Find a local plaster skimming specialist
Over 10,000 rated tradespeople
are ready to help you get your job done
Over 3 million happy homeowners
have found a quality tradesperson
Over 1 million ratings
with 88,000 5* ratings in the last 12 months
Join our group of happy customers
Thousands of 5 star reviews
Read real reviews from customers about their service experiences.
Miro gave me a fair price and had a slot so could do the work next day. He did an excellent job and was polite, clean and tidy. Had a short lunch break and was finished mid afternoon. Would recommend.
Richard
Brilliant, very nice man and did a very good job
Liam
GM Plasterers did a very good job for us. Quickly and up to a high standard.
Magda
Skimming plaster is a relatively straightforward job. It’s literally a few millimetres thick, but it can have a huge impact on your home. Finding an expert for your skimming is a must to get a smooth crisp finish. To refresh your walls and ceilings this year and create the ideal surface for decorating, find an expert plasterer today.
Browse Plaster Skimming specialists
Take a look at our Plaster Skimming specialists profiles, read reviews and request quotes directly.
Local plaster skimming specialists near me | Rated People
Skimming plaster is the secret weapon of any home renovation connoisseur, giving you a smooth, modern finish to work from. It instantly transforms a drab interior and can be used to cover up dated decorative surfaces and fusty old-fashioned patterns.
It may look easy enough, but skimming is a job for a seasoned plastering pro. The skim layer itself is wafer-thin –just 1–2 mm in depth. That means it must be applied precisely, and with painstaking care. And before you even reach for a trowel, you’ll need to ensure the surface you’re plastering is correctly prepared, while also mixing your skim plaster to perfection.
Once your tradesperson has finished skimming walls and ceilings in your home, it will be ready to decorate however you choose. But remember – painting on fresh plaster may need a dedicated base coat, or the new surface may start to flake and crumble.
What is the price of skimming?
Most plastering jobs are priced per square metre. While a full plastering job will cost around £15 per sqm, skimming alone is usually cheaper (as it’s quicker). Expect to pay between £3–£5 per sqm.
How to skim plaster
- Every experienced tradesperson knows that the essential first step in any job is gathering the right tools and materials. For skimming plaster, it means the correct type of plaster (more on that below). It also means a large bucket, an electric mixer (or a drill with a mixer attachment), a stainless-steel trowel, a plastering hawk, a float, a step ladder and a large paintbrush. Finally, you’ll need a supply of clean water nearby too.
- The next task is measuring the ceiling or wall to calculate how much plaster is needed. Depending on the type of plaster your professional is using (and the manufacturer), this could vary. Be sure to check the instructions on the plaster bag.
- Following those same instructions, your plasterer will slowly fill the required measure of water in a large bucket and gradually add the plaster, stirring the mixture as they go. When all the water and plaster has been added, they’ll start to mix using an electric mixer or drill. The consistency they’re looking for is similar to that of double cream.
- Your pro will moisten the surface of their hawk and apply some plaster to it. They can then take the necessary amount of plaster from the hawk onto the float and apply it to the wall or ceiling. When plastering, they’ll hold the float at a slight angle to the wall and work towards themselves, aiming for a thickness of around 1–2 mm.
- The entire wall or ceiling needs to be covered in one hit, including all edges and extremities. The plaster lasts around 30 minutes before it goes off. At this stage, the plasterer will just be looking to make sure there are no large lumps.
- After around 10–15 minutes, they can do a touch test. If the plaster marks but doesn’t leave a fingerprint, it’s ready to be smoothed over with a clean float. This is when any lines or bumps can be removed.
- It’s then time to apply a second coat of plaster, following the same process that we’ve outlined above. As soon as the second coat is dry, it can be “closed in” – smoothing it over with a metal float. This process should be repeated another three or four times, leaving an interval of around 10–15 minutes between each pass.
- Finally, your plasterer will use a dry paint brush to sweep away any plaster from the edge of your wall or ceiling. The plaster will then need to be left to dry out fully for a few days before decorating.
What type of plaster to use for skimming
Pop down to your local DIY store or builders’ merchant and you’ll probably find a deluge of plaster products. The type of plaster you’ll need will depend on the surface you’re skimming over.
