Surface protection and preparation
The quote should state the preparation, protection, disposal and making-good included, not just the visible repair itself.
Plasterer service guide
Wall and ceiling skim-coat plasterers
Get smooth, paint-ready walls by comparing preparation, bonding, number of coats, drying expectations and protection of your home.
Free for homeownersUp to three quotesLocal trade matchingNo obligation to hire
Typical project budget
£500–£2,500
Use this as a planning range only. Your property, region, specification and access determine the final quotation.
What the work can include
PVA or bonding where appropriate
Ask for this stage to be described in the written scope, including the materials, workmanship standard, access arrangements and what a finished result looks like.
Two-coat skim finish
Ask for this stage to be described in the written scope, including the materials, workmanship standard, access arrangements and what a finished result looks like.
Sanding, snagging and clean-down
Ask for this stage to be described in the written scope, including the materials, workmanship standard, access arrangements and what a finished result looks like.
How to compare quotations
Wall condition and background
Ask what the inspection covers, which hidden conditions could change the price and how any additional work must be approved.
Area and ceiling height
Ask the tradesperson to define this allowance, its exclusions and the evidence they will provide at handover so every quote can be compared fairly.
Existing wallpaper or loose plaster
Ask the tradesperson to define this allowance, its exclusions and the evidence they will provide at handover so every quote can be compared fairly.
Cornices, sockets and furniture
Ask the tradesperson to define this allowance, its exclusions and the evidence they will provide at handover so every quote can be compared fairly.
Questions homeowners ask
Can skim coat hide every crack?
Active movement, damp and deep cracks need their cause treated first; plaster alone is not a structural repair.
How long before painting?
Drying depends on thickness, ventilation and weather; the plasterer should give a realistic decoration window.
Is making good included?
Clarify whether chasing, board replacement, coving removal and final sanding are included or excluded.