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.
Andover sits within our coverage for plastering and skimming, as do neighbouring Winchester, Newbury and Salisbury. Before giving a price we want to see the property: the condition of what's there now, the access, and anything that might need extra work. The guide range for the South East is £600–£1,800 including VAT, and your written quote will spell out exactly what that covers.
- Guide price
- £600–£1,800 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days per room, plus drying time
- Postcodes
- SP10
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Hampshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Plastering and skimming prices in Andover
The table below shows guide prices for plastering and skimming in Andover. They are based on rates in the South East, which run about 12% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £600–£1,800. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Andover |
|---|---|---|
| Patch repairs or one wall | Repairing cracks, filling cable channels after a rewire or skimming a single wall. | £150–£550 |
| One room, walls and ceiling | Skimming or boarding and skimming the walls and ceiling of a typical room. | £600–£1,800 |
| Whole house | Skimming or re-plastering most rooms in a typical 3-bed house during a renovation. | £5,600–£13,500 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- 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’s included?
- Survey of walls and ceilings, including tap-testing for hollow plaster
- Floor and furniture protection with dust sheets and masking
- Removal of loose or failed plaster and old wallpaper
- Angle beads and stop beads for straight corners and edges
- Skim coat or full two-coat plaster to agreed areas
- Waste removal and a tidy finish ready for decorating
Building in Andover
Southampton and Portsmouth have dense Victorian terraces, with plenty of post-war rebuilding after wartime bombing. Winchester keeps Georgian and medieval streets, Basingstoke expanded rapidly with 1960s and 1970s estates, and New Forest villages feature cob, thatch and brick. Brick and flint is common on the chalk downs, and new estates ring most towns.
Terraces suit loft rooms and side-return extensions; post-war and expanded-town homes often need window, roofline and cladding renewal. Cottages in the Forest may call for lime repairs and planning-sensitive windows.
So when we survey a Andover property for plastering and skimming, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Permissions for plastering and skimming in Andover
The notes below cover England, which is where Andover sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
Internal work such as a new kitchen, bathroom, flooring, plastering or decorating does not need planning permission in England, unless the house is listed, when listed building consent may be needed even for internal changes.
Some internal work is covered by Building Regulations: new electrical circuits and work in bathrooms (Part P), new drainage, structural changes, extractor ventilation and any new window. Notifiable work is certified by a registered installer or by building control.
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
We look at the job
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price plastering and skimming properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Your fixed price
After the survey we send a quote for plastering and skimming that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Getting ready
We handle the paperwork side: checking whether planning permission or building control approval is needed, submitting applications where they are, and scheduling the trades and materials around your dates.
The work itself
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
How we work
Common questions
How much will plastering and skimming cost in Andover?
As a guide, expect to pay £600–£1,800 including VAT for plastering and skimming in Andover. That range is adjusted for the South East, which runs about 12% above the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
What is the difference between skimming and re-plastering?
Skimming applies a thin finishing coat, a few millimetres thick, over plaster or plasterboard that is still sound. Re-plastering removes the old plaster back to the brick or block and applies new base and finishing coats. Skimming is quicker and cheaper, but if the existing plaster is loose, hollow or crumbling, a skim will not hold. We tap-test walls to decide which is needed.
Do I need planning permission in Andover?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Andover is in England, so England's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Why is my plaster cracking?
Fine cracks in new plaster are usually shrinkage cracks from drying too fast and are easily filled before decorating. Cracks along plasterboard joints often mean missing tape or movement in the boards. Larger or diagonal cracks over doors and windows can point to structural movement and should be looked at before re-plastering. We assess cracks during the survey and explain the likely cause.
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.
Near Andover
Addresses in SP10 are all covered for Andover, along with Winchester, Newbury and Salisbury close by. Give us your postcode when you get in touch and we will confirm the details.