Here’s a brief guide to the types of plaster you can use for skimming:
- Multi-finish plaster. A versatile plaster that can be used to skim over undercoats, existing decorative surfaces and plasterboard.
- Board-finish plaster. Ideal for use on plasterboard, as well as other low grip surfaces.
- Durable or tough-finish plaster. This versatile product is tougher than standard plaster and engineered to withstand knocks or bumps.
- Finishing plaster. Designed to finish undercoat plasters and plasterboard, this product delivers a supremely smooth surface.
- PVA-less plaster. A plaster that will grip without having to prepare surfaces using PVA first.
The qualifications your tradesperson needs
Your plasterer won’t necessarily need any trade body accreditations or formal certifications. But you should expect them to hold some evidence of training – either a City & Guilds, NVQ or diploma qualification. This shows they’ll be versed in best practices and have the necessary knowledge to deliver a top-notch service.
Insurance your tradesperson needs
Check your tradesperson has public liability insurance. Chances are everything will be fine. But just in case anything goes awry when your skim plastering is taking place (think stained carpets or damage to your possessions), public liability insurance will cover you and your tradesperson.
Questions you should ask your tradesperson
- What type of plaster would they recommend using (and why)?
- Can they skim over the particular type of surface you want to plaster?
- Does their quote include labour and materials?
- How would they recommend preparing the new plaster for decoration?
I'm experienced handyman skilled painter & decorator , plaster inside ,external render outside ,key render, tiling, kitchen/bathroom floors general builder works
Landi did a great job at short notice and for a reasonable price. I will certainly be using him again for future jobs.
'%3e%3cpath%20fill-rule='evenodd'%20clip-rule='evenodd'%20d='M12.5%2020.392a1%201%200%2001-.54.888l-5.274%202.73a1%201%200%2001-1.435-1.109l1.494-6.588a1%201%200%2000-.306-.964l-4.723-4.254c-.65-.586-.287-1.666.585-1.74l6.105-.514a1%201%200%2000.846-.629L12.5%200v20.392z'%20fill='%23F7DB34'%20/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
We are a reliable and successful company and we provide the quality and the qualification of the work and product which we are doing for you .Our motto is, my customer my boss. We coming for a long journey experience working of 20 years working experience in Spain,Italy, United kingdom and Romania of landscaping industry and inside and outside house design of isolation,consolidation, any work of tiles or painting. We coming with the real quote of the work we try to be in competition with the construction quotations and to make our clients to make our publicity for work and quotations
So ,so pleased with what Alex & Sons have done with our garden , we can now sit in a beautiful garden , we highly recommend, they have truly worked magic and we a truly grateful. Well done
My name is Mariusz Olkowski and I am the owner Olek Builders ltd. We cover every element of the building process from design, , building work, through to finishing your project by fitting kitchens/bathrooms and overall decoration
Wehad the pleasure of hiring Olek and his team for a recent tiling project, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, their professionalism, attention to detail, and friendly demeanor stood out. We wholeheartedly recommend Olek for any tiling project. His workmanship, courtesy, and commitment to customer satisfaction are truly outstanding. Thank you for transforming our space into something remarkable!
Its quality time! With over 10 years experience, tens of finished jobs and tens of happy clients, I am a landscaper who can manage any job. Big or small, easy or complicated is never a problem for me. For any details don't hesitate to contact me.
Work that took place was amazing and recommend IA trader to anyone that needs work done.
Honest business build on trust&pride. Gas Safe and JIB Plumbing Heating and Mechanical Engineering Services. 12 months guarantee on all installations An all in one upfront price that offers excellent value for money.
Excellent work on my garage conversion project by Klodian and team! Brilliant finish and overall quality of work. Would definitely use them in future.
We have 15 years of experience within the industry. We offer a wide range of services: Laminate Flooring Floor Tiling Door / Window painting External wall painting Internal Painting & Decorating Wall murals / Paint effects Wall Tiling We work hard and clean and make sure that our clients are happy.
