Plastering in Woking

When a room needs replastering rather than a skim

A skim coat is the right answer when the existing plaster is sound but tired. When plaster is hollow, crumbling, badly cracked or coming away from the brickwork, a skim on top won't last — the backing needs to be dealt with first.

We'll tap and check the walls before quoting so you know which approach your room actually needs, and why.

• Plaster that sounds hollow when tapped
• Large cracks, bulges or areas that have come away
• Walls stripped back during rewiring, damp work or renovation
• New extensions, conversions and stud walls

How we plaster a room

Floors, stairs and fittings are covered first, and we keep dust and mess contained to the area we're working in. Loose material is removed, beads are fitted to corners and edges for clean, straight lines, and the surface is prepared with the right bonding or backing coat for what's underneath.

The finish coat is then applied and trowelled up to a smooth, consistent surface. Before we leave, the room is cleared and swept so it's ready for drying and decorating.

Extensions, conversions and renovation work

A lot of our work follows other trades — new extensions, knocked-through rooms, loft and garage conversions, or houses that have been rewired. We're used to working around a build programme and leaving walls and ceilings ready for the decorator or kitchen fitter.

Getting your walls ready for decorating

New plaster needs to dry fully before painting — typically a few days to a couple of weeks depending on thickness, the time of year and ventilation. You'll see it change from dark to an even pale pink as it dries. The first coat should be a mist coat (watered-down emulsion) so the paint bonds properly.

Areas covered for plastering

Based in Woking, we cover Knaphill, Horsell, St John's, Goldsworth Park, Mayford, Old Woking, West Byfleet and nearby villages. See the full list on our areas we cover page.