Substrate assessment
We check existing walls for moisture, movement and adhesion before bonding or skimming. Honest advice first.
Plastering
Paint-ready walls — plastered flat, sharp and clean.
Skimming, patch repairs and full re-plastering. A solid base for any paint or wallpaper finish.
- Skim coat specialists
- Patch repairs
- Damp-aware prep
- Paint-ready finish
Bad plaster ruins a good paint job.
Whether it's a full room skim after a refurb, a patch repair around a new socket, or covering textured Artex, our plasterers leave you with sharp corners, flat walls and a surface that's ready to decorate — with proper dust control throughout.
Plastering work across Croydon, South London and Leicester runs alongside our decorating projects — we plaster and paint as one combined job on most full-house refurbs. British Gypsum Thistle MultiFinish is our standard skim, bonding coat where the substrate demands it, and PVA diluted properly for suction control on old lime-plastered Victorian walls. We'll skim over sound Artex with no fuss, but we always test-check pre-2000 Artex for asbestos before work starts — that's a statutory check, not optional. Fresh plaster takes 2–4 weeks to dry fully before it's ready for full paint; we plan the sequencing so the decorating lands in the right window.
- Full skim coat
- Patch repair
- Over-Artex
- Damp-repair prep
What's included
Exactly what you get with this service
Every job is prepared, finished and cleaned to the same premium standard — no shortcuts.
Bonding & base coats
Appropriate base coat for the substrate — browning, bonding or hardwall — to give the skim something solid to grip.
Corner beading
Metal beads on external corners for clean, protected edges. Angles true, no wavy lines.
Full skim coat
Two-coat skim plaster, polished flat with no trowel lines or hollows. Paint-ready once cured.
Over-Artex & textured
We can skim over sound Artex and textured coatings to give a modern flat finish without the hassle of removal.
Dust-controlled site
Floors protected, dust extraction on sanding where relevant, mess cleaned daily.
Ideal for
Who this service suits best
Full refurbs
New walls, moved doors, rewires — skimmed back to a single flat, paint-ready finish.
Post-damp repairs
Once the damp cause is fixed, we replaster affected walls with the right breathable base system.
Ceiling replacements
New plasterboard ceilings taped, jointed and skimmed flat ready for decoration.
Why Homeowners Choose Artem Painters
Choose Artempainters for unparalleled dedication to quality and a personal touch in every project. Your satisfaction is our priority.
Expertise and Experience
Over 25 years in the industry, delivering high-quality results with a skilled team.
Quality Materials
We use only the best materials to ensure lasting beauty and durability.
Customer-Centric Approach
Each project is tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of our clients.
Innovative Techniques
We stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in painting and decorating.
Reliability
We commit to schedules and deadlines, ensuring projects are completed on time and to your satisfaction.
2-Year Guarantee
We provide a 2-year guarantee on all our services, assuring quality and durability.
Ready when you are
Need walls flat, sharp and ready to paint?
Free plastering quote — including combined decorating if you want. Croydon, South London and Leicester.
Our 5 Step Process
01
Consultation
We listen to your needs and provide expert guidance tailored to your home.
02
Preparation
We prepare all surfaces with cleaning, sanding, and priming for a flawless finish.
03
Painting
We apply premium paints using professional techniques for smooth, lasting results.
04
Cleanup
We tidy the entire workspace, leaving your home spotless and ready to enjoy.
05
Inspection
We complete a final walkthrough to ensure everything meets our high standards.
Common projects
Typical jobs we take on
A sample — not a limit. If it's similar, ask us.
- Full room skim Two-coat skim across all four walls and ceiling — polished flat for a paint-ready finish.
- Ceiling skim Old artexed or textured ceilings re-skimmed to a modern flat finish.
- Over-Artex skimming Sound Artex bonded-to and skimmed over — no messy removal, subject to asbestos check.
- Patch repair & damp repair Localised repair to damaged plaster once the underlying cause has been fixed.
- External corner rebuilds Metal beads, bonded base coat and finish skim — sharp corners that won't chip.
- New plasterboard walls Boards hung, taped and jointed, then skimmed to finish — straight from stud to paint-ready.
- Chimney-breast repairs Patching around removed fireplaces or chimney openings — blending seamlessly into surrounding wall.
- Doorway & socket repairs Filling around replaced doors, moved sockets or relocated switches — tidy and invisible.
Areas we cover
Croydon · South London · Leicester
Mobile teams across Croydon, South London and Leicester — quoting, planning and starting quickly. Not sure if your postcode's covered? Ask — we'll be honest.
Before you book
What we promise on every job
We won't skim over problems
If there's damp, movement or a structural issue we'll tell you and recommend a fix — not plaster over it.
Clean site
Plastering is dusty — we plan it properly with floor protection and daily clean-down.
Decorator-ready
Walls handed over truly paint-ready — and we can go straight into decorating as one combined job if you want.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about this service. Something else on your mind? Just ask.
Fresh plaster needs to dry properly — usually 2–4 weeks depending on conditions, thickness and season. First coat is a watered-down mist coat. We can sequence painting as part of the same project.
Usually yes — provided the Artex is sound and free of asbestos. We check first. For older pre-2000 coatings we recommend a sample test before work starts.
Mixing and trowelling are contained; sanding is the dusty part and we manage it carefully with floor protection and dust extraction where relevant. We tidy every evening.
Both. Patch repairs around new sockets, removed fireplaces or damp fixes are fine — we just price accordingly.
Yes — often the most efficient option. We quote plastering + decorating as one combined job with one timeline.
Yes — including single-room skims, ceiling overboards and patch repairs. Most plastering is booked alongside painting so the two trades sequence properly. If you want just plastering we can do that too, to fully cured and paint-ready.
Usually 2–4 weeks from finish to ready-to-paint — longer in winter or with thicker coats. First paint coat is always a watered-down mist coat to seal the surface. If you're combining plastering and painting with us, we plan the sequence and drying window into the overall schedule.
Where we work
Painting and decorating across South London and Leicestershire — our core service areas.