Plaster, millwork and trim
Plaster walls and ceilings, and the millwork around them, repaired in place.
Three coats of plaster on wood lath, a molded cornice, a medallion in the middle of the ceiling: it is a lot to lose to a leak or a cut for a pipe. We reattach plaster that has let go of its lath, patch cracks so they blend into the wall, and run replacement cornice from a template. We take plaster down only when it can't be saved.
What we don't do
We don't skim-coat or hang drywall over plaster to hide it.
What's included
Cracks and failed plaster keys reattached
Patches blended into the wall, not filled flat
Cornices, medallions and casings repaired or replicated
Doors, stair parts and baseboards repaired and refit
Floors repaired where they meet the work
Pricing
What changes the cost
We print no figures. These are the things that move the number.
The area and the height of the ceiling
A stairwell ceiling takes staging; a bedroom wall takes a day.
How loose the plaster is
Plaster tight to its lath is a patch. Plaster hanging off it is a repair, then a patch.
The ornament
Every foot of cornice that has to be molded adds work in the shop.
Other trades
Wiring and plumbing behind a wall are done before the plaster closes it.
The paint
Sanding and scraping old paint is done with the dust sealed off, and that adds time.
The work, in order
How the work goes
Step 1: Tap and map
We tap the walls and ceilings to find what has let go and mark it.
Step 2: Reattach what can be saved
Plaster washers and adhesive hold loose plaster to the lath.
Step 3: Patch coat by coat
Scratch, brown and finish coats go on in the order the old ones did.
Step 4: Mold what's missing
Cornice and ornament are run in the shop or in place from a template.
Step 5: Prime and paint
A coat of primer first, so the patches don't flash through the paint.
Step 6: Walk-through
We look at the wall in raking light with you.
Permits and rules
Dust
Plaster and old paint make dust. We seal the work area with plastic, mask the floors and clean with a HEPA vacuum.
Houses built before 1978
Work that disturbs paint in an older house is covered by the EPA's rule, and sets how we prepare the room.
If a leak did the damage
We describe the repair in writing. We don't deal with the insurer for you.
Questions about this work
Can you fix a ceiling that sags?
Often, yes: if the plaster is still whole, it can be pulled back to the lath. If it has broken up, we say so and give you both options.
Is drywall a bad idea in an old house?
No, it's a different wall. We repair plaster. If you'd rather replace it, we'll tell you who to call.
Can you match my cornice?
Usually. We take a profile from what remains, cut a template and run it in plaster.
Tell us about the house
A house visit is the first step. We write down what we see before we talk about a price.