Some comments from past students

Received on 7th January `10 from Charlie P. Dundee

Hi Dave. Writing to you at last. Had to let you know that my plastering is coming on really well since my course with you in November. Couple of "keep your sence of humour" moments as you put it but nothing that I could not sort. One of those with your help on the phone. Really enjoyed those 2 days and thank you for all your help since. Hope your re-location plans go okay this time and the courses keep you busy.

Received on 23rd November `09 from Tom G. Glasgow

Thanks for those great 2 days Dave. Really enjoyed it and your training methods. Plenty of attention given and I needed it. Looking forward to plenty of practice over my Christmas break. I`m sure I will be on the phone then. You said you did not mind.

Received on 14th September `09 from Carol F. Carlisle

Hi again Dave. Hard to beleive how much you covered in that 2 day course. Even harder to beleive how much of it I seem to have retained. I am getting really good at my skimming now. Luckily I have a lot to practice on at home. I started on the small walls and, although I have managed the larger ones, I still find them hard work. As you kept saying though, "Its cheaper than going to the gym". Really keeping me fit. I`m sure I will be on the phone or e-mail again before too long. Hope the plans for your move go okay and Barbara is still improving.

Received on 17th July `09 from John D. Inverness

Thanks for a brilliant 2 days last month Dave and the help on the phone since. Skimming is really going well now. Definate improvement since my last chat with you and after watching your DVD again,again and again! Miss your nagging over my shoulder though! Thanks again.

Received on 15th April `09 from Caroline C. Glasgow

Thankyou, yet again, for your recent help on the phone. Great to have you as a back up. Really pleased with our results now. Even got my confidence up on those big walls at last and getting a good finish. I`m sure we will speak again soon though! Brilliant course of yours and love your relaxed, patient method of teaching.

Received on 19th January`09 from Julian B. Edinburgh

Really enjoyed both the plastering and bricklaying courses I attended early last year Dave. Plastering at home has gone really well. Even the ceiling came out great and has saved us a fortune over this past year. Bricklaying comes next so hope I can remember enough to complete the project. Thanks again Dave, also for your recent tips on the phone. Really helpful .

Received on 3rd December `08 from Robert G. Glasgow

I attended the plastering course and found it perfect for my needs. I was looking for a short course which was a hands on and practical teaching of plastering and this course provided me with all the basic ingredients to set me on my way. A worthwhile course for those interested in learning plastering.

Received on 18th September`08 from John Y. Glasgow

On your course last week Dave and just to give you some feed back. Since then I have skimmed 3 walls successfully although I admit the larger one I will probably do again as I have improved since then. (Should have done the small ones first !) Your short course certainly taught me exactly what I wanted and will save me a fortune by the time the house is finished. Its already paid for itself though. Thanks again for a great two days.

Received on 27th August`08 from Tim D. Glasgow

Really appreciate your help on the phone Dave. You managed to put me right on those problems I was having and I have now finished that first bedroom. Really pleased with the results. Even the ceiling has come out well but it was hard work. Had to phone you twice since then. Mainly because my confidence is growing and I am tackling the more difficult areas that need sympathetic repair work. Your course has proved real value for money in my case. Really enjoying it too.

Received on 21st July`08 from John A. Inverness

Thankyou so much for a brilliant course Dave. It proved to be a very busy two days but I am amazed how much information and skill I have learnt in that time. It is also reassuring to know you are there as back up after the course. Only had to phone you once so far but expect I will be in touch again as I tackle each room of the house. Really going well so far. I look at my first wall now and know I can already do it better so am tempted to re-do that one. Getting confident already!! Your method of instruction is perfect. After doing this for so many years you still seem to be so enthusiastic with everyone. Even the chap who struggled to start with managed to get it right in the end. Thanks again and will be in touch.

Received on 18th May `08 from James L. Glasgow

Just a quick message to say how much I enjoyed your course. Even though I was probably the worst, and slowest, of the group I was pretty happy with the results I was able to acheive. It will help me no end with my own house and plastering peoples bathrooms. I will be finishing that bathroom ceiling soon and will let you know how it goes. On a personal note I found your delivery of information very good. You did a fantastic job of putting everyone at ease and, by the end of the course, we could all tease each other as if we had been acquainted for years. A really good environment. Thanks for the energy you put into the course to make it so interesting.

Received on 16th May `08 from Nigel D. East Kilbride

If you recall I attended your 2 day plastering course just before Christmas. Since then I have fitted a Velux rooflight, drylined and plastered it to a great finish, drylined and skimmed my mothers house and now have a few plastering "homers" under my belt. The jobs are rolling in thanks to the course. I have now used my earnings to buy all the plastering and bricklaying tools I need. Finally I need to rebuild a garage and am looking to come on your bricklaying course so should be seeing you again soon.

