Plasterer
Introduction
So you've decided you want to run a plastering business. Maybe you've just finished a training course or apprenticeship, or perhaps you've been working for someone else for a while and feel the time is right to go it alone. Whatever the reason, this guide will take you through the issues you need to consider and give you practical pointers on getting started.
Sector trends
In the early and mid 1990s, many people left the construction industry because there just wasn't enough work to go around. Other businesses failed. The main problems faced by the industry were caused by
- a weak economy - people spend less money on things like home improvements when they feel that they are not well off
- a slow housing market - fewer house purchases and new homes built mean fewer opportunities for plasterers
Conditions improved during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The middle of the decade saw strong demand for plastering and building services, as people with plenty of money but not much time spent large amounts on building, extending, renovating and generally improving their houses. The only problem was finding enough skilled people to do the work - an influx of eastern European migrants helped, although some trades-people complained that they undercut established businesses.
Unfortunately, the housing market boom came to an abrupt end in 2008 as the economy weakened. The economy stayed very weak throughout 2009 and the early 2010s. This caused an inevitable downturn in demand for plasterers' services. Although there's still enough work to go around in most areas, conditions can be difficult at the moment and are likely to stay that way for some time. Trades-people now have to make more effort than ever to make sure that their existing customers stay loyal - and that potential new customers choose their business.
Materials prices saw some sharp rises during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Fuel prices soared too, making it more and more costly for trades-people like plasterers to run their business vehicles.
Plastering is an old and traditional craft, and many of the tools and techniques used in basic plastering and screeding would be recognisable to plasterers from a hundred years ago or more. However, like most areas of the construction industry, the plastering trade has seen its fair share of technological developments. Plastering machines are available to mix and spray wet material onto walls and other surfaces, while special surface renders and plasters have been developed for a wide range of different applications. Screed mixes are available with different ingredients to suit different situations. Specialist pumped-screed mixes can be batched to dry and cure very quickly, while some eco-friendly screed mixes are made of recycled ground glass.
For many years, the construction industry as a whole has been plagued by unqualified 'cowboys'. Much has been done in recent years to rid the industry of these cowboys and improve standards. For example, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme enables workers from many different areas of the industry to demonstrate to potential clients and employers that they have relevant training and qualifications.
An increasing number of building and construction businesses are also pursuing quality standards such as ISO certification, which build confidence among domestic and contract customers. You can find out more about the standards on offer from the British Standards Institution, including a downloadable brochure specifically designed for the building and construction industry.
Joining a trade association is an excellent way of keeping up to date with the latest developments in your industry. The main association serving the plastering industry in the UK is the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors.
