Services › Plastering & skimming
Plastering & Skimming in Barnstaple, Bideford & North Devon
A professional plasterer for smooth, flat walls and ceilings that are ready to decorate – for renovations, new builds, extensions and period homes. We’ve spent more than 10 years rendering and skimming new-build homes.
What we can help with
- Re-skimming tired, cracked or uneven walls and ceilings
- Skimming new plasterboard in extensions, loft conversions and new builds
- Plastering over Artex and other textured finishes – see Artex covering
- Repairs to hairline cracks and blown patches on walls and ceilings
- Patch repairs and making good after building or electrical work
- Curved walls, arches and detailed work – from clean crisp lines to sweeping curves
- Lime plaster applied to plasterboard, so new work matches existing period walls
- Stud work, plasterboarding and dry lining
Recent plastering work
Recent jobs include plasterboarding and skimming a curved, convex “nautical” window, a lounge with major holes and cracks skim-coated back to a smooth finish, and repairs to hairline cracks and blown patches on walls and ceilings.
Before and after: skimming new plasterboard
Contemporary or traditional
We have a thorough knowledge of the plastering products on the market, so the material is chosen to suit the wall rather than out of habit. Modern gypsum plasters give a fast, crisp finish on plasterboard and newer blockwork. In older North Devon properties with solid stone or cob walls, a breathable lime plaster is often the better choice – it copes with moisture and moves with the building rather than cracking away from it.
How a typical job runs
- Get in touch with a few details and, ideally, some photos.
- We arrange a visit to look at the job and give you a clear quote – free of charge
- On the day, floors and furniture are protected and the surfaces are prepared properly.
- The plastering is done, and the room is left clean and tidy.
- We explain how long to leave the plaster to dry and how to prepare it for decorating.
Frequently asked questions
How long does new plaster take to dry?
It depends on the thickness, the background, the weather and ventilation. A skim coat on plasterboard can dry within a few days; thicker backing coats and lime plaster take considerably longer. New plaster has dried fully when it is an even light colour with no darker patches. We’ll give you advice for your particular job.
Can you plaster over Artex?
Yes – skimming over Artex is one of the most common jobs we do. Because some older textured coatings contain asbestos, please read our Artex page first.
Do you plaster single rooms or small repairs?
Yes. Whether it’s one wall or ceiling or a whole house, we can help.
Should I paint new plaster straight away?
No. Wait until it has fully dried, then use a thinned “mist coat” of emulsion before the top coats. This helps the paint bond to the fresh plaster.
What customers say about our plastering
5.0 on Google from 10 reviews · read them all on Google
We’ve used Julian a couple of times now, most recently for our lounge which was in a terrible state with some major holes and cracks. Julian was fantastic and has done an amazing job, our walls were skim coated and now looks like a new house.
— Andy Phillips, Google review
Whenever we need a plasterer, Julian is our go-to guy. He did our kitchen and downstairs toilet to an impeccable standard.
— Gareth Alvarez, Google review
Get a free quote
Tell Julian a little about the job – where it is in North Devon, what needs doing and roughly how big it is. Photos help a lot. All our quotes are free. Call 07881 688372 (mobile) or 01271 314623 (landline), WhatsApp, or send the details online.