![]() ![]() Many homeowners are caught between the use of plaster and drywall when remodeling an older home. Pros and Cons of Preserving Plaster Walls During a Bathroom or Kitchen Remodel During the 1950s, pressed gypsum or drywall became the standard for finishing interiors since it was less costly to install. Homes built before the 1950s likely have some lath and plaster walls unless they were renovated sometime after the 1950s. The original building materials can significantly impact any remodeling project and must be carefully considered before any work begins.įrom the 1700s until the 1940s, lath and plaster were the material of choice used for finishing interior walls and ceilings. Whether it’s leaky plumbing, old wiring, water damage, or mold, almost every project contains hidden issues that aren’t discovered until demolition is underway. The bottom line: compare the price of a contractor’s bid to demolish plaster walls with what it costs to do it yourself and make your decision.Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom in an older home comes with many rewards and challenges. Here’s good advice from Popular Mechanics: 7 Things to Beware of Before Smashing Through That Wall. ![]() If you’re working on a second floor room, consider jury-rigging a window chute using sheets of plywood to slide the debris outside to the dumpster. We’ve used a sledgehammer to break up the plaster and a prybar and bow rake to pull it off the lath. Use thick newspaper or cardboard and wrap the tape around the banister so it is shielded from any blows of plaster debris. Make sure you protect surrounding woodwork and trim like a hall banister. Protect the floor with a heavy tarp and tape plastic dropcloths at doorways to seal the room and keep the spread of plaster dust and dirt to a minimum. Protect yourself by wearing a hard hat, heavy gloves, boots, and a respirator mask. ![]() Remove woodwork and trim from any doors and windows, being careful if you plan to reuse them. If you have a vehicle that can haul the debris, you might be able to bring it yourself to a local landfill – but find out what the dumping fee is before you decide about doing it yourself.īefore you start tearing out a wall, confirm with a building professional that it’s non-bearing and determine the approximate location of plumbing and electrical lines so you avoid damaging them. And it’s a good idea to tell the neighbors and assure them it will be there on a temporary basis. The fee for the roll-off container includes delivery to your worksite and removal.īefore ordering one check with your local building department to see if a permit is required. Think of yourself as a human wrecking ball and that’s pretty close to describing the job.Ī contractor will charge $411 to demolish a non-bearing 10-foot-wide by 8-feet-high (80 square feet) plaster wall, but you can do the work for $275, the cost of a dumpster, saving 33 percent for your effort. If you’re involved in a rehab job that requires knocking down a wall, consider doing some of the grunt work and save money by doing it yourself. doing it yourself for $275 and saving 33 percent.Īn old house renovation usually involves removing lath and plaster walls, and demolition can be a good, albeit messy job for a handy homeowner. How much does it cost to demolish a non-bearing lath and plaster wall? The contractor cost is $411 vs. The average price to Demolish Plaster Walls noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself. ![]()
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