Plasterer in Prestwick: How Your Plastering Job Works

Step 1

Step 1: Photos, a Visit and a Free Written Quote

Most enquiries begin with a few pictures. Send photos of the walls or ceilings by WhatsApp and we can usually say straight away what sort of work is involved. We then visit to measure up and look closely at the plaster, tapping walls to find hollow areas and checking ceilings for movement. You receive a free written quote listing each area, the method we propose and what preparation is included, so you can compare it properly and decide in your own time.

Step 2

Step 2: Checks Before Any Plaster Is Touched

Some problems have to be sorted before plastering starts. Textured coatings such as artex are tested for asbestos before anything is removed, and we explain the result and the options. If a wall is damp, the source of the moisture is fixed first, because new plaster on a wet wall will fail. Where builders, electricians or joiners are still on site, we arrange our start so we follow the other trades rather than working around them.

Step 3

Step 3: Protecting and Preparing the Room

On the first morning, floors, furniture and doorways are sheeted. Loose texture, blown plaster and crumbling edges are cut back to a sound base, and surfaces are cleaned and primed so the new coat bonds well. For high walls and stairwells we bring access equipment. In shops and offices we agree working times in advance to reduce disruption to your business.

Step 4

Step 4: Choosing the Right Method

No single technique suits every wall. The choice depends on what we find once the surface is prepared:

• Patch repair for isolated holes, cracks or damaged corners.
• Skim coat where the background is sound but the face is marked or uneven.
• Full replastering (float and set) where old plaster has failed and must be rebuilt in two coats.
• Lime plaster for solid-wall buildings that need to breathe.
• Dry-lining for badly out-of-true walls or rooms being reconfigured.
• Ceiling repairs for sagging lath-and-plaster or water-damaged ceilings.
• Coving and cornice repaired, matched or replaced.
• External rendering and harling, which helps protect the masonry from the weather.

On extensions, we finish the new walls to match the rest of the house.

Step 5

Step 5: Drying Time and Handover

Fresh plaster changes colour as it dries, from dark brown to an even pale pink. Drying time varies with the thickness of the coat, the method, ventilation and time of year, so we give you guidance for your own rooms rather than a fixed figure. When the work is done we clean up, and then carry out a final walk-round check with you so you can look at every wall and ceiling before we leave.

Do I need to empty the room completely?

Clearing smaller items helps. Larger furniture can be moved to the centre and covered, and we sheet everything in the working area.

How quickly can you reply to my photos?

WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach us, and photos let us give you an early idea of the job before we visit.

Will the quote change once work starts?

The written quote sets out the agreed areas and method. If we uncover something hidden, such as failed plaster behind a sound-looking surface, we talk it through with you before doing any extra work.

Can I stay in the house while you plaster?

Yes. We work room by room where possible and keep the areas we are using sheeted and tidy.

What should I do with the new plaster before decorating?

Let it dry fully and use a suitable mist coat or primer first. We will tell you when the surface is ready.