Skimming
For a stable wall or ceiling that mainly needs a fresh, smooth finishing coat. Repairs and preparation are agreed before the skim.
Explore skimming →
Plastering Service London
Professional Plasterer in London
Wall and ceiling plastering should start with the condition of the surface, not a one-size-fits-all specification. We assess whether your job needs a local repair, skimming, replastering or a ceiling-specific approach, then agree the preparation and finish.
20+ years in the tradeLondon-wide coverageFree quotations
Assessment before specification
Professional plastering starts with the background
A smooth final coat is only dependable when the material beneath it is suitable. That is why the first question is not simply “can this be skimmed?” but whether the existing plaster is sound, stable and appropriate for the finish you want.
Local damage may only need making good. A stable but tired surface may be suitable for skimming. Loose, hollow or extensively failed plaster can move the job into replastering. Ceilings also need their own assessment, particularly where there are old repairs, movement or previous water damage.
Tell us what you plan to do after plastering as well. If cabinets, tiles, fitted joinery or a particular decorative finish are involved, the expected plane and finish should be discussed before the quotation is agreed.
Find the right service
Start with the condition, then choose the plastering work
These services solve different problems. The aim of this page is to help you choose the right route rather than sell the same treatment for every wall or ceiling.
Plaster repairs
For holes, chased services, damaged corners, isolated cracks and local defects where the surrounding plaster remains suitable.
Explore plaster repairs →Replastering
For wider failure, loose or friable plaster, or backgrounds that need more substantial preparation than a finishing skim.
Explore replastering →Ceiling plastering
For ceiling repairs, skimming and wider ceiling work, with lighting, previous patches, cracks and water damage considered in the scope.
Explore ceiling plastering →Not sure which route?
Compare the signs that point towards a local repair, a skim or more extensive replastering before requesting a quotation.
Use the decision guide →Exterior rendering
External walls need a separate render specification based on the substrate, exposure, detailing and finish required.
Explore rendering →
Making good
A patch repair needs context
A close-up shows the damage; a wider view shows where the repair sits. Send both when possible, especially if the area is next to a doorway, corner or an earlier repair.
Tell us how the damage happened and whether it has returned before. A surface repair should not be treated as an explanation for recurring movement or unresolved moisture. Those issues need assessment before finishing work is decided.
The visible details
Look beyond the centre of the wall
Corners, edges and the areas around openings all contribute to the finished appearance. Include them when discussing the job, particularly if the work meets an existing surface you intend to keep.
If you’re unsure what is realistic for an older or uneven wall, ask before the work starts. It helps to agree the intended result rather than discover that you and the plasterer had different expectations.
From assessment to finish
What the plastering work involves
Understand the background
Discuss existing finishes, damage and the areas included. Identify what needs a closer assessment.
Agree the preparation
Clarify repairs, removal, boarding or other preparation alongside the proposed finish.
Carry out the agreed work
Prepare and plaster the specified surfaces, with attention to the areas where new and existing work meet.
Discuss the next stage
Review the completed areas and ask about drying and decorating guidance for the materials used.
London properties
Work in homes, flats and commercial premises
Our service covers Central, North, South, East and West London. Include your postcode so we can discuss the location and practical arrangements for the job.
For work involving several rooms or other trades, our quotation checklist explains how to set out the scope and access requirements.
Before you decide
Make the quotation specific to your surfaces
The amount of plastering is only part of the price. Preparation and the precise areas included also need to be clear. Our price guide explains the budgeting figures; a quotation relates them to the actual work.
Want to know more about the business first? Visit our About page or follow the profile links below.
About the service
Questions about the finished work
Can I have one ceiling plastered without doing the walls?
Yes, a ceiling can be discussed as a separate job. Tell us what needs changing and whether nearby walls or fittings have already been decorated, so the scope and protection can be agreed.
Can you make good after sockets or fittings have been moved?
We can discuss repairs to areas affected by alterations. Show us the patches and confirm whether the electrical or other installation work is complete. Include any surrounding surface you want refinished.
Will the new plaster match an existing finish exactly?
Discuss the junction between new and existing work before starting. The condition, texture and eventual decoration affect how a repair looks. An exact visual match should not be assumed from a photograph.
Is painting part of your plastering quotation?
Do not assume that decorating is included. Ask for the quotation to state the plastering finish and any separate work, and discuss when the next stage can begin for the materials used.
What should I do if I notice an issue after completion?
Get in touch with photos and a description of what you’ve noticed. Include when it appeared and where it is. Raise it before covering the area with paint or carrying out another repair so it can be considered properly.
For more on existing surfaces and aftercare, browse our plastering FAQs.
Show us the wall or ceiling you want assessed
Send your postcode, a wide photograph and close-ups of any cracks, loose areas or previous repairs. We can discuss the likely route and what the quotation should make clear.
Which professional plastering route fits the surface?
Skim
Stable background; the main issue is the final surface finish.
Repair
Localised damage with dependable surrounding plaster.
Replaster
Loose, hollow, friable or extensively failed material needs wider preparation.