Plaster repair (St. Louis, Champ: homes, contractors, area codes)

[TraceyGee]

We are moving to St Louis next week, and have bought a tudor style home that needs a lot of plaster repair. After seeing the pictures online, I thought we would just have the plaster walls torn out and replaced with drywall, but when I saw the home in person, I fell in love with the plaster walls, and hope to find someone that can repair them.

Can any of you recommend a good plaster repairer here in StL?

Thanks in advance!

[woodworkingmenace]

When you get there, look in the Yellow Pages for one... Get an old timer, for he will know his trade, where as some young lad may not be as good, or take shortcuts.

Experience Counts... Hire a Vet if you find one

I wish you well...

Jesse

[inahandbasket]

Ask here: rehabbersclub.org

There's a huge community of rehabbers here in St. Louis because of the large amount of old and historic housing stock. I agree with woodworkingmenace: get an old timer, someone with references who has done a lot of work in the CITY of STL, not just the county.

My $.02.

[TraceyGee]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just sent a request to join rehabbersclub and am anxiously awaiting acceptance.

[aragx6]

As an example as to why you want someone truly experienced with vintage homes and historically sensitive rehabs, a good family friend was just doing some pretty large-scale renovations to her Southhampton gingerbread and they have not been too pleased with their contractor. The guys, even after being told not to, threw away things like the original baseboards that had to be ripped out to make room for the new staircase -- and then of course had to put in stuff that didn't match to fill in the new parts. She bitched up a storm and the contractor made fun of her for "liking old stuff."

Honestly, I would've punched him right in his stupid little face!

[TraceyGee]

Inahandbasket, are you a member of rehabbersclub? I applied for membership, but it hasnt been processed yet. I also emailed the group owner, but no reply. It seems like this would, indeed, be a great place to get information.

[inahandbasket]

Originally Posted by TraceyGee

Inahandbasket, are you a member of rehabbersclub? I applied for membership, but it hasnt been processed yet. I also emailed the group owner, but no reply. It seems like this would, indeed, be a great place to get information.

I am a member via the rehabbersclub on Yahoo groups. Try this address:
rehabbersclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

You'll need to have a Yahoo email address/account which is free.

Sorry about the delay. Any group that is run by volunteers can be (sometimes) hard to find the actual leader.

This is the email address of the list owner:
rehabbersclub-owner@yahoogroups.com

Did you download the pdf of contractors listed at the rehabbers club website?

Here's what is listed: (all are 314 area codes, pretty sure)
PLASTER
A&A Plaster and Drywall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 727-5200
Eric Aulbach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479-1402
Barr Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 846-6349
Champs Plastering [Raynard Haynes] . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-4388
Gianino Plastering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752-0136
Plastering Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 846-6995
Professional Plastering [Bob Meinz] . . . . . . . . . . 638-2245
Jerry Sextro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369-3864
John Steurer Plastering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 822-9030

I would also research each online to see if there are reviews. Also, St. Louis Rehabbers Club is on Facebook. It's an open group. Try there as well. It's worth doing the extra research - which you're doing - to go the extra mile to preserve the historic nature of your new/old house. I have one of my own. LOVELOVELOVE the plaster rope moulding around the arched doorways and lions' heads at the top of each archway.

Hope the above info helps.

[TraceyGee]

Thanks for the information. I will start making some calls for bids and references. I can't wait to see my Tudor Revival/Cotswold Cottage restored to her original glory!

[TraceyGee]

Update... I'm a member!! So excited!