Alin is reliable, punctual, and honest. We agreed the price of the job and I did not have any surprise, and when we had to do something extra he was very reasonable with price. He and his team started on time, were very respectful, did a good job, and are very easy to work with. I would happily work with them again.
Dear Customers if you need professional people who will take care of your home, offices, retail property, hotel, restaurant, pub, leisure facilities, apartment blocks or refurbishment project? We always with satisfied clients, always on time, always to advise and help with clear and good prices. We're on the market for almost 12 years, learning new things, maintaining the highest quality standard and building a base of regular satisfied customers, If you need more information about us, we are ready to help and answer your questions.
We are a family run business with over 15 years in the building trade. From joiners, plumbers, electricians, painting/decorators, landscapers and plasterers we have it all. We take great pride in our work and customer care is priority.
Great service and very efficient, friendly and helpful - very happy with the work!
I have good prices and my prime trade is plastering
Serjan skimmed and plastered a difficult bedroom ceiling in my Victorian house, which I am renovating. I highly recommend serjan He responded to my request for a quote very quickly on a weekend, quoted the next day and then had completed the job all within a week. Serjan was highly professional and respectful whilst working (the whole family was home). This is not the first plastering I have had done, but I can see that he is highly skilled in plastering. A five star review is well-deserved.
About at AC kitchen &bathroom fitters LTD,our rich legacy of 20+ years of our commitment to excellence.based in ash vale Surrey GU12 5NG,we have honed our craft over the years delivering top- notch services that exceed expectations. Our services include: -Full- scale transportations : from complete house refurbishments to renovations and extensions,we redefine living space. Bathroom &kitchen expertise:we specialise in the installation of new and refurbished bathroom/kitchen/cloakroom/en suite shower/wet room. -Efficient plumbing solutions:our services encompass radiator and towel rail installations,shower pumps and extractor fan setup. -Quality fixtures:we supply high quality bathroom fittings en-suite,showers and wet room essentials. -Tailored kitchen design: team excels in designing,supplying and fitting bespoke kitchens . -Finishing touches:we cover all aspects of your project, tilling,aqua panels,plastering,decorating and carpentry (solid wood and laminate flooring) Why choose us? 1-References:our satisfied clients serve as our best reference 2-One-stop solution:we seamlessly coordinate multiple trades,simplifying the process for our clients. 3-Fully insured:rest easy knowing we are fully insured and our experienced team ensures a job well done. 4-Free estimates:we provide no-obligation,transparent estimates. 5-Personalised service: our friendly approach keeps you informed at every project stage.
We are a small family run property maintenance company offering a personal service at competitive rates. Our clientèle range from private home owners to established letting/estate agents. Providing free, no obligation estimates and advice. So please call.
I could cry. Don't pick him, I coukd have done this better myself. This man caused a weeks worth of mess for us to put right. He got paint on windows, tiles in kitchen and all surfaces in kitchen. Terrible decorater... We wasted a week and our money. He does like a tea break though, so if you do have him. Keep a close eye on him.
Hello everybody, with more than 15 years of experience we provide rendering,plastering and tape and jointing services. We are highly skilled and fully committed to completing every job to the very highest standards.
Professional service and reliable. Finish was to a high standard
Parsons Green Plastering
Plaster Skimming
Hi my name is Aaron I’ve been a plasterer for 13 years I specialise in internal and external plaster work including sand cement and silicon render, I offer damp proofing services to. We pride our selves on produce excellent work and work to very high standards with cleanliness being of the up most importance
Total plastering offer a high standard of plastering work from start to finish . Covering all aspects from over skim on existing walls, artex, drylining ,browning and rendering . We strive on high standard and tideness.