Received on 26th Jan `08 from Alan R. Edinburgh

Just a short message to thank you for the plastering training you provided this week. It was really enjoyable and great to be able to develop a new skill. The training is really well done. Now to some practice. Will try and remember to let you know about my progress. Thanks again.

Received on 28th Nov `07 from James P. Inverness

I still find it hard to beleive how quick you taught us to lay bricks on my recent course with you. The building of corners certainly slowed us down but its not that difficult once you know the procedure. I appreciate, as you said, there is a lot more to actually building a house but we all picked up the general bricklaying skills so easily. Really enjoyed the 2 days and thankyou again for all the advise you have given me on the phone since.

Received on 10th Sept `07 from Jamie T. Edinburgh

You said that most of us do not get back to you with progress reports unless we have a problem to sort out. Well Dave, I will have to be different. I am now on my second bedroom since the plastering course and no problems that I couldn`t sort myself. Yet! Most of the work is patching and re-skimming of the existing plaster and I find it hard to believe the results I can get after such a short course. Not yet 100% perfect but that will come in time. Really enjoyed the course. Good luck with the pony for Barbara.

Received on 3rd July `07 from Barry G. Glasgow

The first job in my own housse I discussed with you went really well and has given the confidence to tackle the same for others now. Thanks again for a brilliant 2 days Dave and for all your advise on the phone since. See you on the bricklaying course next spring.

Received on 26th March`07 from Rebecca M. Glasgow

Hi Dave. The course was great fun. I was nervous about whether I would manage it and frankly it was hard work for a woman under 5’ and built like a featherweight but I did it! I have to say you’re a rare breed - I’ve never met a laidback perfectionist before but you managed to be hugely relaxed and encouraging but still determined on getting us to produce a good quality finish. I couldn’t believe my wall at the end of day 2 – it was better than the plasterer managed in my last house! Thank you. Pity you don`t teach electrics and plumbing too !

Received on 11th March`07 from Tina C. Newmilns

Hi Dave,Just to say how much I enjoyed the course I completed on 1st Feb 07 (even the lunch was brilliant!) I have now plastered the previously bare plasterboard walls in our utility room and it looks great. Even the retired builder next door thinks I've done a good job - all thanks to your expert training of course. I watched the DVD just beforehand as a refresher.We have now hired a team of Polish builders to carry out the building work on our proposed extension. They start next week so I see a lot more plastering practice coming on soon! I will let you know how I progress. Hope you and Barb are still enjoying the beautiful scenery surrounding you - oh and best regards to Heather!!

Received on 25th Feb`07 from Neal P. Glasgow

I would just like to say thankyou very much for a hugely enjoyable two days on the bricklaying course last week. Your enthusiasm and teaching methods were second to none. I`m itching to get stuck into my garden wall now and thanks to you I`ll be tackling it with great confidence. I`ll try to remember what you said and not to get too hung up on perfection but thats just my way and it`ll be hard to settle for anything less. I will keep you informed of my progress and will make it back one day for the plastering course. Many thanks.

Received on 10th Jan`07 from Iain M. Glasgow

A big thankyou Dave for sending me a copy of your new DVD. It was 3 months since my course before I had chance to plaster out my bedroom and I struggled on the first wall. I just seemed to have forgotten the basics. Hence my phone call to you for help. Once I had watched the DVD it all came back to me and the rest of the bedroom went great over Christmas. I even re-skimmed that first wall. Thanks again for your help. Bathroom next!

Received on 12th Nov`06 from David M. Edinburgh

Hope you remember me Dave. I was the chap with the engineering business on your plastering course earlier this year. I just thought you would like to know I started a plastering business of my own in August and its going very well. I am gaining more experience with every job and loving it. It is very satisfying and rewarding. I would like to say a big thankyou Dave.

Received on 5th Sept`06 from Derek & Pam G. Carlisle

Really enjoyed our 2 days with you Dave and thought had better let you know you have saved us a fortune. The house renovation is coming on great and I`m sure Pam is getting better than me at the plastering. Better send her on a plumbing course next then ! Thanks again Dave and give our regards to Barbara.

Received on 18th July`06 from David P. Livingston

Just thought I would drop you a line to say thanks for your patience with me on the plastering course.I have since completed about 10 jobs, mainly for friends and work mates. The responce from my first customer was "spot on". The word soon then spread but again Dave, only thanks to your never ending patience. Cheers. ps: See you later on your bricklaying course.

