repairing railing in lath and plaster walls

For example, the contractor may uncover mold that requires immediate attention. Although plaster repair is a pretty simple job, as with any task, it can uncover additional problems that you didn't know about. It's a good idea to leave around 15% of the total project price as an emergency fund. Of the total project price, labor accounts for up to 85%, not including overages.

LaborĪ plasterer, drywall contractor, or handyperson charges $50 to $100 per hour. Once dry, it creates a strong, durable finish that resists future cracking. The joint compound goes over the top, where it adheres to the support structure beneath. For large areas of damage, mesh or metal braces go inside the opening to provide support, structure, and stabilization. This type of plaster repair is for large cracks and holes, although it's a good option for smaller issues if you don't have any spackle on hand. Joint compound typically costs $20, with a range of $15 to $25 for a 16-ounce pack. However, it doesn't always adhere well to the wall's surface so it's at risk of cracking again fairly quickly. It's a quick, affordable way to improve the aesthetics of a plastered surface.

Skim coat fills imperfections across larger areas, along lengthy cracks, across large holes, or over an entire wall that has many imperfections. Skim coat costs roughly $12.50, or somewhere between $10 and $15 per 8 pounds. However, if a house is still settling or has foundation issues, adhesive is a better choice than spackle or plaster because it still has that 'give,' so it can tolerate a certain amount of shifting without cracking. Instead, even though it's dry, it has a certain amount of 'give' left.Īdhesive is not the first choice for making plaster repairs because paint often doesn't adhere well to it. Adhesive doesn't fully harden like spackle or plaster. Plaster repair adhesive costs around $7.50, or between $5 and $10 for a 10-ounce tube. Once it's dry, you smooth the area over with fine sandpaper to match the texture of the surrounding surface. Use spackle to fill small holes, chips, minor cracks, and other small surface imperfections. Spackle typically costs $7.50 for a 16-ounce container, with a price range of $5 to $10. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more.

Repairing railing in lath and plaster walls