Basically, a 'mud job' is just putting a thin veneer of compound over wallboard..it can also be called a 'skim coat'. It is basically joint compound, rarely it is plaster. Yes the guy has referrals, but what were the projects? Were they sensitive work on old houses to yield something which is like what might have been the original appearance, or were they gut jobs and remodels with no respect for the original house? From what you've said of him, I suspect the latter. Ripping out and replacing work with newer materials often yields an inferior result and costs more money than a decent job--he is pushing for the fastest methods to do the work, like someone who is primarily a 'flipper' of houses, not a true professional. Despite your saying he isn't profiting somewhere with his subcontractors or materials, I don't believe it for a second...he is going to make money somewhere, otherwise he wouldn't be doing the job. Based on the information provided as to his recommendations for the work to be done, he IS suggesting things which aren't needed. With a baby on the way, and new home owners, he is seeing a prime opportunity to make some fast money. Did you get estimates from other contractors and painters? That is an absolute MUST for any project. I know I'm sounding negative to you, but it is just common sense--I used to be a trusting person, but being burned one time too many changed that--and since a house is your biggest investment, you don't want to take ANY chances with such a big ticket expense. With a new addition to the family coming, you absolutely MUST save where you can, unless you have deep pockets, which you say you don't. Just a queston of curiosity: who put the idea in your head that the walls lead paint was a danger which had to be addressed by a complete removal? Paint chips are eliminated with vacuuming, unless you let them accumulate for weeks...and painted trim is going to be more likely to give them especially at corners...but again, the solution is to make sure the paint is sound and has a firmly adhered new layer.

So regardless it looks like, bonding agent is a good thing. (mesh or paper tape) is a personal preference (durabond or easysand) is another personal preference Other than that the actual process is good. I think I am going to go with the "belt and suspender" routine mentioned above, it may be a bit of overkill but It makes me feel better and honestly I have heard great results from either method. I have read paper tape is thinner than mesh tape and easier to hide, but for some reason or another after reading everything i could find, I am going with the mesh tape. Thank you for all your input, I will take before and after photos and post them in a few days.

Full disclosure -- my contractor was my neighbor for 10 years, at my previous home and took on my renovation, including looking at houses with me, after my husband died from brain cancer at age 60. So, before I purchased my house, he, and an engineer friend of us, looked over everything in my basement, foundation, attic, roof, etc. to make sure I wasn't buying a money pit. They didn't charge me for looking at houses I was considering. He also let me manage the crew, buy my own fixtures, use my cabinetmaker (who had built my kitchens in two new builds) so that he didn't have to charge me for as much of his time nor for markup on the fixtures and cabinets. He also had his guys do the repairs for the house I sold, when the buyers asked for a few things. I am very fortunate to have a neighbor like that --and, that's another reason why I didn't bother him until he showed up!

My 1940 house has had similar plaster cracks. My walls are smooth finish, and some cracks have been filled with plaster of paris, and others were fixed with drywall mud. Both solutions seem to work fine. The wall and house construction is probably fine. Plaster is very hard and unflexible, so seasonal weather changes and and expansion or contraction of the house structure can cause cracks to appear. The plaster can't give, so it cracks. Also tell her to make sure she uses the right technique to hang pictures and shelves on the walls. Just nailing a picture hanger in may cause the plaster surface to fracture, and lead to a divot the size of a quarter around the hole. Even small picture hanger nails should have a small predrilled hole, and then very gentle hammer action to drive the nail in. Another issue to be aware of is that the house probably has shiny oil-based paint on the inside trim and doors, and its a real PIA to get modern paints to stick to the smooth finish. Vigorous sanding (wearing a mask) and good primer are mandatory if you don't want the new paint to just peel off with your fingernail. Bruce