FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing is not or could never be cut and dry for my trade. There is so many factors. Some include, depth of plaster, if additional structural support is needed, texture, where the patch is located and what is around it, what is in the patch that has to be carved out or molded around, and many more. The usual rate for someone working for a company is any where from $60-$80 per hour. I myself charge only what the work is worth to me, and what I think is fair. I'm always fair and help people out, especially those in need. Some of the time the final invoice is lower than the proposal, only because I have to cover the fact that I do not know what I will be getting into behind the plaster and how much will actually need to be removed. Also, I do not for any reason charge more than the original invoice, unless extenuating circumstance, and then I only charge for added materials not extra labor. I'm very fair with my pricing and always work with the customer.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
My father recently passed away and I took over his business, which before his was his fathers and before that it was my grandfathers fathers trade also. So it has been in my family for generations and was passed down to me. My father was known to a lot of people in our trade to be one of the best wet plasterers of his time.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Mostly I work in home owners houses that can't afford to pay what the corporations charge for the work. Its sometimes huge jobs and sometimes small. I do a little bit of city work for Detroit, such as fire stations that need plaster work. I also do work for catholic churches it Detroit, and have a contract with Marygrove college a catholic based college in Detroit. I do few big jobs for companies that isn't the work I enjoy doing, it seems the work isn't appreciated as much even if I can charge a little closer to the going rate for my work. It isn't the same atmosphere.