Flat, smooth, ready to decorate — that’s what proper skimming delivers. Quality finishes across The Strand from plasterers who understand surfaces and take preparation seriously.
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.
Our skimming service cuts out the noise.
One plasterer covers skimming work across The Strand. You speak to them directly, they assess your walls, and they complete the job. No platform delays, no multiple callbacks — just straightforward professional service.
Skimming requirements vary between properties. Victorian solid walls behave differently than modern plasterboard, and each surface type needs appropriate preparation and application — recognising these differences ensures professional finishes throughout.
Read what we do below and work out if it fits your project. If it sounds right, call or send a message. If it’s not quite the service you need, no hard feelings.
Wall skimming services cover everything from single feature walls to complete room transformations. Damaged plaster, rough textures, and uneven surfaces all respond to professional re-skimming that creates smooth, consistent finishes. Experienced plasterers match existing textures where needed, blend repairs invisibly, and deliver walls that make decorating straightforward and results impressive.
Smooth ceiling finishes require specialist skimming skills that experienced plasterers develop over years of overhead work. Gravity works against ceiling plastering, making technique crucial for consistent, lasting results. Professional skim coats transform textured, damaged, or outdated ceilings into flat surfaces that reflect light evenly — rooms feel brighter, bigger, and more modern.
Repair skimming handles localised wall damage efficiently without requiring full room re-plastering. Holes from shelving, cracks from movement, and damage from removed tiles all respond to professional patching that blends seamlessly. Skilled tradesmen prepare surfaces properly, apply skim coats that match, and finish so repairs become invisible — targeted fixes that save time and money.
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 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.
Flat ceilings show bad walls. Flat walls show bad ceilings. Here’s why we finish both to the same standard throughout The Strand.
Properties around Covent Garden Market were mostly built pre-war — lime plaster, lath ceilings, solid walls. Near Royal Opera House the fifties estates dominate. Toward Seven Dials it’s newer construction. Each era across The Strand needs different preparation approaches.
Extension walls joining original walls, old ceilings meeting new plasterboard, repairs that must disappear into existing finishes — transitions need careful handling. Seamless results across The Strand come from managing where different surfaces meet.
Most The Strand properties are georgian buildings or converted flats with 2.9m to 3.5m (9.5ft – 11.5ft) ceilings. Working exclusively on this housing type builds specific knowledge — where walls tend to blow, how surfaces typically behave, what preparation delivers lasting results.
Calls and forms go straight to your area’s tradesman — no filtering through people who’ve never held a trowel. You get honest conversation about wall types, preparation needs, and what quality skimming actually requires.
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.
On-site evaluation includes systematic checking — surface soundness, absorption consistency, damp presence, repair history. The plasterer explains what preparation involves and why. Quotes based on actual conditions, not hopeful assumptions about hidden problems.
Work happens methodically — proper preparation, controlled application, careful finishing while the plaster’s still workable. Dust sheets protect your belongings, and complete cleanup follows. You’ll know exact drying times, when emulsion misting should happen, and how soon proper decoration can start.
Walls and plastering raise plenty of questions — how long it takes, what preparation involves, when you can paint. Here’s the straight answers to what most people ask about skimming.
A typical room with reasonable walls takes around a day to complete. Surface condition affects timing more than room size — walls needing stripping, bonding, or extensive prep work add time. Ceiling skimming alongside walls adds half a day typically. Assessment provides accurate scheduling for your specific surfaces.
Surface condition governs preparation requirements. Well-bonded existing plaster takes skim coats directly. Blown sections need removal. Thick previous coats sometimes require stripping. Assessment identifies what your walls actually need rather than assuming worst-case scenarios.
Skim finishing creates smooth walls using thin coats — 2-3mm typically — over existing surfaces. Plastering encompasses heavier applications: base coats on masonry, render work, depth building. Most domestic re-finishing involves skimming existing plaster rather than full replastering.
Some painted walls skim over, others need work first. Light matt emulsion on sound plaster takes skim after keying. Thick paint, gloss finishes, or silk coatings create adhesion problems — often needing removal or bonding preparation. Assessment determines approach.
Standard skimming needs 2-4 days surface drying in well-ventilated rooms, though complete cure takes weeks. Mist coat application first — diluted matt emulsion sealing porous new plaster. Then proper decoration. Rushing causes paint problems.
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 The Strand. Professional skimming backed by genuine knowledge of local housing construction, typical wall conditions, and effective preparation approaches.
