What a plasterer does
A plasterer repairs and finishes walls and ceilings: patching cracks and holes, skimming over old or uneven surfaces, full replastering after rewiring or damp treatment, removing or covering Artex, rendering outside walls and fitting coving.
If old textured coating in a Leigh home was applied before 2000, it may contain asbestos. Have it tested before anyone sands or scrapes it; Wigan Council can advise on disposing of asbestos waste safely.
Common plasterer jobs in Leigh
These are the plasterer jobs you can post on Fettld. Pick the closest one, describe the problem in your own words and add a few photos so plasterers can quote accurately.
- Patch repairs
- Skimming walls and ceilings
- Full replaster
- Artex removal
- Rendering
- Coving
Before you hire a plasterer
Drying time and next steps
Fresh plaster needs to dry before painting, often a week or more. Ask when you can decorate and whether the plasterer will apply a mist coat.
Protection and cleaning up
Plastering is messy. Agree in the quote how floors and furniture are protected and who clears the waste.
Insurance
Public liability insurance covers accidental damage while the plasterer is working in your home.
Plasterer prices: rough guidance
To help you sense-check quotes, here are broad typical ranges for straightforward jobs. They're guidance only, not Fettld prices or averages, and every quote in Leigh will depend on access, materials, the size of the job and how soon you need it.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Patch repair to a small area | £100 to £250 |
| Skim the walls of an average room | £400 to £900 |
| Skim over a textured ceiling | £300 to £600 |
How Fettld protects your deposit
When you accept a quote, you pay a deposit to Fettld, not straight to the plasterer. Your money is held as a deposit by Fettld until you approve the work. It's released when you confirm the job is done, or automatically 7 days after the trade marks the stage complete if you don't raise a problem.
- Post your plasterer job for free with photos and the Leigh postcode, so only local trades see it.
- Compare fixed quotes, reviews and checks, and message plasterers before you choose.
- Pay safely. Your money is held as a deposit by Fettld until you approve the work, and bigger jobs are split into stages. If something goes wrong, our Resolution Centre steps in.
Plasterers in Leigh: questions
Should I skim or fully replaster?
Skimming puts a thin new finish over sound plaster and is quicker and cheaper. If the old plaster is loose, hollow or damp-damaged, it may need hacking off and replastering. A plasterer can tell by tapping the wall.
How long before I can paint new plaster?
Wait until it's evenly pale with no dark patches, often around a week for a skim and longer for a full replaster. Then apply a watered-down mist coat before your normal paint.
Is it safe to remove Artex?
Textured coatings applied before 2000 may contain asbestos. Get a sample tested before sanding or scraping. Many plasterers skim over Artex instead, which avoids disturbing it.