Do I need lime plaster?

Only on solid-wall pre-1920s buildings where breathability matters — gypsum traps moisture and blows. Modern cavity-wall houses use gypsum throughout.

Can I paint over fresh plaster?

Wait until dry — pink fades to even pale colour. Mist coat first; then 2 coats emulsion.

Why does plaster crack?

Movement (settlement, lintel sag), drying too fast (low humidity, direct heat), wrong undercoat (e.g., gypsum on damp wall).

Does Builderr plaster?

Yes — directly employed and trusted-subcontract plasterers on all renovation and extension packages, lime-trained for heritage projects.

Quick Answer

How Much Does Plastering Cost in London?

London plastering costs (supplied and fitted) per square metre: skim coat over plasterboard £14–£24, two-coat plaster on brick (browning + skim) £30–£55, full re-plaster including hack-off £45–£85 and lime plaster (heritage/breathable) £75–£140. A typical 4-bedroom Victorian whole-house re-plaster runs £14,000–£28,000.

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Skim vs re-plaster vs lime

Skim coat — 2–3mm gypsum finish over existing plaster or plasterboard, prep for paint. Re-plaster — strip back to brick/block, apply bonding/browning undercoat + skim finish; dries 7–14 days. Lime plaster — breathable, non-cement based, used on solid-wall period buildings where gypsum traps moisture and causes blown patches. Lime plaster dries 14–28 days minimum and requires expert installers.

When to re-plaster vs patch

Patch and skim if existing plaster is sound and you only have small areas of damage. Full re-plaster if: blown plaster covers >30% of a wall, damp-affected zones, after rewire/replumb that has chased into walls, before high-end finish where flatness matters. Skim-over-skim is acceptable if existing finish is intact and sound.

Programme implications

Drying time is critical. Skim coats: 5–7 days before painting. Re-plaster: 10–14 days. Lime plaster: 21–28 days. Painting before plaster is fully dry causes blown emulsion and trapped moisture. Mist coat (50:50 emulsion + water) first coat to allow remaining moisture to escape.

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Senior consultant call within one business hour. Free desk-based planning assessment. Fixed-scope quote — no provisional sums, no day-rate creep.