Are square set plaster window surrounds more expensive?

[Scootergirl]

I am planning a very significant bathroom remodelling / renovation which will involve stripping walls back to the frame.

i really like the look of square set window & door frames rather than traditional wooden architraves. I assume square set would be more expensive - but don’t know if it would be by a small, moderate or extravagant amount! 😜.

Can anyone help?

and I’d be grateful for any other hints, tips or information about this.

Thanks 

[EricL]

Hello @Scootergirl 

I've seen the process of building a square set door and window. I propose counting the number of doors and windows you would like built into this manner and posting the job on Airtasker and Hipages. The parts for a square set assembly I believe are not that highly priced. But it does require a certain skill set from the builder and that they have to be skilful and precise when doing this type of carpentry. You can imagine that any mistake made while putting the square set in place will be very noticeable. 

My best advice is to make sure that the trades person you get can show proof that they have assembled square set windows and doors before. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag · Accepted solution]

Hi @Scootergirl 

Though there is more work involved, having walls and walls where they meet the ceiling square set, can be actually a cheaper option. Not only are you saving on the cost of cornice, cutting and installing it is also a labour intensive process. In my last house, I removed all walk through doorways and took them to ceiling height. Then square set all the openings and other feature areas. I replaced my cornice in the living areas though, only because it was an old fashion 70's profile and I didn't want to have some ceilings square and others not. But I did square set both bathroom ceilings. Ensuite sample below.

Unless you're changing the finished walls, you shouldn't need any carpentry done. Square setting is all on the plasterer.

Below are some tips for removing the cornice and installing plasterboard for square setting. It's very important when removing the cornice that you seperate it from the ceiling as best as possible. the idea is that you want to reduce the amount of the paper layer that comes off as the plaster will have more work to repair. Easy job, just more $ in labour time. If using a multitool to seperate the cornice from the ceiling board, don't skimp on cheap blades they will cost more in the end. Something like this is best.

And as @EricL suggested, get an experienced plasterer in and get a couple of quotes. Square setting is a common finish so they all can do it, just some better than others. I sacked the first 2 plasters because they were no better than me and I'm bad at it. 

Also bear in mind any full height tiles will not require square setting.

Nailbag

Tips

Before Ensuite Reno

Finished Ensuite Reno

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @Scootergirl 

Looking forward to the photos of your renovation first up! I really cant add more to what @Nailbag and @EricL have said. I would definently go with sourceing a plasterer to do the work, Its NOT one of my favorite jobs, give me a decade of experince and maybe, but on and off renos in a decade and I am still maybe 60% confident of a seemless outcome

Dave

[Scootergirl]

Thanks Dave - I’m in the early information gathering stage at the moment, so it will be ages before I actually start work. It’s difficult knowing what will & won’t fit into your budget when you have no idea  of costs! That’s why I find the advice & information here so helpful 

[Scootergirl]

Thanks so much for this information - it’s really helpful! 
I would never have thought about being careful how I remove the cornices - so that is extremely useful to know. 

[Scootergirl]

Thanks Eric. Great suggestion to find a tradie who can show they are experienced at doing square set finishes - from my research I know it’s important to do a good job or they’ll look terrible - but wouldn’t have thought of asking for proof of their experience 

thanks

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Scootergirl 

If you happen to be on the big blue "F" social media page, have a search for tradies in your area, Ive seen some very nice work shown by different ones. Right up to I know who I will be contacting when I redo my kitchen ceiling plaster. He is a plasterer and looks to be a pretty decent one as he shows all his work. I figure if you are willing to post your work there must be something good about it   Use the algorithim to your advantage is what I call it Very soon after your seach for a tradie in such and such your newsfeed will be flooded with suggestions btw it works within google searches as well

Dave