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.
We offer plastering and skimming across Tyne and Wear, and Washington is one of the places we cover, along with nearby Chester-le-Street, Felling and Houghton-Le-Spring. Before anything is agreed we visit, check the existing structure and talk through your options. You then receive a written quote setting out the full scope; for most homes in the North East it sits within £500–£1,450 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £500–£1,450 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days per room, plus drying time
- Postcodes
- NE37 and NE38
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Sunderland
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does plastering and skimming cost in Washington?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of plastering and skimming in Washington. Pricing for the North East runs about 10% below the national guide, and the overall guide is £500–£1,450 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Washington |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | £500–£1,450 |
| Whole house | Skimming or re-plastering most rooms in a typical 3-bed house during a renovation. | £4,500–£11,000 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Total wall and ceiling area to be plastered
- Skim over sound plaster or full re-plaster back to brick
- 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
- Plasterboard fixed to ceilings or walls where needed
- Angle beads and stop beads for straight corners and edges
- Skim coat or full two-coat plaster to agreed areas
Building in Washington
Tyneside flats, pairs of upper and lower flats behind a terraced front, are a distinctive feature of Newcastle and Gateshead. Sunderland is known for its single-storey terraced 'Sunderland cottages', and both cities have Victorian brick and stone terraces, interwar estates and post-war housing. Washington was built as a new town from the 1960s.
Cold North Sea winds and sea frets affect the coast at Tynemouth and South Shields, and former coal workings underlie parts of the area.
In Washington, as elsewhere in Tyne and Wear, we take the building's age and construction into account before recommending anything, because both can change what is involved in plastering and skimming.
Planning and building rules in Washington
For anyone in Washington, the relevant framework is England's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
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
Book a visit and we'll come to you. The survey covers measurements, the state of what's there now and any obvious constraints, so the price that follows is based on your actual home, not an average.
Price and scope agreed
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for plastering and skimming.
Dates and permissions
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for plastering and skimming are in place before the first day on site.
The work itself
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
What you can expect from us
Plastering and skimming in Washington: questions
Do I need planning permission in Washington?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Washington 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.
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.
How much does it cost to plaster a room?
Skimming the walls and ceiling of a typical double bedroom costs £500–£1,450, depending on the room size, the state of the existing surfaces and whether new plasterboard is needed. As a guide, a skim coat costs roughly £15–£35 per square metre, while a full re-plaster back to brick costs more. Stairwells and high ceilings add access costs. We confirm a fixed price after inspecting the walls.
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.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
Also covering areas around Washington
Washington and its NE37 and NE38 postcodes are part of our coverage. Homeowners in Chester-le-Street, Felling and Houghton-Le-Spring can also book a free survey with us and receive a written price for their job.