Plastering in London

What this work involves

Plastering is work we take on regularly, on both older and newer buildings. Most people looking for this want Get walls and ceilings flat, sound and ready to decorate. What the work involves depends on the condition of the existing surface, so we price from what is there.

Plastering in London

If your property is in London, London, this is work we can quote for. Surrounding parts of London are covered on the same terms.

What is included

This normally includes:

• Skimming
• Float and set
• Plasterboarding
• Ceilings
• Patching and repairs
• Beads and reveals

Typical jobs

The requests we see most often locally:

• Full house plastering
• Single room
• Extension finish
• Repairs after electrics or plumbing
• Artex ceiling overboard
• Skimming
• Float and set
• Plasterboarding

Preparation and process

Preparation is the part people see least and notice most, so it is not skipped.

1. Check surface soundness
2. Remove failed plaster
3. Seal or bond surfaces
4. Backing coat where needed
5. Finish coat
6. Clear up and inspect

Materials used depend on the substrate and finish: Multi-finish, Bonding, Hardwall and Plasterboard.

Suitable properties

Suitable property types include:

• Terraced house
• Semi-detached house
• Detached house
• Flat
• New build
• Extension

Problems this solves

Situations where this work is the right answer:

• Blown or hollow plaster
• Cracks and holes
• Uneven patched walls
• Artex ceilings
• Damage after first-fix work

Local considerations

As a region, London has a mix of building ages, and older walls behave differently to newer plasterboard.

Preparation and what we need from you

Preparation decides the finish. Loose or blown plaster is removed rather than skimmed over, dusty surfaces are sealed so the finish coat doesn't dry too fast, and shiny or previously painted surfaces need a bonding treatment to give the plaster something to grip.

Before we start it helps if furniture is moved out or into the middle of the room, curtains and blinds are taken down, and anything fragile is put somewhere else. Floors and remaining items are covered by us. If electrics or plumbing are being moved, they should be first-fixed before plastering — chasing walls afterwards means patching a finished surface.

What plastering work covers

• Skimming — a thin finish coat over sound existing plaster or new board to give a flat, paintable surface
• Float and set — a backing coat plus finish on bare brick or block, used after old plaster is removed
• Plasterboarding — boarding out studwork, ceilings and dot-and-dab to masonry, then skimming
• Patching and repairs — filling in after electrics, plumbing, removed fireplaces, doorways and old fixings
• Ceilings — overboarding tired or artex ceilings and skimming to a flat finish
• Beads and reveals — external corners, window reveals and stop ends detailed so edges stay crisp

We also say when plastering is the wrong answer: a wall with active damp or a failed surface behind it needs the cause dealt with first, otherwise fresh plaster fails in the same places.

Plastering for walls and ceilings that are ready to decorate

Good plastering is mostly invisible — you notice it only when light rakes across a wall and shows every ripple the previous trowel left behind. We plaster whole houses, single rooms, extensions, reconfigured layouts and repairs, working to a flat, closed finish that takes paint evenly first time.

That covers skimming over existing surfaces, plasterboarding and skimming new stud or ceiling work, and float-and-set on bare masonry. Which of those a room needs is decided by what's on the wall now and how sound it is, not by whichever is quickest.

Plastering questions

Can you plaster over existing plaster?

Yes, where the existing surface is sound and well bonded — that's what skimming is for. If it sounds hollow, is crumbling, or has blown away from the masonry, it comes off first and the wall is re-backed, otherwise the new finish fails with the old one.

Can existing plaster be repaired instead of replaced?

Often, yes. Localised damage — cracks, holes, a removed fireplace, chased-in cables — can be cut out and made good, then blended in. Whole-wall replacement is for surfaces that have failed across the area rather than in patches.

Can you plaster over artex?

Usually the ceiling is overboarded or the surface is treated and skimmed. Which route we recommend depends on the depth of the pattern and the condition of the ceiling behind it.

How long does a room take?

A single room is commonly a day or two of work depending on size, whether ceilings are included, and how much backing coat is needed. Drying time before decorating is separate and depends on ventilation and thickness.

What preparation is required?

Rooms should be as clear as possible, first-fix electrics and plumbing done, and any damp problems resolved beforehand. We cover floors and remaining furniture and remove waste at the end.

Related services

You may also need:

• Rendering in London
• Skimming in London
• Dry Lining in London

Common questions

Do you cover London?

Yes. London is within our working area for plastering. We confirm timing when you enquire.

Plastering over existing plaster?

This depends on the property, so we would rather answer it properly once we have seen the surface than give a general answer that may not apply to your job.

Do I need to move out or clear the room?

For most jobs the room needs to be clear of furniture and floor coverings protected. We will tell you exactly what to move before we arrive.

How much does plastering cost?

We do not publish a fixed price, because cost depends on the size of the area, the condition of the existing surface, access and the finish you want. We give a written quote after assessing the job rather than an estimate that changes later.

How long does the work take?

It depends on the area and how much preparation is needed, and drying time between coats cannot be shortened safely. We give a realistic timescale with the quote instead of a generic figure.

Is there anything you do not cover?

We do not carry out damp-proofing, electrical or plumbing first-fix work.

Repair vs replace?

This depends on the property, so we would rather answer it properly once we have seen the surface than give a general answer that may not apply to your job.

How we work

We quote in writing, explain what the work involves before starting, and tell you if a different approach would serve the building better. If a job is not right for us, we say so.

What to expect

Every quote starts with understanding the surface and what you want the finish to achieve. We explain the work, the preparation involved and the timescale before any price is agreed, so there are no surprises once the job is under way.

What good work looks like

A plastering job is a sequence of dependent stages, and skipping any of them shows up eventually. The substrate needs to be clean and stable, the base coat needs to bond properly, each coat needs to be flat and consistent, and the finish needs to be applied at the right thickness. Drying time is not optional — it is part of the process, and shortening it is how problems start.

Choosing the right approach

The right approach for a plastering job depends on what is already on the wall or ceiling, what condition it is in, and what the finished surface needs to achieve. Skimming over an existing finish is sometimes the right call; other times it stores up problems. We assess the substrate and recommend the approach that will last, even if it is not the cheapest option.

Service coverage

Coverage: London and the surrounding area. If you are just outside it, ask and we will tell you honestly whether the journey makes sense for the job.

Ask about your job

Send a short description of the work in London, along with rough measurements or photos, and we will reply with a written quote.