Nisus
Elite Member
I read this earlier in Professional Builder Magazine:
Out of pocket
Dear PB,
I started in the plastering game in August 1961, so this year i would have been at it 50 years. I have never seen what people call big money, but always managed to get a living. Since floating & setting stopped being the norm and dot and dab took over, I had to adjust to becoming a sticker & skimmer. All the things we used to do, dashing, rendering and what I call proper plastering has dwindled to a few jobs now. And then to run a van, buy diesel, tools and scaffolding and a health & safety card, you need to have at least £150 per day. I have just been asked to do an 8 hour day, plus two hours travelling for £64 per day. With tax at 20% and fuel at £15 per day and with all other expenses, I would have to fund my day out of my savings. It is not worth the effort any more. So at a fit 54 years of age, willing to work, I have had to retire. All I wanted to do was a fair day's work and not to be exploited into the bargain. Good old Great Britain. Yours, a very disillusioned ex plasterer.
John Hopkins
Out of pocket
Dear PB,
I started in the plastering game in August 1961, so this year i would have been at it 50 years. I have never seen what people call big money, but always managed to get a living. Since floating & setting stopped being the norm and dot and dab took over, I had to adjust to becoming a sticker & skimmer. All the things we used to do, dashing, rendering and what I call proper plastering has dwindled to a few jobs now. And then to run a van, buy diesel, tools and scaffolding and a health & safety card, you need to have at least £150 per day. I have just been asked to do an 8 hour day, plus two hours travelling for £64 per day. With tax at 20% and fuel at £15 per day and with all other expenses, I would have to fund my day out of my savings. It is not worth the effort any more. So at a fit 54 years of age, willing to work, I have had to retire. All I wanted to do was a fair day's work and not to be exploited into the bargain. Good old Great Britain. Yours, a very disillusioned ex plasterer.
John Hopkins
