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 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.
Experience in: Tiling Plastering Painting Laminating Bathrooms Roofing Block paving Brick work Garage conversion Extension Mould Treatment END MORE
'%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}
Over 30 years experience in all joinery, paintings and building.
Professional in his approach. Worked well. Very pleased with the work he did. I would recommend him to others.
over 10 years experience ALL TRADES
I hired Tomasz to renovation my shower room. He removed old fittings, ran new plumbing and tiled the wall. However, he scratched my new unit, put paint on my bare wood door frame, put the shower up squint, fitted tile trim with silicon, left holes in the wall, built a pipe box too big, covered it with ugly correx, lost screws to fasten the towel rail to the wall so it's loose, and left it leaking, and installed tray in wrong place in shower. I had to undo much of his work and finish the job myself. :-(
Hi, I do high quality Carpantery work. -Fitting doors -kitchen fitting -wooden floor installation as well as sanding and varnashing -Fitting sash windows
Qamil He constructed our loft conversion, which we more than happy with. He paid attention to detail and followed the drawings by the architect precisely.He was always willing to discuss any issues and communicate his next plans for the ongoing work. As he was hardworking and punctual the work was done to programme. Would highly recommend him and all the sub-contractors that he has used. Tracey and Andy Sparks
We provide guarantee quality job with amazing pricing for more then 7 years, Hangloss providing different type of design paintings for same pricing too
Holloway Plastering Services LTD
Plaster Skimming
Here at Holloway Plastering service we specialise in all aspects of plastering, rendering and damp proofing. We aim to give our customers a top-quality service for a fair price, whether it be a domestic or commercial project. We also specialise in silicone rendering We are a family run company that was established in 2001 and have 30 years of experience in the trade and consider every job to be of equal importance, whether it be a small patching job or a full house refurbishment our customers can be sure to receive a top-quality service. We provide all of our services nationwide and we are recommended throughout the country, we are also approved by British gypsum and the guild of master craftsman you can be assured of a top quality job. All work guaranteed, fully qualified, Fully insured, We are happy to offer customer references, Free no obligation quotes and estimates. (Insurance quotes charged, please contact us for details) Free advice, Competitive prices, no hidden costs, Provide all services nationwide So don't hesitate give us a call today for your free quote.
When it comes to finding reliable and experience team in cumbria, look no further with a number of years in these trades At MPM, we offer a comprehensive range of services to cater to all your roofing needs & maintenance. From new roof installations to repairs and maintenance, we've got you covered. Our flat roofing solutions are second to none, and our meticulous attention to detail ensures exceptional quality and long-lasting results. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to using only the highest quality materials. We believe that using superior materials is crucial in delivering the best possible results for our valued clients. Our maintenance-gutter and fascia installations not only enhance the appearance of your property but also minimise the need for regular upkeep.
First class job. Arrived on time, job completed to a high standard. Friendly and polite throughout. Left site neat and tidy. Highly recommended.
Over the years of being in the construction industry we pride ourselves in effectively carrying complete house renovations ,new kitchens and bathroom installations ,plastering, tilling, plumbing, painting and electrical works, consumer units,complete rewire, inspection and testing,and we Part P Registered under the NICEIC brand.
Sylvester arranged and managed the refitting of my kitchen - plastering, plumbing, cabinets, tiling. Even Replacing joists and floorboards (I had a wood worm problem). We could not be happier with the result and Sylvesters accommodating attitude towards much unexpected/unplanned work all carried out within quoted timeframe. Could not rate him higher! As an electrician he refitted a few of our lights and provided a valid certificate for all work done. Very professional and tidy.
Small team of ALL TEADES with more than 20 years experience in decoration we provide following services Painting and decorating, wallpaper hanging, plastering, tilling, laminated floors, doors replacement, all trades undertaken small and big projects everything you need we can realise welcome to have a look on my profile ????
We have worked with many contractors over the years. Finding Julian from the Colouring Team, was so fortunate for us! What a pleasure working with such a helpful, professional and hard working team. Julian absolutely went over and above, in assisting with the project of the refurb of our flat. We would recommend The Colouring Team without reservation. Thank you Julian and Team.
Hi here at Apex carpentry & building services we strive to ensure our customers are always greatly happy with the work and the level of service, we always punctual and are always competitive on price. we undertake most work in and out of your home, we are skilled in carpentry, decorating services, tiling and garden services (decking/fencing & patio slabbing). As and individual I have been in the construction industry for 10 years, 7 of these I was working for a company building high end park homes/lodges. Now I intend on using my skills to build my own clients thanks for reading hope to hear from you soon ??
