Painting vs Plastering
The number one complaint we always hear after a renovation? “The painting sucks.”
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But here’s the thing — sometimes it really is the painter’s fault… and sometimes, it’s not.
Let me explain using this wall as an example. I asked my ID’s painter to leave a mark here to show you guys.
When it IS the Painter’s Fault
See these uneven paint lines? This is 100% on the painter. Their brush stroke ended here, leaving excess paint and the layer is thicker, and that’s why you see a line. Simple. Bad workmanship.
When it’s NOT the Painter's Fault
Now look at this bump sticking out of the wall, or this patch with a lot of holes that looks like a “mo-ping” face.
This has nothing to do with painting.
Simply put, painting is merely applying a thin liquid layer of colour over a surface.
If the wall underneath already has holes, cracks, or uneven patches, no amount of paint will magically smooth it out.
This “issue” is especially apparent for older resale houses (built 2000s and before).
The Real Solution: Plastering
If you want/need smooth, even walls, the answer isn’t “better painting” or changing the paint — it’s plastering.
Plaster is a thicker material applied over the wall to level and smoothen it before painting. The catch? It’s not cheap.
Just to put into perspective, for a 5-room flat, it’s easily >$3,000 just for plastering.
Painting: ~$2-2.5k
Plastering: 1.5x the cost of painting
As such, most IDs won’t include plastering upfront as it makes their quotation look less competitive, and the effects aren’t obvious unlike carpentry.
But if you’re particular about your walls being perfectly smooth, and if you purchased an older resale unit, make sure you get your ID to include it so that you always can make a fair comparison .
TLDR:
Superficial lines - Likely the painter.
Walls with bumps & holes - That’s the wall itself, not your painter’s fault.
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