Homeowner project request
Wall Skimming quotes in Ireland
Request wall skimming for a room, several rooms or selected surfaces after other work. Give plasterers the approximate areas and describe the finish you want to decorate. A smooth appearance depends on the existing surface and preparation as well as the finishing coat, so ask what the proposed method assumes.
You post the job. Interested independent businesses may respond. You choose whether to hire; responses and availability are not guaranteed.
Define the work you want priced
Use this request for interior skimming rather than exterior rendering or a complete replaster unless that broader work is needed. If you are uncertain whether the wall can be skimmed, request an assessment and show its condition. Do not conceal persistent damp, loose material or a structural concern behind a cosmetic specification.
Sound surfaces needing a new finish
Identify painted, plastered or newly boarded surfaces and any wallpaper still present. Ask who removes coverings and prepares the substrate. A labour price based on an assumed ready surface may not cover the condition visible once wallpaper or fittings are removed.
Repairs alongside skimming
Mark damaged corners, old chases, loose areas and repaired patches separately. The plasterer may need to repair or replace sections before finishing. Request an explanation of that preparation rather than comparing a room-wide skim with isolated patch repairs as if they were the same job.
Ceilings and awkward access
Specify whether ceilings, stairwells or high walls are included. Cornices, window reveals and the edges around built-in furniture need a clear boundary. Ask how access and protection will be arranged; do not assume every surface can be reached using the same equipment.
What to include in your request
- List rooms and approximate wall dimensions, plus ceilings or stairwell areas if required.
- Photograph the complete wall and accessible damaged areas, not only one close-up of a crack.
- State whether wallpaper, tiles, cabinets or radiators will remain when the plasterer arrives.
- Explain water and power access, occupied areas, protection needs and any other trades working on the same surfaces.
Keep personal contact details out of descriptions and photos. Add them only in the dedicated contact fields when posting.
Compare the complete quote
Give each business the same project information. Check the total and what is included, excluded or provisional before choosing a proposal.
- Preparation and repairs
- Ask which coverings are removed, which repairs are included and how the existing surface is assessed. Establish how any further loose or unsuitable material will be handled before accepting the price.
- Area and edge details
- Record the walls, ceilings, reveals and corners included, with the proposed finish and materials. A per-room price is difficult to compare unless every quote describes the same surfaces and exclusions.
- Protection and making good
- Check floor protection, cleanup, waste, removal or reinstatement of fittings and decoration. Clarify whether chasing or damage caused by later trades is outside the plasterer's agreed work.
Plastering cost guide Planning and budget context, not a fixed quote for your property.
Agree the sequence before booking
Coordinate electrical or plumbing alterations before the final finish where practical. Ask the plasterer when the surfaces can be assessed for decoration and follow the relevant material and paint guidance. A fixed drying promise based only on the number of rooms ignores conditions in the actual house.
Agree how furniture and occupied areas will be managed, including access to the work and where materials can be mixed safely. If a wall problem needs another specialist, arrange that assessment before booking purely decorative work. Keep photographs and an itemised room list with the agreed quotation.
At handover
- Inspect the agreed surfaces in ordinary room conditions and discuss any unfinished areas with the plasterer.
- Ask about drying, ventilation and preparation before decoration without relying on a universal number of days.
- Confirm who deals with later damage from fittings or service alterations.
Wall Skimming: your questions answered
Can every existing wall be skimmed over?
No suitability should be assumed from its appearance alone. Ask the plasterer to assess the existing finish, adhesion and condition and explain whether repairs, removal or another approach are needed before skimming.
Does a skimming quotation include taking off wallpaper?
Not automatically. State which coverings remain and ask whether removal and preparation are included. If you remove them yourself, allow the plasterer to reassess the revealed surface before finalising the scope.
Should ceilings be listed separately?
Yes. Include the approximate area, height and visible condition of each ceiling. Ceiling work and access may be priced differently from straightforward walls, particularly around stairs or ornate details.
Will skimming solve damp or a recurring crack?
It should not be treated as a diagnosis or cure. Tell the plasterer about the history and arrange any appropriate investigation of the underlying problem before agreeing a cosmetic finish.
When can I paint the skimmed walls?
Ask for guidance appropriate to the materials and actual drying conditions, then follow the paint specification. Do not assume a room will be ready to decorate immediately or after a fixed online timetable.
Can I request one wall rather than a complete room?
Yes. Name the wall and the finish required at its edges, and say whether it should match adjoining surfaces. Ask about minimum attendance, preparation and protection charges when comparing a small repair.
Ready to describe your project?
Your service is selected. Choose your county to continue to the job details.
Prepared by HomePros.ie. Updated . Project-planning information, not a technical design or a site assessment. Regulatory and grant links concern the Republic of Ireland unless stated otherwise; confirm the requirements for your property, including in Northern Ireland.
Editorial policy