We needed a terrazzo floor removed, new tiles installed and a whole new kitchen+appliances installed. Mike and his team worked for just over two weeks start to finish. They showed up everyday and worked late to get the job done, any minor issues were sorted quickly. All the work was carried out to a high standard, the boys cleaned up everyday and gave us lots of helpful advice and suggestions throughout. We are extremely impressed with the whole team and we would definitely recommed these guys!
BUILDING CONTRACTOR Garage Conversions / Property Refurbishments / Extensions / Electrical / Plumbing and Heating Service. 35 Years of Satisfied customers Quality service and value. Wall & Floor Tiling Plastering Brick and block work Damp Proofing Garden Walls Pointing Garage Conversions Full Property Refurbishment Our Passion and Commitment We pride ourselves on exceptional service and outstanding results in every thing we do. Before we start we’ll meet with you and discuss your options and budget, meaning, we’ll know what will work best for you to deliver a outstanding bespoke project to fit your requirement . Please call us for free friendly advise.
Neale is lovely to deal with whilst being professional, punctual and skilled. I didn't believe builders like this still existed. He turned up on time, every single time he said he would. He produced a detailed written quote and then didn't increase it throughout the job. He and his side-kick, John, worked non-stop overcoming every issue our wonky victorian terraced could throw at them. I'm so relieved and impressed. He's now my go-to builder.
Eagle eye building LTD in an established, family run business with a wealth of knowledge & experience. Taking pride & care of all of your building needs. We cover all aspects of building and no job is too big or small. For more information, or a free quote, please feel free to get in touch with us.
Great customer care and excellent standard of work. Delighted, thanks
Hello there! We are a local plumbing business called Plumbing 365 and we specialise in bathroom and kitchen installations and maintenance. We also deal with other aspects of plumbing from heating to appliance installations as well as general plumbing works.
Very reliable and friendly, kept us informed about timings and progress, work was very good and completed within the time frame, price was reasonable too. We would certainly recommend Alex to anyone who is interested.
We are a family run business with over 30 years experience in the rendering and plastering business. We specialise in domestic and commercial projects, using high quality materials and modern techniques to ensure a long lasting professional finish. Modern renders provide a smart, weatherproof and breathable finish to external walls. Installing External wall Insulation (EWI), prior to rendering can improve the energy efficiency of your home. Plastering services include full wet plaster or dry-lining installation to ensure a flawless finish. We work to the highest standards, leaving a clean and tidy site, and all work is fully guaranteed. We only use top quality approved products such as K-Rend, Fassa, Webber and Parex.
They were very helpful and informative. Completed the job in a timely manner. We’re a very nice and considerate team, a pleasure to have working here. Thank you.
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.
Hi my name is Jordan John Phillip and my company is Jordan JP Plastering. I am a clean, effective and professional plasterer. I take pride in my plastering ability and I always do my best to keep my customers happy with my work.
Jordan is a brilliant 'find'. Responsive, professional, tidy and high quality work, and a very fair price. Couldn't really ask for anything more.... A++++
I do not usually leave reviews but to protect other customers this is a review worth leaving. Please do not use this builder, he was incompetent and did not manage to complete any of the works to a suitable standard. On top of this he fitted a new tap on my bath tub but did not connect the waste pipe and as a result caused a leak which effected the apartment below. Tiling and shower door were not fitted correctly and these were straight forward jobs and have to be redone.
AK Construction SW LTD is an experienced, growing building company based in Taunton, Somerset. We cover all aspects of the building, maintenance and decoration trades and we love to leave a finished job that we can be proud of. We're well known for the quality of our work and attention to detail. As such, our services are sought after from small jobs to larger projects like extensions and refurbishments. We also specialise in bespoke English Larch decking and fencing as well as outdoor offices and garden rooms to transform your outdoor areas and add long lasting kerb appeal to your home. We're available to undertake a diverse range of jobs big and small, from skilled and detailed refurbishments, bathroom remodelling, kitchen installations, carpentry, decorating, plumbing, general building and electrical repairs, to complete renovations, improvements and property extensions. Our small and friendly team of skilled tradesmen take pride in our work and strive to finish each job to a high standard and would love to come and quote for your needs. All work fully insured.
Fred and his team did a brilliant job replacing my bathroom floor and shower. Every effort was made to ensure job was completed to the highest standard and we can’t be happier with the finished product. Would highly recommend AK constructions SW for your building needs.
We are a company that specializes in external rendering throughout the uk.We cover every external finish from traditional sand and cement render to through coloured polymer renders. We aim to leave all our customers 100% happy.we also cover internal plastering and plasterboarding mainly in the winter months.
Do not use this person , i had the worse experience in my life with this contractor stay well away from johnny , he leaves the job incomplete and when you try ringing him he ignores your calls and messages and runs off with your money .his workmanship is very poor i've seen. Do Not Use . .
'%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