Plasterers in Merseyside

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.

• 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.

1. Talk it through. You describe the work, send photos where possible, and we ask the questions that actually affect the price — surface condition, access, how many rooms, and when you need it done.

2. Quote. You get a written, itemised quote covering materials, labour and how long the job should take. No obligation.

3. Protect and prepare. Floors and fittings are covered, loose or blown material is removed, and surfaces are prepared properly. Preparation is where most finishes are won or lost.

4. Carry out the work. We work in sequence so each coat is applied at the right stage, and we keep you informed if anything unexpected turns up behind the old surface.

5. Clear up and check. Waste is removed, the area is left clean, and we walk the finished work with you before we leave.

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.

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.

Tell us what needs doing and we'll come back with a clear, itemised price. Send a few photos of the room or wall if you have them — it usually means we can quote accurately without a site visit, and you'll know exactly what's included before any work starts.