lisa67

So I have a small breeze block wall that I want cladding. (approx. 56 sq.ft)
Now the quote I have just had from one of my local workman, including supplies is $968
Now my Dad reckons that I can do this myself and has given me detailed instructions. I'm happy to give it a go, any advice?

md95065

Invite your dad over and have him do it ...

... but only if he is authorized to work in the US, of course

lisa67

Lol, he is coming over at the end of this month so I could ask him to supervise!

into_thewild

Get the workie to do it. I attempted something similar and made a complete mess of it. Although I'm not really that handy...

Uncle Ebenezer

Yes - if you can afford the $968, definitely do not attempt it yourself.

lisa67

Oh come on guys, where's your sense of adventure? As far as I can tell "all" I have to do is skim the wall with type N cement, lay out the cladding and stick it to the wall placing small wooden spacers in between as I go. Then using a cement piping bag, go in between the rocks and smooth with small trowel!!!
Am I missing something?

Uncle Ebenezer

Between the ears, maybe.

lisa67

md95065

The problem with anything like this is that it isn't particularly difficult or complicated but it does require a certain amount of practice to do it well.

There are also things that you don't really know the first time that you do it, like exactly what consistency the cement should have, just how thick it should be, how best to deal with places where things aren't perfectly level or square, what effect the prevailing temperature and humidity will have etc.

If you do it yourself then you will probably find that, by the time that you have finished, you have learned enough to be able to go back to the beginning, start again, and do it properly ...

Jerseygirl

I've just had a quote to have our bathroom walls 1/2 tiled...$15K+ excluding all materials.

Sally Redux

Wow!

It does seem that prices for all work are skyrocketing (I also thought the $968 sounded reasonable).

Jerseygirl

Got a guy coming round tomorrow to give me a quote for a new fence around the pool...and another guy to quote for painting the hall/staircase/family room/landing/back staircase/back hallway goodness knows how much that will be.

SultanOfSwing

Exactly how big is your bathroom

Jerseygirl

It's a good size but not huge.

SultanOfSwing

Ooer ...

I bet Home Depot does one of those classes on how to do tiling - that one might be worth having a crack at yourselves if that's your quote.