How much to expect to pay for skimming?

2 years ago

Hi there, I want to remove the woodchip wallpaper in 1x room of my flat in South London (Victorian maisonette). I presume it will need skimming underneath, but basically just want it in good enough condition to paint. No need for the ceiling to be done. Roughly 3.5x3.5meters

The quotes I'm getting are between £700-900 which seems really high! My friends in the midlands had their whole house done for similar... recognise London is pricey but, is that what I should be expecting to pay for this job? Anything different as an option? E.g remove woodchip paper and put on smooth paper instead to paint over?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Sarah U-S

2 years ago

😂😂 Friends thought the price I paid was too expensive (they had just had their room done for less), so it’s good to know that I haven’t been ripped off!

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Comments (10)

Sarah U-S
2 years ago
I have literally just had a room of a similar size skimmed last week - including the ceiling. It was £490 and took three men most of the day. (8.30am - 3pm). It was fiddly because I wanted to keep the skirting on (deep Victorian) and we also didn’t lift the carpets. They have done a fab job and were very clean, leaving the room spotless. If they needed to overboard the ceiling (which they didn’t) it was going to be £600. I initially thought this was pricey - but given that three of them were here for most of the day, it now seems very fair. We’re in the East Midlands.
Sarah U-S
2 years ago
I forgot to say - over the years we removed wood chip from most of our house, and although we initially expected to need to skim, we haven’t needed to. It’s surprising what a good decorator can do with filler 😂
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Sonia
2 years ago
My stepson is a plasterer and his charges depend on location. His charge is approx £180 a day in his area (Herts) but in London he charges £250 a day. Looks like Sarah’s plasterers were a bargain!
Jonathan
2 years ago
I also think Sarah’s plasterer was a bargain and I would expect the £700+ quote
lspendl 828
2 years ago
We paid £750 last year for our bedroom - three walls skimmed and the ceiling boarded/skimmed ( 4th wall being completely covered in built in wardrobes). All done in a day. Thought it was pricey at the time but you just don’t know…
Ricky Watkins
2 years ago
Seems about right, we've had a lot of plastering done over the last year neighbour has too & yes his was cheaper a lot cheaper infact, BUT you can tell too on a visual inspection especially after it's been painted now.
minnie101
2 years ago
The price sounds right to me. Lining paper could be an alternative but I think you’d pay at least £300 a day and upwards for a decorator in London plus the materials.

i’ve just attached this article for consideration as I assume it’s lime plaster underneath the paper. if you did go the lining paper route you may also want to consider whether all elements were breathable

https://victorianproject.com/lime-vs-gypsum-plaster-for-victorian-houses/
PRO
SBS Homes
2 years ago
A good plasterer would charge £350-£400/day. He’d also need another plasterer with him so can add at least another £250
Materials such as multifinish, floor protection, plaster grit primer plus additional costs such as waste disposal, parking, diesel etc would add another £250
So all together you talk about £850-£900 for a good service
Michael Macconnell
last year
Start by soaking the existing wallpaper for a longer than normal time. With a 3in. 75mm scraper gently scrape and see how easy it is. If it is still hard to get off soak it some more, then try again.

I think it will come off without damaging the existing plaster. I base my comments on having built my own house without any help.

How much to expect to pay for skimming?

Sarah U-S

Comments (10)

Sarah U-S

Sarah U-S

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