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Drafting general terms and conditions for plasterers starts with the risks specific to plastering and stucco work: drying times and climate conditions, a disclaimer regarding shrinkage cracks, a reservation regarding the substrate, a clear warranty scheme, additional work, and payment. If you handle these points precisely, you will prevent virtually every dispute that plastering companies encounter in practice. Below, we will review article by article what belongs in a solid set and where the pitfalls lie.
The short answer
- Drying times and climate: stipulate that the client respects drying time and room conditions.
- Shrinkage crack disclaimer: hairline cracks in fresh plaster are not a defect.
- Subsurface reservation: damage caused by a defective subsurface or that of another party falls outside your liability.
- Warranty: scope, duration, and exclusions specifically described.
- Additional work: extra work only after agreement, at a pre-known rate.
- Payment: installments, advance payment and default.
Start with the core: drying times and climate
Most plasterwork problems occur after completion, during the drying phase. Therefore, stipulate that the client respects the prescribed drying time before painting, wallpapering, or finishing, and that the room is not heated, ventilated, or humidified too quickly or too intensely during that period. Include that the consequences of failure to comply with these conditions—cracking, peeling finish, discoloration—are at the client's expense.
Include an indicative drying time (depending on layer thickness, material, and room), but keep it as a guideline so that you are not tied to an exact timeframe that varies by situation.
The shrinkage cracks disclaimer
Cementitious and gypsum-based plasters shrink upon hardening. Fine hairline cracks are inherent to the material and should not be classified as a defect. Include a provision that clarifies:
- Hairline cracks within normal tolerances are not a defect.
- Cracking caused by settlement, structural movement, or external vibrations is outside your responsibility.
- Repairing such cracks is additional work, not warranty work.
Pay attention to the consumer limit: a disclaimer that is so broad that it excludes every type of crack may be unreasonably burdensome (Art. 6:237 BW). Limit the disclaimer to normal cracking inherent to the material.
The subsurface reservation
You often plaster on someone else's work: masonry, plasterboard, concrete, or an existing wall. The quality of this partly determines the final result. Therefore, include:
- You may assume a sound, dry, and stable subsoil, unless otherwise agreed.
- Defects arising from the substrate (movement, moisture, settlement, insufficient adhesion) fall outside your liability.
- Preparatory repair of a defective subsoil is additional work.
Add an inspection obligation: if you discover visible defects beforehand, report them. This way, you remain reasonable towards the customer and the reservation holds up.
Warranty: scope and limits
A warranty sells, but only if it is clearly defined. Describe:
- On which: the soundness of the plasterwork applied by you.
- How long: a concrete timeframe (for example, one to two years, depending on the work).
- Exclusions: shrinkage cracks within tolerances, damage caused by the customer, substrate defects, incorrect workmanship by third parties, overdue maintenance.
- Recovery method: you decide whether to recover, redo, or credit.
Be careful with guarantees that go beyond what you can deliver — an overly broad promise binds you legally.
Additional work and the payment arrangement
Additional work. Extra rooms, thicker layers, decorative plaster instead of smooth plasterwork, or unforeseen repairs fall outside the original price. Stipulate that additional work will only be carried out upon instruction from the client and will be charged at a rate or hourly rate known in advance.
Payment. Rule:
- An advance payment or deposit for larger orders, so that you do not pre-finance materials.
- A clear payment term (for example, 14 days after invoice).
- Default, statutory (commercial) interest and collection costs in case of late payment.
- A title or suspension arrangement in the event that the customer fails to pay.
A brief practical example
A plasterer receives a commission for smooth plasterwork in two rooms. On site, the existing wall turns out to be wet and powdery. Without a substrate reservation and a clause regarding additional work, he would have to carry out the repair for free or refuse the work. With a proper set of rules, he establishes that the repair of the substrate is additional work, has the client sign, and carries out the work without discussion — with the risk of cracking covered.
Honest recommendation
Drafting your own general terms and conditions is perfectly feasible, provided you clearly define the six core points—drying times, shrinkage cracks, substrate, warranty, additional work, and payment—tailored to plastering work, and provide the set correctly. For standard private practice, you do not necessarily need a lawyer for this; a solid basic set often suffices. Do engage a lawyer, however, if you wish to monitor consumer boundaries (grey and black lists), if you work with contractors and their own purchasing terms and conditions, or if you want to tailor warranty and liability provisions. Do not modify generic finishing terms and conditions—they specifically lack the plastering-specific risks.
Read more: view the general terms and conditions for plasterers, first read what general terms and conditions for plasterers are and consider when it is best to have general terms and conditions for plasterers drawn up.
Frequently Asked Questions
The six core points of plastering: drying times and climate conditions, a shrinkage crack disclaimer, a substrate reservation, a defined warranty, an additional work clause, and a payment arrangement. These points cover virtually all discussions that plastering companies have in practice.
Stipulate that the client respects the prescribed drying time before finishing and refrains from excessively heating, ventilating, or humidifying the room during that period. Include an indicative drying time as a guideline so that you are not bound to an exact timeframe that varies depending on layer thickness and room.
Limit the disclaimer to normal, inherent hairline cracks and cracking caused by settlement or movement of the structure. Do not exclude *every* crack — this can be unreasonably burdensome for consumers (Art. 6:237 BW). State that the repair of such cracks is additional work, not warranty work.
Include a clause stating that you may assume a sound, dry, and stable subsoil and that defects in the subsoil fall outside your liability. Add an inspection obligation: report visible defects in advance. Charge preparatory repair of a defective subsoil as additional work.
There is no statutory standard term; one to two years is customary, depending on the work. More important than the duration is the scope: describe what the warranty applies to, what exclusions apply (shrinkage cracks, customer damage, substrate), and how you will carry out repairs. Do not promise more than you can deliver.
Stipulate that additional work — extra rooms, thicker layers, decorative plaster, or unforeseen repairs — will only be carried out upon instruction from the client and will be charged at a rate or hourly rate known in advance. Preferably, have the client confirm the additional work in writing or digitally.
Yes. For larger orders, an advance payment or deposit is customary so that you do not pre-finance materials. In addition to the advance payment, stipulate a payment term, default clause, statutory (commercial) interest, and collection costs, plus a right of suspension if the client fails to pay.
