Professional Skimming in Old Town

Smooth finishes that last start with understanding the surface beneath. Proper skimming throughout Old Town — walls assessed, prepared correctly, coated evenly, finished while timing allows.

After some skimming work?

The multi-quote model treats skimming like a commodity when it’s actually craftsmanship. Price comparison ignores skill differences that show up in the finish. Direct contact with a quality-focused plasterer gets better walls, not just cheaper quotes.

There’s a better way to find a plasterer.

Our approach is straightforward: one plasterer covers skimming work across Old Town. Direct contact means honest pricing — you speak to the person who’ll attend your home and deliver quality finishes without unnecessary complications.

Professional plastering encompasses various skimming scenarios. Patch repairs blending into existing surfaces need precision, full re-skims need consistency, and each job benefits from understanding the surface conditions before work begins.

Have a look below at what’s included in our skimming service. If it covers your situation, get in touch and we’ll respond fast. If not, that’s absolutely fine — thanks for your time.

Our Skimming Services in Old Town

Wall Skimming

Expert wall re-skimming breathes new life into tired rooms by creating fresh, smooth surfaces ready for decoration. Whether walls show years of wear, previous repair attempts, or outdated textures, professional skim coats restore them to pristine condition. Skilled tradesmen ensure even coverage, seamless edges, and durable finishes — walls that stay smooth and make future decorating simple.

Ceiling Skimming

Re-skimming ceilings delivers smooth surfaces that transform room aesthetics completely. Textured patterns, visible repairs, and water staining disappear beneath flat skim coats that reflect light evenly. Professional ceiling work demands specific skills — working overhead, managing materials, finishing seamlessly — delivering results that modernise homes and simplify decorating.

Patch & Repair Skimming

Seamless plaster repairs require skilled blending technique that makes patches invisible on finished walls. Damage from removed fittings, accidental impacts, and minor cracking gets properly prepared and skim coated to match existing surfaces. Professional plasterers understand feathering, texture matching, and finishing — delivering repairs that disappear completely under paint or wallpaper.

New Build Finishing

Professional plasterboard plastering finishes new spaces to high standards ready for decoration. Loft conversions, extensions, and new builds need expert joint treatment and skim coating to create smooth, consistent surfaces. Skilled plasterers tape invisibly, apply even coverage, and finish professionally — walls that look right from day one and stay that way.

Full Room Skimming

Full re-skim plastering transforms tired rooms into fresh, modern spaces with consistent finishes throughout. Walls and ceilings receive complete coverage — no patching, no texture mismatches, just smooth surfaces everywhere. Skilled plasterers work room by room, delivering unified results that make decorating straightforward and rooms feel completely renewed.

Why choose us for skimming in Old Town?

Plastering is a race against drying time — preparation decides whether you win or lose. Here’s our approach to skimming work throughout Old Town.

Years of Hands On Experience

Plastering from St Pauls Church to Edinburgh Old Town Sports Centre and across to Edinburgh Old Town Terrace for years teaches you what Old Town walls are actually made of. The Victorian terraces have lime underneath. The inter-war semis have hard pink gypsum. The estates have lightweight board. Each needs handling differently.

Skimming Service Expertise

Walls after wallpaper stripping that stripped plaster too, ceilings with nicotine staining beneath, patches where old and new plaster meet — problem surfaces need solving before skimming starts. We find the problems first throughout Old Town.

We Understand the Local Housing Stock

Most Old Town properties are victorian villas or edwardian terraces with 2.4m to 2.7m (7.9ft – 8.9ft) ceilings. Working exclusively on this housing type builds specific knowledge — where walls tend to blow, how surfaces typically behave, what preparation delivers lasting results.

Our skimming process in Old Town

Direct to the plasterer, no filtering

Your call reaches the plasterer who’ll actually skim your walls — not an office worker reading from a script. You discuss surface conditions, room layouts, and realistic timelines with someone who’s spent years reading walls and knows what questions matter.

Questions asked, timing confirmed

They’ll ask about your walls — what’s on them, what state they’re in, how many rooms need work. This shapes the assessment visit, which gets arranged for a mutually convenient time to inspect surfaces thoroughly before providing detailed costs.

What they check, how long

On-site evaluation means hands-on wall assessment — tapping surfaces, testing adhesion, checking for damp, noting inconsistencies. The plasterer explains findings and preparation requirements. Pricing reflects genuine surface condition, not optimistic assumptions.

Repair process, cleanup, follow-up

Work follows proper sequence — preparation, first coat, second coat, finishing. Dust sheets protect flooring and furniture throughout. Comprehensive cleanup follows completion. You’ll understand drying stages, mist coat requirements, and realistic timelines for decorating.

Professional skimming services - perfect flat finishes ready to decorate.

Got a quick question?

The common skimming questions — how surfaces get prepared, how long jobs take, when painting can happen. Straight answers, kept simple.

How long does skimming a room take?

Completion time varies with surface condition rather than room size alone. Average bedroom on decent plaster takes a day. Walls requiring stripping, bonding, or substantial prep work take longer. Ceiling inclusion adds time. Assessment provides realistic scheduling for your particular surfaces.

Do my walls need stripping back before skimming?

Stripping depends on what’s there already. Firmly attached plaster in good condition skims over directly. Hollow-sounding blown areas need removing. Thick multi-coat buildup sometimes requires stripping back. Wall assessment reveals which approach your surfaces need.

What's the difference between plastering and skimming?

Skimming means applying thin finish coats — usually 2-3mm — over existing prepared surfaces. Plastering includes heavier work like base coats on brick, render application, or building thickness. Home re-skimming typically involves thin finish coats over existing plaster, not full plastering systems.

Can you skim over painted walls?

Paint type and condition determine approach. Light matt emulsion on sound plaster can take skim after keying. Heavy paint buildup, gloss finishes, or silk coatings cause bonding problems — typically requiring stripping or bonding coat application. Assessment identifies what preparation your painted surfaces need.

How long before I can paint after skimming?

New plaster requires proper drying — typically 2-4 days minimum, longer for full curing. Mist coat first using watered-down emulsion to seal surfaces correctly. Decorating too early risks adhesion failures, peeling, and blistering.

Ready to refresh your property?

Fill out the form or call now to speak directly to the plasterer covering your area. No call centres, no delays – just clear answers and fast action.

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Do you have a local plasterer near me?

We cover skimming work across the complete Old Town region. Tradesmen familiar with local properties — building eras, typical conditions, surface behaviours — delivering finishes that suit these walls.

We cover your area