will always be busy, the customers aren't just paying for the job but the experience and knowledge you've learnt over the years
Word for word that is what i do and say to customers. I gave estimates on the door step, and ask if its in there budget. And if they say ill have a word with the missus or have a face on, i know there and then i dont be going back.
Found this channel today. Liking it so far Kirk
Well said great video plasterers are always made to feel like messy workers etc but as you said if you clean up tidy up hoover etc people appreciate it more
A very Honest vid something you rarely know your getting from a tradesman obviously aimed at other plasters in the trade but will be watched by all those DIYers out there that think they can plaster....im not one of them..thanks very enjoyable watch
Brilliant video again mate on a subject that doesn’t get discussed enough. Far too many numpties out there charging peanuts and massively devaluing the trade, you’d get more a day stacking shelves in Aldi for what some plasterers are charging round our way it’s absolute madness. These are the same lads tho that are outside smoking joints between sets and leaving their empty cans of monster energy in the back garden 😂 Quality isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t quality and that applies to the whole experience from start to finish 👊🏼
Honestly your spot on regarding the building trade . If only government would do the same tax’s the super rich and help out the poor with the taxes we pay
Mate, your an honest fella and everything you have spoke about I get. I am multi skilled, bathrooms installs, kitchen installs, basically all around and what you said I have been through in the past 12 years. Honouring is the key, nail on the head
Great insight - recently bought a house that has artex throughout and have been working through the house and getting a plasterer to skim it - I had a semi-retired plasterer doing them for around £160 per ceiling (3-4 hours work) and he let done 4, he completely ghosted me on the last 2 ceilings I needed doing (they're awkward ones). Found another local plasterer that I think overcharged me but I was happy to pay if it was a sterling job - paid them £480 for 2 ceilings and it took 2 of them just under 4 hours.
I was gutted it didn't take that long but happy with the result - I've noticed some imperfections now that have annoyed me a bit. Lesson for me is, the job costs what the job costs, if you're overpaying you expect the absolute best.
you my friend are a very very genuine man. i respect that
I'm just a DIYer but still found this really interesting. Top quality video
Totally agree, customer service and a pride in what you do is very important. Do what you say your going to do and get it spot on is key . We constantly have at least 40 cars in front of us to repair and not advertised for over ten years. Makes your own life a lot easier. Great video and a pleasure to watch.
Bro, your videos are amazing. I've been a drywall finisher in the states for 25 years. Your videos have helped me start selling plaster where I'm at and increased my value by a factor of 10. There isn't much plaster where I'm at but the people are so rich and no one here does it anymore so I only have to do 8-10 jobs a year do get by. Anything else is extra. So I have so much extra time to spend with my family and the people I care about now. Thank you and guys like you. These videos have actually changed my life for the better. You rock!!
Awesome comment. Send me an email mate, I'd love to connect.
My email is in my channel description
What your saying is right on paper but the problem I find is things like check a trade and my builder . The amount of jobs I’ve lost to gardeners “who plaster” when it’s raining .all because they’ve gone £20 cheaper
I can teach you how to win nearly every single job you want mate
www.buymeacoffee.com/Onthetrowel/membership
Hi I’m a painter and handyman, you are very helpful and a great UA-cam mentor thanks for pricing concept / tips will watch all videos
Like your honesty. Another good video I'm not even a plasterer I'm a plumber and heating engineer
Hi Kirk ,thank you for the video 😊 very eye-opening ,I'm not in the trade. You elevated plastering to an art form .
Firstly thanks for sharing your knowledge, really enjoy these episodes - I'm a chippy who plasters (for 20 years now) and I've picked up a few good tips! Secondly, I agree with most of your pricing strategy but coming down to meet their budget is something I don't do. I've always told my customer I'll give you my best price first time which is a price I value myself at. For me this keeps me credible and should I price up a job they recommend me for, the prices will match (if you understand). This works for me and now booking late autumn. ATB Rich
I have the same mentality as you, being helpful and having a good reputation are key for me.
Currently helping the village vicar out restoring the old school for this village.
Helps I live next door lol
Agreed.....This is always the case....Money is not really the issue....it's the value you give as you mention.... If money was the real issue...nobody would buy £200 Nike trainers when a £30 pair of Pumas woll do the same job.....Why buy an £80k Merc....When a Ford Fiesta will do.
Perceived value and quality etc.. is where it's at.
Up in Edinburgh I’ll go m2 for decent areas. Otherwise I’ll go with a daily rate. Sometimes a combo of the two. Great vid
Kirk im a Bricky and am in the building game and what you say is Spot on but what the Customer is also paying for is your Years of Knowledge and Serving your time in the Trade So you know the Job Inside out Its Like When A Customer Complains about Plumbers who've been there for an Hour and charged £200 there paying him for his Time Fuel and His Served time in the game that's what there Paying for Thats what We went to College for and Seving our Time for 4-5 year on a Pittance for
My tutor helps me with pricing a job, I’m starting to get the hang of it.
