HERE TO HELP
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about plastering, rendering, decorating newly plastered walls and working with P3 Plastering across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
PLASTERING ADVICE
Painting, Wallpapering & Drying
Everything you need to know about decorating newly plastered walls and allowing plaster to dry.
No, you should not apply PVA before painting newly plastered walls. Once the plaster is completely dry, apply a mist coat using a suitable water-based emulsion diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once dry, you can apply your finishing coats as normal.
Newly plastered walls are very absorbent, so they need to be properly prepared before wallpapering. Once the plaster has dried completely, apply a suitable wallpaper size or primer/sealer recommended for new plaster. This helps prevent the plaster from absorbing moisture from the wallpaper paste too quickly and allows you to position the wallpaper correctly.
Following a typical re-skim, plaster will often take approximately 3–5 days to dry, although this varies depending on the thickness of the plaster, room temperature, ventilation and time of year.
Before painting, make sure the plaster has dried to a uniform pale colour with no darker or damp patches. Thicker plasterwork may take considerably longer to dry.
QUOTES & PRICING
Quotes, Pricing & Timescales
Find out how we price our plastering work, how long a typical job takes and what to expect when requesting a quotation.
The time required depends on the size of the room, the condition of the existing walls and ceilings, and the amount of preparation needed.
As a general guide, an average living room can often be re-skimmed in a day, while staircases and larger areas may take longer. Full-house plastering projects are scheduled according to the amount of work involved.
We’ll provide an estimated timescale with your quotation so you know what to expect before work begins.
We generally provide a fixed quotation for each plastering job rather than charging customers an open-ended day rate.
Our quotations take into account the work required, estimated time, materials and any necessary preparation. This means you’ll know the agreed price before work begins, provided the scope remains unchanged.
For most domestic plastering jobs, we calculate the price individually rather than using a standard square-metre rate.
Factors such as wall condition, ceiling height, access, preparation and the type of plastering required can all affect the cost.
For larger commercial projects, square-metre pricing may be appropriate.
P3 Plastering specialises in room re-skims, ceilings, larger plastering projects and associated renovation work.
Although we can sometimes accommodate smaller jobs, isolated patches are not generally economical because even a small area requires preparation, setting time and finishing.
If you have several areas requiring attention, it is often more cost-effective to have them completed together.
BEFORE WE ARRIVE
Preparing for Plastering Work
A little preparation can help your plastering project run smoothly. Here are some common questions about getting your home ready for our arrival.
Yes, existing wallpaper must be removed before plastering, as plaster cannot be applied directly over wallpaper.
Any remaining wallpaper paste and loose material should also be removed to ensure the walls can be properly prepared for plastering.
Ideally, furniture and personal belongings should be removed from the room before work begins. This gives our plasterers sufficient space to work safely and efficiently.
If removing everything isn’t possible, please let us know beforehand so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
We bring protective coverings for floors and fixtures and take care to leave the working area clean and tidy.
We understand that elderly customers or those with mobility difficulties may need additional assistance with preparing a room, so please mention this when arranging your quotation.
This depends on the condition of the existing ceiling and the reason it is bowing.
In some cases, overboarding may be possible and can avoid the disruption of removing the entire ceiling. However, the existing structure and fixings must be assessed first to establish whether this is a safe and suitable option.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
Rendering & Specialist Plasterwork
From exterior rendering and decorative plasterwork to ceiling repairs and damp-proofing treatments, find out more about the specialist services P3 Plastering offers.
P3 Plastering offers a wide range of exterior rendering services, including traditional sand and cement render, pebbledash, monocouche coloured render, silicone render and decorative finishes such as brick and stone effect render.
We can advise on the most suitable finish for your property, taking into account its appearance, condition and maintenance requirements.
You can explore our full range of options on our Rendering Services page.
No, we no longer apply new Artex finishes, as most customers now prefer smooth, modern ceilings.
However, we can often plaster over existing textured ceilings to create a smooth finish, provided the existing surface is suitable.
Older textured coatings may contain asbestos, so appropriate assessment or testing may be needed before any work that could disturb them.
Yes, a damaged ceiling can often be repaired, although matching an existing Artex pattern exactly can be difficult.
Many customers choose to have the ceiling repaired and then re-skimmed to create a smooth, consistent finish throughout.
We’ll assess the existing ceiling before recommending the most suitable approach, including any necessary precautions for older textured coatings.
Yes. P3 Plastering offers specialist cornice restoration and decorative plaster moulding services.
Finding an exact replacement for original Victorian cornicing can be difficult, particularly where the design is no longer manufactured.
We can arrange for bespoke plaster mouldings to be reproduced to match existing decorative features, helping preserve the character of your property.
Find out more about our Cornice Restoration and Decorative Plaster Mouldings services.
Yes, P3 Plastering offers damp-proofing treatments alongside our plastering services.
We can assess the affected area, discuss suitable treatment options and carry out the necessary plastering work to restore the walls.
Where a damp problem requires specialist investigation, we’ll advise you accordingly.
ABOUT P3 PLASTERING
General Questions
Find out more about the areas we cover, apprenticeship opportunities and how to get in touch with our team.
P3 Plastering is based in the Sheffield area and provides professional plastering and rendering services throughout Sheffield, Rotherham and surrounding parts of South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
We generally work within approximately 15 miles of Sheffield, although we may travel further for larger projects.
If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, please contact us and we’ll be happy to advise.
Yes, P3 Plastering occasionally offers apprenticeship opportunities for people interested in learning the plastering trade.
However, we are not currently recruiting apprentices. Any future opportunities will be advertised when vacancies become available.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Still Have Questions? Let’s Talk.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Whether you’re planning a plastering project, considering exterior rendering or need advice about your property, we’re happy to help.
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Contact P3 Plastering
11 Meadowpark Croft, Dinnington, Sheffield, S25 2XP
neil@p3plastering.co.uk
07762 755947
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