Walls that take paint properly start with proper skimming. Flat, smooth finishes across Southside — preparation done right, coats applied evenly, surfaces ready for whatever decoration you’re planning.
When you need walls skimmed, the last thing you want is five different plasterers calling with wildly different prices and availability. Checkatrade floods you with options but leaves you no clearer on who’s actually good. You need one reliable person — not a selection headache.
Quality plastering needs a different approach.
We keep things simple: one skilled tradesman covers Southside. Contact them directly when you need skimming, and they’ll assess your walls without the delays of competitive quoting or platform coordination.
Quality wall skimming eliminates surface problems that make decorating difficult. Cracks, bumps, patches, and uneven textures disappear beneath professionally applied skim coats, leaving smooth walls that take any finish beautifully. Experienced plasterers work methodically — proper prep, consistent application, clean finishing — delivering surfaces that transform how your rooms look and feel.
Check out the information below to see if we cover what you need. If it matches your situation, get in contact. If not, no worries at all — thanks for having a look.
Re-skimming walls creates the perfect foundation for any decorative finish you’re planning. Old plaster, damaged surfaces, and uneven textures disappear beneath smooth skim coats applied by experienced local plasterers. Proper technique ensures consistent coverage, clean edges, and durable results — walls transformed from rough to ready, making your decorating project straightforward.
Ceiling skim plastering transforms overhead surfaces from dated eyesores into clean, modern finishes. Whether covering old Artex, repairing water damage, or refreshing tired plasterwork, professional skimming delivers flat ceilings throughout your home. Experienced tradesmen handle the demands of overhead work — proper preparation, consistent application, smooth finishing — for results that last.
Professional plaster patching restores damaged sections to original condition without disrupting entire walls. Holes, cracks, and impact damage get filled, prepared, and skim coated to match surrounding surfaces exactly. Skilled blending and feathering ensure repairs become invisible — cost-effective fixes that deliver seamless results ready for any decorative finish.
Finishing new plasterboard creates the smooth walls your extension or conversion deserves. Professional taping hides joints invisibly, while quality skim coats deliver decoration-ready surfaces throughout. Skilled plasterers work systematically — proper preparation, consistent application, clean finishing — transforming raw boards into flawless living spaces ready for decorating.
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.
Cheap skimming costs more when you’re repainting rippled walls a year later. Here’s the detail on our quality-first approach across Southside.
From Canongate Kirk to Palace of Holyroodhouse and out to Royal Mile, we’ve worked on Southside’s full housing range. That teaches you what preparation to expect before arriving — which areas have solid walls, where to expect blown plaster, what the original builders used.
Full house re-skims with ten different surface types, single ceiling patches that must match perfectly, new extension boards needing seamless connection to existing walls — every job across Southside brings unique preparation requirements.
Southside properties feature mainly historic tenements and georgian townhouses, ceilings around 2.8m to 3.5m (9.2ft – 11.5ft). That housing consistency means we’ve solved the same problems repeatedly — knowledge that transfers directly to your walls.
Your enquiry connects directly to the plasterer serving Southside — someone who can discuss surface conditions knowledgeably and explain why some walls need more preparation than others. Real trade conversation from the first contact.
Initial chat covers what you’re dealing with — wall condition, finish requirements, known issues. The plasterer uses this to understand scope, then arranges assessment at convenient timing for thorough surface evaluation and detailed pricing.
Site visits mean proper surface evaluation — checking adhesion, testing suction, spotting failures, assessing previous work. Preparation requirements get explained clearly. Pricing based on what your walls genuinely need, not generic assumptions.
Skimming follows correct sequence — preparation, coating, finishing. Work areas receive adequate protection throughout. Thorough tidying happens after completion. Clear guidance addresses drying stages, mist coat timing, and realistic decoration readiness timelines.
The common skimming questions — how surfaces get prepared, how long jobs take, when painting can happen. Straight answers, kept simple.
A typical room takes around a day on cooperative surfaces. Wall condition affects timing more than room size — extensive preparation needs stretch schedules significantly. Ceilings add time. Assessment provides realistic duration based on your specific surface condition.
Not always — it depends on existing surface condition. Sound plaster that’s firmly attached just needs keying and coating. Blown plaster that sounds hollow when tapped needs removing. Multiple previous coats building thickness sometimes require stripping. Assessment determines what your specific walls need — some skim straight over, others need work first.
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.
It varies with paint condition. Thin matt emulsion over sound plaster takes skim after proper keying. Heavy coatings, gloss finishes, or silk paint cause bonding problems — usually needing stripping or adhesion treatment. Assessment reveals what preparation your walls require.
New plaster needs drying time before paint. Surface usually appears dry within 2-4 days, but complete curing takes 2-3 weeks depending on thickness and ventilation. Mist coat with watered-down emulsion before proper painting — rushing risks adhesion failures.
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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We operate across the whole of Southside. Professional skimming backed by genuine knowledge of local housing construction, typical wall conditions, and effective preparation approaches.