I make it clear I’m still learning, so it may take a little longer than a time served plastere.
So my price reflects that and if they are able to work with me it’s all good.
I always do a good job and get very good feedback.
So far I’ve worked on old building with lists of hidden issues 😂😩😅
Its hard when your starting out; I remember loosing jobs for being too cheap, and winning jobs I overpriced because I didn't want them.
Eventually I figured out that by charging a little more I can spend a little extra time sheeting up or whatever.
The odd bit for me was that when you get really busy and take on a lad, people are happy to pay more for the same jobs because there's two of you; even when the lads wattless.
Top bloke Kirk your right in everything you say I’ve had peeps say it only take you an hr ! What do they know? you have to get there to do it setup ie cover floor etc them am the 1s to keep away from lol ye I’ve have done them in the past but know more , they pay for the skill that you have taken to learn In my case 43yrs old codger now lol but love the job satisfaction of it when finished god I’m sad lol agin fair play to you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Kirk
You right about the single mums,I done a ceiling that came down from water splashing out over the bath this week for one,and she turned out to be the best payer I’ve had😉🤫,found loads of work there to be done now 🙄
Ceiling came down because water splashed on it?
😂😂😂
Fair points well made, you will be thrown out the magic circle …no plasterer discussed prices amongst each other.it’s all a bit secretive lol. I’m guilty for pricing to cheap , I used to price on how cheap I could do if for and remain competitive.that’s completely wrong it should be how much I can charge.I found I could never go in gung ho , i new the market and was always near enough and that was never mega bucks, if the customer got 3 quotes and your the highest I’m afraid I would lose
I’ve found in forty years of being in the building trade people remember the quality of the job and you could ask them a year later how much you charged and they probably wouldn’t recommend but they would remember if you didn’t do a not very good job I’ve never advertised because you don’t need to great videos
I am a Plumber by trade but worked with my dad off and on most of my life. He was a Plasterer.
I understand where you are coming from and agree with everything you said.
Just one thing I would add, my Dad always gave me this advice. That is always allow yourself enough time to do the job properly. Not just putting it on and troweling it up. Allow time for getting there, getting the stuff and tidying up.
The stuff doesn't know you need it or where to go and it doesn't put itself away when you have finished.
It takes your time up and time is more valuable than money once its gone you can't get it back.
Love this comment
Broadly agree but I think the difference is you can see what you are getting with a car, you don’t know when you employ a tradesperson if you are getting someone honest and hard working like yourself who will do an excellent job (prestige model 😂), or someone pricing similar to you who plans to rip you off it isn’t capable of a great job. In fact sometimes people think the more expensive quote must be better so can get caught out. Would be better in my opinion if there were guide prices for work to give you an idea of what to expect and registered professional status for many trades so that there is comeback when it goes wrong. Loving the channel 👍🏻
Love you 2020 sign !!! Love your info , after 37 yrs doing the trades it’s still interesting getting your pricing
Fantastic advice .❤ Out of all the plasterers I've heard speak you make the most sense.
If you enjoyed that video you'll love what I'm doing in my private group mate
www.buymeacoffee.com/Onthetrowel/membership
my Fiting charges are more than others, and when customers say they have had cheaper quotes, I then tell them, my prices also cover my 40 plus years experience, the majority of quotes i do, I get the job.
Create a new spreadsheet that makes in data like meters needed to plaster, beads for corners, tape, plaster board, plaster, rubbish clearance etc
Then have the spread sheet calculate the price of the job based on different variables. Like number of days, difficulty of job, urgency, travel costs etc
Then give the customer an itemised invoice so they know what they are being charged for.
Took the words out of my mouth totally agree great video
Plastering a funny world now our days i been a plasterer 25 years now it will always be the hardest job in the trade my right soldier is hurting bad now ceilings always be the hardest. So true what you saying on prices not the same anymore to many young people in the trade think there can do it. It takes years to get where you are today doing great jobs for customers and trust. one thing in the game never think about the money first. thing about the job first doing a good job and the customer. Just saying
I agree, the wealthier the client the more you charge. Remember the rich can afford it
Totally with you Kirk I couldn't have said it any better way myself 👍
Another great video Kirk. I would never have thought a video on how much to charge for plastering would be so enjoyable! Some great advice in there. Thank you.
Listen to you forever.. your an expert bud
great one this one. would really like to see more vids about being self employed etc. all the stuff no one spaeks about.
