What a proper plastering or Gib stopping quote should cover, and the finish-level detail that most often gets left out.
A proper plastering or Gib fixing quote should specify the stopping level (usually Level 4 for a painted wall or Level 5 for a gloss or feature wall), who supplies the plasterboard and fixings, how many coats are included, and whether the price covers sanding and clean-up. The finish level matters most: a lower-level finish is cheaper but can show joins and screws under certain lighting, which is a common source of disputes if it's not specified upfront.
Plastering and Gib stopping quotes can look similar on paper while covering very different levels of finish, and the gap only becomes obvious once the paint goes on and the lighting hits a wall at the wrong angle.
Here's what a proper quote should specify before you compare prices.
New Zealand Gib stopping levels run from a basic Level 2 through to Level 5, and most residential walls are finished to Level 4, a smooth, paint-ready surface. Level 5 adds a further skim coat and is generally used for gloss paint, feature walls, or areas with raking light where a lower level would show joins.
Ask specifically which level the quote covers. A quote that doesn't mention a stopping level at all is a quote you can't properly compare against another one.
Beyond the finish level, a handful of other details separate a complete quote from a bare number.
Low-angle light from a window or downlight is unforgiving on plastering, and joins or screw heads that look fine under normal light can suddenly stand out. This is exactly why the stopping level matters: a Level 5 finish is designed to handle this kind of light, while a Level 4 finish, done properly, is fine for normal living areas but can show flaws under more dramatic lighting.
If you have large windows, skylights, or dramatic feature lighting planned for a room, it's worth raising this with your plasterer before the job starts rather than after.
A plasterer who asks about your lighting, paint finish and the room's use before quoting is generally a safer bet than one who just measures the walls and gives a number.
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Level 4 is a smooth, paint-ready finish suitable for most residential walls and ceilings. Level 5 adds a further skim coat over the whole surface, giving a smoother result used for gloss paint, feature walls, or areas with strong raking light.
This varies by contractor and should be specified in the quote. Some plasterers supply materials as part of a fixed price, while others quote labour only and expect the homeowner or builder to supply the board.
This usually means the stopping level wasn't high enough for the lighting in that room, particularly under raking light from windows or downlights. Ask your plasterer whether a Level 5 finish would suit the space better.
This depends on the number of coats, humidity and ventilation, but allowing several days between the final coat and painting is standard practice. Ask your plasterer for a realistic timeline for your specific job.
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