Plastering in Colchester and north Essex

A skim coat gives you a smooth surface to paint or paper, whether it goes over a new undercoat or over an old, cracked wall that just needs flattening.

The skim is laid on with a hawk and trowel. It is the part of the job that takes years to master, and Mick has been doing it for over 40 of them.

Artex walls and ceilings can be skimmed over to a flat finish, ready for paint or wallpaper. Where old Artex is unstable, it can be boarded first and then plastered.

It is one of the jobs customers mention most often in their reviews.

Cracked plaster ceilings are best looked at early: the longer a crack is left, the more likely a repair turns into a replacement.

Mick keeps the mess and disruption to a minimum, and is happy to give advice over the phone if you are not sure what you need.

New brickwork, from an extension or a new dividing wall, starts with a scratch coat of sand and cement. Getting its thickness right helps the plaster bond and keeps the wall sound.

Plasterboard is quicker to finish than traditional plaster, can follow curves, and helps walls meet fire, sound and thermal requirements. Boards are fixed and then skimmed for a flat, paint-ready finish.

Coving finishes the join between wall and ceiling and hides the hairline cracks that can open there. Mick fits plain concave coving and decorative mouldings, sometimes called cornices.