His price was Raisable and cleaned up after him self and a very nice chap I would Recommed him to any one
Hello , I am Michael . Fully qualified time served plasterer of 10+ years, customer satisfaction a top priority. Work is always carried out to a high standard with a friendly service, many trade and domestic work references, competitive quotes provided
Michael has done a superb job at our property to a very high standard plastering and coving a very reasonable price clean and tidy,punctual and did exactly as we asked
Excellent time served Plasterer with 16 years building experience all over the UK .No job to small and always to highest standard possible. Experienced with:Skimming,Boarding,Damp proofing, wall removal (Steel work), extensions, Rendering, roofing, tiling, bathroom fitting Coving,brickwork , joinery. All work is guaranteed . Give us a call for your free quotation
I am extremely happy with the excellent work completed by Shaun and his team. The job was extremely challenging and required serious structural support work, building a new roof, plastering, fixing brick work and dismantling and then re-fitting a kitchen. The lads always arrived on time, did exactly what they said they would do and took only 4 days from start to finish to carry out all of the work. The lads were really friendly and all rubbish was taken away. I couldnt recommend them highly enough
My services include: -Small to complete repairs -Plastering for new builds and loft conversions -Artex removal -Re-skimming old walls and ceilings -Stud walls -Dot and dabbing -Smooth rendering -Dry lining.
Promp, efficient and friendly
Hi, I am Stefan, and I have three decades of experience as joiner, specialising in wood flooring and tiling, doors, wardrobes, decking, bathroom fitting and refurbishment.
NO UPFRONT PAYMENTS 0R DEPOSITS REQUIRED FREE QUOTATIONS. Luxury Spaces specializes in joinery, plumbing, and electrical services,l honed over 22 years to meet exceptionally high standards. Our commitment is to transparency and integrity in every project, collaborating closely with clients to achieve optimal results within their budget. We offer no-fuss financing options—simply reach out for guidance. Services' provided are as follows, Kitchen, bathrooms, bespoke staircase's, extensions, windows. As a family-operated business spanning generations, we take pride in passing down expertise from father to sons. Our dedication to excellence extends from military training—an artillery Gunner for five years—to every task we undertake. With honesty at our core, we consistently deliver value for money. Our clientele, diverse yet united in their desire for quality workmanship, inspire us to exceed expectations. To honor service professionals, Blue Light cardholders, and pensioners, we extend special discounts as a token of appreciation. For further details, visit our website: lux-spaces co,uk,
Absolutely brilliant job. Can’t recommend them enough. Gave me a fair quote then when they pulled the shower out there was a lot of water damage but only charged a little bit more and not only that they fixed a lot of little things in my flat at no extra cost. They were quick and clean. Tidied everything up and left the place spotless. I will definitely use them again in a heartbeat.
JDS Construction is a specialist in domestic interior renovations across the UK. We focus on high-quality home improvement projects, including kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, flooring, painting, plastering, and full room makeovers. Our team is known for attention to detail, clean workmanship, and customer-friendly service. Whether it’s a small update or a full renovation, JDS transforms living spaces with care and professionalism.
I’m absolutely delighted with the work Cristian did in putting up my summerhouse. From start to finish, he was professional, efficient, and highly skilled. The attention to detail was excellent, and he made sure everything was sturdy and well-finished. He also kept the work area tidy and completed the job on time. I would highly recommend Cristian to anyone looking for reliable and quality craftsmanship. Thank you for a job well done!
