i have to agree with your parents as i would have expected the builder to organise all structural framing but depends on what your builder has agreed to in your contract but i'd be surprised if the plasterer will be happy to do structural framing but this plasterer might always do this type if framing in your local area and the builder may already have known this??..regardless of who should do what if you want the raised ceilings the work has to be done so, tell the plasterer that the builder said to ask them and then you'll have to pay whoever can do the work..

In a normal building situation, the plasterer is usually a sub-contractor to the builder, and the builder should be quoting on the plans provided which should document the raised ceiling and the bulkhead. It is the builders' responsibility to organise the trades to frame up and plaster the ceiling, and at the end of the day, the builder is responsible that the job is completed according to the documentation.

My guess is that the builder overlooked quoting on the extra expense needed for the raised ceiling and bulkhead and is trying to wriggle out of it? You need to get the ceiling correctly framed up before the plasterer starts work as he is not going to get it right for you.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls.

Thanks for that , I’m owner builder and organising everything so I’ll double check all that