Concrete Block - Plaster and Paint / or Gib and Skim ??

[Bluekiwi]

Have a mega house to renovate, quite spectacular.
Downstairs a lot of the house is concrete block.

I was thinking to just plaster in the cracks and paint.
Instead of Gib and Skim and paint.

Painters are saying its more expensive to plaster, does this sound right ???

[jimO]

lots of hrs in skimming be a better finish if you strap and line with gib but will be the most expensive

[Dugster]

Look at it as an opportunity to insulate while you're at it perhaps.

[Bluecoat]

Is this yours or a newly purchased rental

[Bluekiwi]

Is this yours or a newly purchased rental

http://www.nz.open2view.com/properties/335824/tour#photo/1

Its a renovation project to sell.
Finish important as its going to be ovre 1.5m

Looking at a budget around 100k to 120k all up.

[PC]

Could you turn it into a reality TV series?

Batten + new gib over the blocks.
Any moisture, efflorescence?

[Bluekiwi]

Could you turn it into a reality TV series?

Batten + new gib over the blocks.
Any moisture, efflorescence?

This will be done and dusted in a short time, I dont like to spend more than 3 weeks on a reno no matter how large it is.
No time for TV and I wont be there anyway, just meet once with designer / project manager (wonder lady that works for me) and agent, and my job is done.

This was an iconic landmark when it was first built in 1973 by a local identity.
And is a very well built solid 1973 house.

No moisture or damp issues anywhere from what we have seen.
Looks like it could stand as is for 1,000 years.

Had to google "efflorescence" but not one single sign of that throughout the whole house.

[ivanp]

If it was a house to live in or rent, I would insulate it properly:
- fix 45mm battens to the blocks,
- install GreenStuf R1.3 45mm masonry wall blankets
- gib, skim and paint as usual.

I've done that in one of my rentals, it's very warm now.

However I'm not sure if proper insulation adds much value to buyers? it's not visible...

[Bluekiwi]

If it was a house to live in or rent, I would insulate it properly:
- fix 45mm battens to the blocks,
- install GreenStuf R1.3 45mm masonry wall blankets
- gib, skim and paint as usual.

I've done that in one of my rentals, it's very warm now.

However I'm not sure if proper insulation adds much value to buyers? it's not visible...

Actually I think the windows and doors downstairs are not even finished with wood trims, just mounted onto the bare concrete blocks, really the only option then is to skim over with plaster ???

Adding any type of covering to the walls would mean probably new skirting and architraves as well ??

[ivanp]

Adding any type of covering to the walls would mean probably new skirting and architraves as well ??

Yes, probably

[Dugster]

That, or "frame" the windows.

[Trolly]

If it was a house to live in or rent, I would insulate it properly:
- fix 45mm battens to the blocks,
- install GreenStuf R1.3 45mm masonry wall blankets
- gib, skim and paint as usual.

I've done that in one of my rentals, it's very warm now.

However I'm not sure if proper insulation adds much value to buyers? it's not visible...

I totally agree with Ivanp, we did this in a basement rumpus / movie room - massive difference.