'%20rx='20'%20/%3e%3cg%20fill='%23FFF'%3e%3cpath%20d='M29.376%2016.914c-.555%200-1.006.454-1.006%201.013v37.416c0%20.578.472%201.014%201.097%201.014h34.109a1.007%201.007%200%200%200%20.972-.83%201.012%201.012%200%200%200-.161-.76l-6.446-9.416c-.375-.548-.567-1.085-.586-1.642-.034-.977.516-1.952%201.402-2.483%204.8-2.878%205.808-7.575%205.808-11.009%200-7.335-5.925-13.303-13.207-13.303H29.376ZM63.594%2059.75H29.467c-2.505%200-4.467-1.936-4.467-4.408V17.927c0-2.43%201.963-4.408%204.376-4.408h21.982c9.14%200%2016.577%207.49%2016.577%2016.698%200%205.879-2.46%2010.687-6.944%2013.607l6.17%209.017c1.37%202.002.868%204.752-1.12%206.132a4.336%204.336%200%200%201-2.44.778h-.007Z'%20/%3e%3cpath%20d='M38.767%2027.797c0-.749.603-1.357%201.347-1.357h6.427c3.979%200%206.426%201.72%206.426%205.099v.123c0%203.132-2.325%205.098-6.365%205.098h-3.848l-3.985%203.998V36.76h-.002v-8.963'%20/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23FFF'%20fill-rule='nonzero'%20d='M18.176%2069.2h2.156v3.878h3.976V69.2h2.156V79h-2.156v-3.934h-3.976V79h-2.156v-9.8Zm16.428%207.98c.43%200%20.826-.08%201.19-.238a2.72%202.72%200%200%200%20.931-.658c.257-.28.457-.604.602-.973a3.21%203.21%200%200%200%20.217-1.183V74.1c0-.42-.072-.817-.217-1.19-.145-.373-.35-.7-.616-.98a2.96%202.96%200%200%200-.945-.665%202.873%202.873%200%200%200-1.19-.245c-.439%200-.838.08-1.197.238-.36.159-.667.378-.924.658s-.457.604-.602.973a3.21%203.21%200%200%200-.217%201.183v.028c0%20.42.072.817.217%201.19a2.959%202.959%200%200%200%201.554%201.645c.36.163.758.245%201.197.245Zm-.028%201.988a5.343%205.343%200%200%201-2.086-.399%205.187%205.187%200%200%201-1.645-1.078%204.823%204.823%200%200%201-1.078-1.596%205.029%205.029%200%200%201-.385-1.967V74.1c0-.7.13-1.356.392-1.967a5.075%205.075%200%200%201%201.085-1.61%205.05%205.05%200%200%201%201.652-1.092%205.395%205.395%200%200%201%202.093-.399c.756%200%201.451.133%202.086.399a5.187%205.187%200%200%201%201.645%201.078c.462.453.821.985%201.078%201.596.257.611.385%201.267.385%201.967v.028c0%20.7-.13%201.356-.392%201.967a5.075%205.075%200%200%201-1.085%201.61%205.05%205.05%200%200%201-1.652%201.092%205.395%205.395%200%200%201-2.093.399Zm8.14-9.968h2.324l2.576%204.144%202.576-4.144h2.324V79h-2.142v-6.398l-2.758%204.186h-.056l-2.73-4.144V79h-2.114v-9.8Zm13.152%200h7.392v1.918h-5.25v1.988h4.62v1.918h-4.62v2.058h5.32V79h-7.462v-9.8Zm13.866%209.94a6.49%206.49%200%200%201-2.198-.385%205.817%205.817%200%200%201-1.96-1.183l1.274-1.526c.448.364.908.653%201.379.868.471.215.987.322%201.547.322.448%200%20.796-.082%201.043-.245a.771.771%200%200%200%20.371-.679v-.028a.85.85%200%200%200-.077-.371.778.778%200%200%200-.294-.301%203.079%203.079%200%200%200-.602-.28c-.257-.093-.59-.191-1.001-.294a12.201%2012.201%200%200%201-1.344-.406%203.787%203.787%200%200%201-1.022-.553%202.237%202.237%200%200%201-.651-.819c-.154-.327-.231-.733-.231-1.218v-.028c0-.448.084-.852.252-1.211.168-.36.404-.67.707-.931a3.183%203.183%200%200%201%201.085-.602c.42-.14.882-.21%201.386-.21a5.86%205.86%200%200%201%201.981.322%205.743%205.743%200%200%201%201.659.924l-1.12%201.624a7.1%207.1%200%200%200-1.288-.707%203.292%203.292%200%200%200-1.26-.259c-.42%200-.735.082-.945.245-.21.163-.315.366-.315.609v.028c0%20.159.03.296.091.413.06.117.17.222.329.315s.376.182.651.266c.275.084.623.182%201.043.294.495.13.936.278%201.323.441.387.163.714.36.98.588.266.229.467.497.602.805.135.308.203.677.203%201.106v.028c0%20.485-.089.917-.266%201.295a2.66%202.66%200%200%201-.742.952%203.353%203.353%200%200%201-1.134.588%204.924%204.924%200%200%201-1.456.203Z'%20/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Get our app for homeowners
- Send messages and get notifications from tradespeople
- Add photos to get more accurate quotes
- View tradespeople's profiles