Plastering is applying a smooth finishing coat of plaster to walls and ceilings, either as a thin skim over sound surfaces or as a full re-plaster after removing failed plaster, creating a flat surface ready for decoration.
If you live in Coleraine and are weighing up plastering and skimming, the starting point is a visit to measure up and talk through what you want, which costs nothing. We cover homes across BT52, and a typical project of this kind in Northern Ireland lands somewhere in the £450–£1,400 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £450–£1,400 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days per room, plus drying time
- Postcodes
- BT52
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Local area
- County Londonderry
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does plastering and skimming cost in Coleraine?
Every figure below is a guide for plastering and skimming in Coleraine, inclusive of VAT. Regional pricing for Northern Ireland works out about 14% below the national guide, and the overall span is £450–£1,400. The survey costs you nothing, and after it we commit to a firm price for your specification in writing.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Coleraine |
|---|---|---|
| Patch repairs or one wall | Repairing cracks, filling cable channels after a rewire or skimming a single wall. | £150–£450 |
| One room, walls and ceiling | Skimming or boarding and skimming the walls and ceiling of a typical room. | £450–£1,400 |
| Whole house | Skimming or re-plastering most rooms in a typical 3-bed house during a renovation. | £4,300–£10,500 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Skim over sound plaster or full re-plaster back to brick
- Ceiling height, stairwells and access
- Removing artex, wallpaper or failed plaster first
- Number of corners, windows and openings to bead
What does the job include in Coleraine?
- Survey of walls and ceilings, including tap-testing for hollow plaster
- Floor and furniture protection with dust sheets and masking
- Plasterboard fixed to ceilings or walls where needed
- Skim coat or full two-coat plaster to agreed areas
- Patching around new sockets, pipes and windows
- Waste removal and a tidy finish ready for decorating
What are homes like around Coleraine?
Derry has Georgian and Victorian terraces around its walled city, alongside large post-war estates and newer developments. Coleraine, Limavady and Magherafelt mix older town centres with semis and estates, Portstewart has seaside villas, and rural areas have many detached homes and bungalows, often roughcast.
Terraces suit loft conversions and rear extensions, while rural bungalows commonly take extensions, loft rooms and driveways. Roughcast homes often need re-rendering, and coastal houses need roofline and window renewal.
These patterns matter for plastering and skimming: older walls, roofs and floors in Coleraine can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Permissions for plastering and skimming in Coleraine
As Coleraine is in Northern Ireland, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a quote.
Internal improvements do not need planning permission in Northern Ireland unless the building is listed.
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) apply to structural work, drainage and ventilation; electrical work should be tested and certified.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
From survey to handover
Free site survey
First, someone visits your home in Coleraine to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Your fixed price
We turn the survey notes into a written quote. The price is fixed for the specification we agree, and the document sets out materials, scope and payment stages in plain language.
Dates and permissions
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
Build and hand over
The work is carried out to the agreed specification, with floors and furniture protected and the site kept tidy. At the end we clean up, walk through the finished job with you and hand over any certificates.
How we work
Questions about plastering and skimming in Coleraine
How long does new plaster take to dry?
A skim coat usually dries in a few days in a warm, well-ventilated room, while a full re-plaster can take one to four weeks depending on its thickness and the weather. Plaster turns from dark brown to an even light pink when dry. Keep windows open where possible, but avoid blasting heaters, which can cause cracking. We advise on drying before you decorate.
Which postcodes in Coleraine do you cover?
We cover BT52, along with the rest of County Londonderry. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
Do you cover Limavady, Ballymena and Magherafelt?
Yes. As well as Coleraine, we cover Limavady, Ballymena and Magherafelt and the rest of County Londonderry. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
Should older houses be plastered with lime?
Older homes with solid walls and no damp-proof course are often better with lime plaster, because it lets moisture move through the wall and evaporate. Modern gypsum plaster can trap moisture in these walls, which can cause damp patches and blown plaster. Lime takes longer to apply and dry, so it costs more. We check your wall construction before recommending a material.
How messy is plastering?
Plastering is wet work, so some mess is unavoidable, but good protection keeps it under control. We cover floors with dust sheets, mask sockets, switches and skirting, and move or cover furniture. Removing old plaster creates the most dust, so we seal doorways and keep the area ventilated. At the end, we clear waste and leave the room tidy and ready for decorating.
Also covering areas around Coleraine
We welcome enquiries from all BT52 postcodes in Coleraine, plus Limavady, Ballymena and Magherafelt. Each one gets the same survey at no charge and a written price fixed for the work described.