Video makes a lot of sense will use in future I do use the day rate plus materials petrol 😢
I love the exaggeration of your own accent, I'll just ave 200 pound mate 🤣🤣. Some helpful business tips there Kirk, I make and sell furniture on the side ( oil pipelines is the main job) but the pricing/ valve theory is the same. Started out making just a little bit of money, then soon realised it was Bearley worth my time. I charge a fair price now with a little profit built in to weather the quiet times.....as you say! The plastering is for my own house only, don't feel confident enough to have a go in someone else's yet 🤣. Getting better though with the help from you! Cheers Mate
Even though this one doesn't apply to me... I'm still going to give it a watch!
This is spot on mate.
I charge minimum £824.99 per room, more if its a larger room. I wouldn't get out of bed for any less.
My customers are all high end clients, a Listers, elites, billionaires, etc.
When I have completed the job the room will be perfectly flat, the wall so smooth that if you closed your eyes and felt the wall you'd think it's glass.
My finishing is that pristine.
If there are any imperfections in the wall, I give a full money back guarantee.
I have never had to give a refund yet and I've been doing it for over 30 years. I don't mean to brag, but I am probably the best plasterer in the world.
Name checks out
@@reecevaughan4225 eh.?
What do you mean.
I'm telling the truth.
@@Sinbad-cd6oh yes. I don't like to toot my own horn. That is true
I live in an above average 1930”s doer upper in North Wales and everyone seems to try and over charge for everything based on the size of the house because they assume we are good for cash, we had new windows and they are the same size as an average size house, the price was more than double from some quotes per window that I’ve had people recommend as they’d just had the work done. I understand everyone needs to make a profit but people turn up and see pound signs because of the size of the house and what’s around it and the views. I just want to be priced for the size of the job and not the size of the house, I’d be happier to have them back for repeat work room by room
32 years as drywall Plasterer in Australia. I was too cheap for years. Then one night I sat down and did a budget for the year . All costs including entertainment ,fuel ,superannuation, , investments, mortgage , the lot. Then I decide I want to work 200 days per year. That 4 days per week . Worked out what was needed after taxes in my hand. I now use that daily figure for charging. I find I get probably half my quotes. A smart business guy told me if you are getting most of your quotes you are too cheap. 50% of your quotes still too cheap. 25 % is getting close. Now I laugh when my competition wins the job for Sweet F all. Did it for too long.
Morning Kirk
I agree with all you say
I’ve been decorating over 40 years and self employed 14years
Best advise hone your skill until your the best,
Have a personality, ease them in firstly talk about anything but the job, pets holidays kids anything
Even tho the jobs shite never say it’s a shit job just make out it no big deal and price accordingly
Yep do the odd bit for nowt goes a long way not many ask tho.
Kirk got to say it’s nice to see a plasterer that can actually can plaster 90% of what I see is dog shite
But the customer carnt see it last thing you want to do is burst there bubble when they’ve paid good money for in my eyes is shit so you have to be tactfull soon as you paint it shows everything.
I don’t recommend plasterers as I get asked all the time as I don’t know any good ones pity you aren’t a bit closer to Harrogate
Also Kirk your right be on time and leave the job immaculate.
I only do private work
I avoid builders and commercial work they don’t want to pay and make you wait ages for a few quid private work is the best, in and out get paid straight away, pass your name on.
Anyway I’m going on keep uploading Kirk your doing a great job at this UA-cam
I can see why customers like you you’ve got a great personality
Wise words these and good advice Kirk.
Ime u got two types of tradesmen:
Repeat business decent human beings and 'on to the next victim' scumbags
An old fellow told me once think about what you want for the job,double it and add 20% and you will be somewhere near lol!🤑
I know a bloke that does that every job he does mate told me that from being a nippa says you never know what is gonna crop up on job 😂😉👍
If you do that, then don't be surprised if the punters halve your quote, reduce it by another 20% and tell you fuk off when a slump comes along.
@@victorsandler4241 Exactly,I have never got close to that,when he said it I was in shock lol.🤣🤣🤣
quoting for work as always been difficult, thanks for making it a lot easier and from now on more profitable. Will be sending you a beer, Great channel pal
Just found your channel on UA-cam, what an amazing tradesman you are. nowadays that’s the hardest thing so many people call themselves tradesmen I call them cowboys. your videos are very informative and I must say you are very amusing along with it .
Thanks Top Man
Legend Kirk loved this video mate
Another quality video Kirk, you've taken my plastering to the next level with all these videos.......overdue beers on the way.
FairPlay a lot of info to be fair thank you Kirk
Fantastic Kirk. So interesting and a lot of great info that can apply to many aspects in life!
Nice video, great mindset thinking!