Received on 10th July`06 from Peter T. Aberdeen

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you Dave but had to try out all new skills first. I still find it hard to beleive how much you managed to teach me in the 4 days with you. I now manage to do all my own bricklaying and plastering jobs when renovating and really appreciate your advise over the phone the couple of times I have had to call. Recommend your bricklaying and plastering courses to anyone like me who needs the skills little but often in my renovating work. You will save me a fortune in time and money before too long. Many thanks again Dave and all the very best to you and Barbara.

Received on 23rd May`06 from Mark S. Perthshire

Thanks again for the great course on how to plaster.You`ll be pleased to hear that I bought a Marshalltown trowel after I left my cheap thing at your place. I`m glad I did. I have now plastered my bathroom and two small hall areas and am pretty pleased with the results. Thanks again also for all your recent advice.

Received on 15th May`06 from John D. East Kilbride

Really enjoyed the 2 day bricklaying course Dave. Thanks for your patience. Still find it hard to beleive I acheived so much in just 2 days. I now feel able to tackle my front wall without worrying about the neighbours watching. Again, thanks for changing the format on that second day to help me with this wall.

Received on 3rd Jan 06 from Roy H. Aberdeen.

Arrived at the course a complete novice, who found the idea of plastering completely bewildering, and when my wife asked me to handle small jobs, I got incredibly stressed.

When I arrived I set myself the target of being able to patch up cracks and do other minor tasks, as I thought it would be beyond me to get the hang of bigger jobs.

I didn't account for Dave's teaching abilities.

By the end of my first day, I felt tired, but proud of myself, as I'd done a better job of base coating than a professional had recently done in my own house.

Then, on the second day, Dave coached us to produce a glassy smooth finish on a ceiling, and on our own base coat. No stone was left unturned.

A month later I plastered a bedroom in my own house, and I could hear Dave's coaching in my head as I did the job. The finish is as good as any professional job we've had done.

This course has already paid for itself and people are asking when I'm free to do some work in their house.

To sum up, it's a tremendous course. Friendly service, but most of all, practical and effective training. I wish my teachers at school had made a similar impression on me!

Received on 12 th Dec. 05 from Tim B. Aberdeen

Many thanks for todays course with all your information and instructions. I certainly feel to have gained some knowledge. The next few weeks will reveal all.

I have attached a picture of my house so you can gauge the size of my DIY needs.

All going well to date and I seem to be improving with age.

Received on 1 st Nov. 05 from Richard B. Preston

Brilliant course Dave. Your teaching method is great. 2 days just packed with information yet enough humour to make it most enjoyable.

I practised on my Mums lounge at first and it went like clockwork so feel more confident to tackle my own place.

I start working with my plasterer friend in a couple of weeks time and hope it turns into a full time job. He seemed quite impressed with mums lounge anyway.

Thanks again for all your help and guidance.

Richard

Received on 20 th Dec. 05 from Sue P. Glasgow

David's two day course is a must for anyone like myself who renovates houses and has had trouble tracking down a plasterer. You really can learn the rudiments in 2 days with expert tuition. There is nothing to beat hands-on learning with a master who is able to pass on his knowledge in simple easy to grasp modules. I really appreciated having lots of individual attention and came away from the course confident that I could tackle the work.

I have gone on to tackle more complicated jobs for other people and I have lots of jobs lined up. It would seem that people appreciate a plasterer who turns up on time, cleans up meticulously and gets the job done when they say they will.

I am looking forward to a bright and prosperous New Year and hope you are too.
Very best wishes,
Sue P.

Received on 28 th Nov. 05 from John T. Newcastle

Sorry its taken me so long to get in touch but I had to get stuck into my plastering at home first to make sure I could remember all you taught me.

No problems at all Dave. I find it hard to believe I can get such a good result after only 2 days spent on your course. Really enjoyed my time there. That’s a great place you have and I hope Barbara is still improving.

Will call if I hit any snags!

All the best John

Received on 22 nd Oct. 05 from Jim M. Kilmarnock

I know you have had a lot easier students than me Dave but your patience was tremendous. Don't know how you do it for a living as you must have a lot more like me.

I started on my place as soon as I got home and it took me a couple of walls (and a phone call to you) to get to grips with the trowel again but I am truly flying now. I`m sure I will have to call on you again for more help one day but you have given me the confidence to do what I never thought would be possible.

Afraid I still tend to make more mess on the floor than most but I am also getting better at clearing up after myself.

Thanks again Dave for your patience. Jim