Re-stumping advice

Our house is in desperate need of re-stumping. We have lather (sp?) plaster that is cracking and we need to get the stumps done before we can fix the walls. Has anyone had their house re-stumped before? What should we ask about and look out for? I have heard that the lather plaster is terrible, has anyone had experiences (good or bad) with this when re-stumping?

I guess I am just a bit paraoid that something will go terribly wrong and we will be up for lots of extra money... I really don't want to use all our renovation budget on just one thing.

If you need re-stumping, it is much better to do it before any painting/plastering or all the money you put into that will be wasted (because they will crack as the house subsides, or when you get it restumped). I think it is also better to wait 6 months or so post restumping, to allow all the walls to settle before doing the plastering/painting.

Not sure what the plaster is that you have.

I agree that it sucks spending money on restumping, when you don't really get to see any benefit, but it will help all your later renovations stay and look good.