You’re like the Robin Hood of plastering 😂👍🏻
I think I’m losing work for being too cheap, but that’s based on clowns charging way too much which are prevalent
I need to charge at least the same as them, but in my mind I’m raping the customer:(
Your videos are class mate keep up the good work 👍
If you are a good plasterer. Ie can skim out a decent sized room a day to a high standard, then if you are charging any less than 250 a day now you are selling yourself short. It's a dirty, repetitive, hard and highly skilled job that takes years to become good at. The price of everything has gone up. Especially fuel and food so why shouldn't you be charging more? If you're only charging 150 or 200 a day, take off your van, tools, insurance, tax etc etc. You will be left with F all.
If that rooms all board work then at least £450 , prep bead pva skim ect can go into two days
The price of everything hasn’t gone up, the value of the pound has gone down due to government currently debasement. It’s a stealth tax, don’t let the government fool you.
To own a business you must be on at least £250 a day minimum
@@mehughesplastering923 definitely can run into 2 days if celling is been done aswell
250 a day is a mate rate not a business rate
Very well put Kirk 👍🏻
I once followed two polish 'plasterers' after they had done a job for a lady. It was horrendous; they had rolled it on and left it and charged her £500 for two walls! They told her that as it dries/sets it will flow out and become flat and smooth ready for paint. I replastered the two walls for her for two cups of tea and some lovely butterfly cakes :) She was in tears bless her, I did it to show her the process of getting it flat, I told her that there is no such thing as self-levelling plaster and if anyone turned up to do any more for her she was to keep an eye on them.
So many chancers out there ruining people's lives and all for a bit of cash - shameful.
Fair play to you dave, good man 🙏
Captin very helpful content m8 will help a few spreaders navigate the pricing issues
Great video, very informative and excellent advice, thank you 🙏🏻
My pleasure!
Ha, rather you than me, mate, explaining pricing. I've been at its years, still hate it 😂 well done, tho great video
Self employed contractors must develop an emergency fund and a low work fund, ie winter time, rainy days, holidays, sick days etc..
Emergency fund, new tools. Van repairs or replacement, insurance, tax, clothes etc
Really like this guy great tips mate 👍
I papered a lime washed bedroom ceiling one day...when the woman woke up in the morning it had all fallen off over her😂
I think plasterers are close to pricing themselves out of the trade. There’s easy to use products on the market now so that anyone can do plastering, one example is Knauf Super Finish very easy.
Builders will be doing their own plastering and DIYers. Don’t undercharge but be fair after all it’s a trade not a doctorate. I was given a quote a couple of weeks ago for 2 small rooms and a stair well 4K without materials the 2nd quote I got was 3k they must have watched your video 😂now I’m doing the job myself!
Very silly thing to say fella! I have been a plasterer for years and still come across jobs that are a struggle at times and still have problems where conditions might make the plaster just start going off all of a sudden and you have a massive ceiling you are trying to get smooth and polished on your own!
Like I say I have been a plasterer for years, all kinds of plastering a lot of lime work (lath and plaster) skimming, rendering. Some days the work can be so hard you think to yourself oh my god! Why the fu*k am I doing this for a living I need to get out! You don't because it's all you know and most of us who do it love it, even though we go home in pain, sometimes agony every day.
I'm sorry to say to you its unfortunate if people are offended by what we charge but we are worth every penny, those who do a good job because no matter what you say about your bag of knauf! You couldn't do it and nor can most because most sensible people don't want to work that hard and also it takes years to get good at.
So I don't see plasterers pricing themselves out any time soon, unless it's a tiny ceiling or something other than that I think we will be just fine 😉
What this man said 👌👌👌
Great video, this has given me some great ideas going forward 👍👍👍
Spot on plus never do jobs for people who tell you how long the job should take before you’ve even priced it lol
I am really interested in these type of videos as sometimes i try to get people to work on the house and then they don't show up or never give me a quote afterwards or keep pushing the jobs back weeks an weeks then they forget...I mean, I dont know I even question myself, is it something i said, is the job too big or too small... I haven't got a clue most times
£80-£100 per bag should make you happy:)
Superb vid Kirk. Amazing advice. 👍🏻
Absolutely Bang on. 👍
Just started watching ur vids as a spread too love the krend advice u give dont get why you went into scouse mode there over 200 quid to plaster ur kitchen mate 🤷♂️
Great integrity. Great video and info.
Here’s a thought: When talking about average daily rates are you including the price for the labourer or is that factored in separately? If so how is that priced in? I’ve done a fair amount of plastering on rental maintenance contracts and appreciate how much more can be achieved with a willing helper who may not know that much about plastering (unskilled).
Decent and honest❤
Excellent advice!
Excellent video.. just needed this.
Very good video. Your spot on 👌
Well done big man 🤙