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I'm having a side extension to a small end terrace built 1780, including downstairs shower/ toilet and cloakroom. I had anticipated that float & skim would be used, however the builder is trying to convince me that dot and dab is better. I'm not happy with this, particularly as one of the rooms will be more prone to damp i.e. the shower room (may even choose to have it as a wet room) and am concerned that a) his plasterers are not skilled enough for the more complex skills requirements of float and skim and b) he is trying to save £££ on his quote.

Any advice much appreciated

Dot and dab drywall is almost, if not actually, totally universal these days and there are some pretty good reasons for choosing this method too. I have stripped many many bathrooms with these type of walls and installed bathrooms and wet rooms with these type of walls, and never see anything worse with this type of construction compared to any other.

You should not have damp in a wall. If you do, traditional plaster will fail just as fast as dot and dab.

Because of the building's age, you could argue it needs to be plastered to be in keeping with the rest of the property and his plasterers would no doubt make a good job of it too, but it will take lots longer to complete and take ages to dry.

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