Wall skimming
Creating a smooth plaster finish over suitable existing plaster, boards or prepared backgrounds.
Plasterers London
Find plasterers in London
Need skimming, ceiling work, repairs or rendering in London? Describe the surfaces and their condition once, then compare plasterers who cover your area.
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Looking for a plasterer near you in London?
Enter the postcode and show the walls or ceilings with clear photos. Say whether the surface is old plaster, plasterboard, brick, painted render or affected by cracks or moisture so London plasterers can judge preparation.
Common plasterer services
What can plasterers in London help with?
Choose a professional whose experience matches the scale and practical requirements of your job.
Ceiling plastering
Skimming or repairing ceilings after damage, boarding or other building work.
Patch repairs
Repairing local cracks, holes, blown areas and chases after plumbing or electrical work.
Plasterboarding
Installing boards to suitable walls or ceilings before jointing or plaster finishing.
Rendering
Internal or external render work where the substrate, exposure and chosen system are appropriate.
Making good after repairs
Restoring wall and ceiling finishes after leaks, rewiring, pipework or other disruptive work has been completed.
How much does plastering cost?
Area, ceiling height, substrate condition and preparation affect labour. Current 2026 UK guidance gives these useful benchmarks:
£100–£300Patch repair
£250–£400One wall
£450–£650Small room
£600–£850Medium room
Indicative UK guidance checked August 2026 from MyJobQuote. London quotes vary with preparation, boarding, damaged backgrounds, ceiling height, protection and whether damp or leaks must be resolved first.
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Find out what is underneath the damaged finish
Skimming can make a wall look new, but it will not repair an active leak, unstable background or penetrating damp.
- Send photos showing the whole wall or ceiling and close-ups of damage.
- Say whether wallpaper, loose paint or old plaster needs removing.
- Mention damp patches and whether the underlying cause has been repaired.
- Confirm boarding, beads, bonding, protection and waste in the quote.
Cost sources: MyJobQuote 2026 plastering cost guide
London plastering context
A large share of London's homes are old, and moisture should be understood before cosmetic repair
Age does not automatically mean a wall needs special treatment, but older construction and existing moisture can change the right preparation.
More than a quarter of London homes date from before 1919
The London Assembly Research Unit reports that 27.6% of London's housing stock is pre-1919. Older homes can contain lime plaster, solid masonry and layers of past repair, so the existing construction should be identified before specifying modern boards, gypsum or render systems.
Source: London Assembly Research Unit — age of London's homes
The housing survey still finds damp and mould in London homes
The same report says 3.7% of London homes were found to have damp or mould in 2022. Plaster can be damaged by moisture, but new plaster is not a cure for an active leak, condensation problem or penetrating damp. The source should be understood first.
Local to London
Plasterers covering London
Plasterers may cover London selectively by postcode and job size. Example areas include:
CamdenIslingtonHackneyGreenwichWandsworthEalingCroydonBarnet
Show stains and cracks before they are covered
Photos of the whole wall or ceiling plus close-ups of damage help distinguish a straightforward skim from a job needing repair or investigation first.
Older walls may need different materials. If the property has traditional lime or solid-wall construction, ask whether the proposed system is compatible rather than automatically using a modern impermeable finish.
How it works
Show the existing finish once, then compare London plasterers
Photos and clear dimensions help distinguish a small repair from whole-room preparation.
Describe the surfaces
Add the postcode, dimensions, photos, current finish and any known damp or structural history.
Hear from suitable plasterers
Up to three interested London plasterers can respond.
Compare preparation and finish
Check reviews and compare removal, boarding, bonding, beads, skimming, protection and waste.
Before you hire
What should you check before hiring a plasterer?
The quality of the finished surface depends on whether the background is sound and correctly prepared.
Ask what preparation is included
Loose material, old finishes and damaged backgrounds may need removal or stabilisation before skimming.
Resolve moisture first
If the wall is damp, identify and repair the cause before cosmetic plastering.
Agree the finished condition
Clarify whether the quote includes only plastering or also sanding, priming, decorating and waste removal.
Questions
Plasterers in London: common questions
Useful answers before you post the job.
How much does plastering cost in London?
A small repair may be around £150–£300, while full-room skimming and ceilings can run several hundred pounds or more depending on size, height and preparation.
Should damp plaster just be skimmed over?
Not until the moisture source is understood. New plaster can fail if there is an active leak, penetrating damp or unresolved condensation.
Does the age of my London house matter?
It can. More than a quarter of London homes are pre-1919, and some older walls use traditional materials that need compatible repairs.
How long before I can paint new plaster?
Drying time depends on thickness, ventilation, temperature and the substrate. Ask the plasterer for the appropriate drying and mist-coat guidance for the job.
Do I have to hire a plasterer who responds?
No. Up to three interested local professionals can respond and there is no obligation to hire.
Ready to compare plasterers in London?
Show the surfaces and condition once, then compare interested London plasterers and their preparation and finish quotes.
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