Skimming cost - ballpark

Milligan · 4 Jan 2010

Hi,

Absolute newbie here so please be gentle.

The reason I am asking is to assess whether I can afford it before I go about getting quotes and using peoples time. I've searched the topic and most of the stuff is circa 2007 so not a big help.

I have stripped a 15m2 room of it's old and tacky looking wallpaper and while the wall underneath doesn't look too bad I'd like to get an idea of what it would cost to get a perfect finish i.e. skimming.

As I said, the room is 15m2 of floor space but it has 10ft high ceilings and a huge window so all in all about 40m2 of wall space. Any ideas as to what I would expect to pay - I am near Redhill Surrey...

Thanks in advance,

Will

stevethespreader · 4 Jan 2010

every spread has there own price but i think your looking at 200-250 + materials for a straight skim you may get lucky and get it cheaper just make sure you get a reputable spread in to do it get several quotes

Milligan · 4 Jan 2010

stevethespreader said:
every spread has there own price but i think your looking at 200-250 + materials for a straight skim you may get lucky and get it cheaper just make sure you get a reputable spread in to do it get several quotes

Thanks, it's appreciated. That seems affordable so I might go ahead and get some quotes in then.

NickB_99 · 5 Jan 2010

Hi Will - welcome to the forum. They are usually kind here

Milligan said:
the wall underneath doesn't look too bad

Is the wall underneath crack-free?

Also, is it solid sounding when tapped with a knuckle?
(Note: this will depend if it is a solid undercoat plaster or plasterboard underneath + skim)

From reading some of the posts, if there are some cracks and they are only taped over and re-skimmed, can re-occur. If a solid undercoat plaster and you also have blown areas (i.e. where it has come away from brickwork etc) it can also be a problem.

Wouldn't like you to outlay cash for a nice skim finish and find you get problems 3 months+ on.

Are you having the 10ft high ceiling done also or is this ok? you only talked about the wall areas.
This will affect your price I'm sure, if you want it doing also.

Milligan · 6 Jan 2010

Hi,

The ceilings weren't going to be addressed but they look like they might need to be on closer inspection.

i.e. some anaglypta fell off.

The walls are solid (very solid) brick and plaster, there are a few areas, namely under the window, which are a bit suspect i.e. they click when you tap them so I'll be making sure all is secure before patching or getting it skimmed.

To my novice eye I can't see anywhere that is blown, and I have stripped the walls so should have noticed it.

NickB_99 · 6 Jan 2010

Milligan said:
The ceilings weren't going to be addressed but they look like they might need to be on closer inspection. i.e. some anaglypta fell off.

Sounds it's worth a closer look at them then. If you're going to the effort of getting someone in, once they're on site with their gear etc, may not increase your price too much.
Given you say some of the paper fell off, it may not be too stubborn to take the rest off.
I would have thought a smooth emulsioned ceiling would match your classy walls better - but I guess it's down to personal taste & budget.

Milligan said:
The walls are solid (very solid) brick and plaster, there are a few areas, namely under the window, which are a bit suspect i.e. they click when you tap them so I'll be making sure all is secure before patching or getting it skimmed.

To my novice eye I can't see anywhere that is blown, and I have stripped the walls so should have noticed it.

Sounds ok.
I guess if there are some little bits that need re-doing you could always do these yourself at little cost. E.g. cutting out weak areas with a stanley knife and patching with Bonding. If they're only small, you can use the surrounding area of good plaster as your guide.
Richard C and others have posted good stuff on patching you can prob find.

Your patches would then be all nicely covered with your pro's skim.

I find that even some patching up part of a weak area can help strengthen any weaker areas remaining nearby - should you have missed some.

Good luck.

stevethespreader · 6 Jan 2010

having the ceiling done as well that will bump the price up by £150 or more + materials

trowelmonkey1 · 7 Jan 2010

all good advice from the boys!

i'd normally charge around £360-£400 for a complete room skim including ceiling, materials included, so right in the same ballpark as steve, prices vary a little area to area though.

wozza56 · 7 Jan 2010

trowelmonkey1 said:
all good advice from the boys!

i'd normally charge around £360-£400 for a complete room skim including ceiling, materials included, so right in the same ballpark as steve, prices vary a little area to area though.

I would agree with the above

Milligan · 8 Jan 2010

Thanks for all the input I am going to see if I can patch the loose bits and then get someone in to skim.

Weather this week has held everything up!

brist · 8 Jan 2010

Agree with Monkey i charge about £400 a room.

Richard C · 8 Jan 2010

brist said:
Agree with Monkey i charge about £400 a room.

Ditto; plenty of chancer’s around "having a go" on the cheap but good work commands a good price, even in these difficult times.

wozza56 · 9 Jan 2010

Richard C said:
brist said:

Agree with Monkey i charge about £400 a room.

Click to expand...

Ditto; plenty of chancer’s around "having a go" on the cheap but good work commands a good price, even in these difficult times.

Yes i have to agree ,ive lost count the number of times people reject your price as too dear but then call you up a few weeks later to fix what they had done for a pittance
I never do go to those jobs ,nothing worse than fixing someone elses bodge up

roughcaster · 9 Jan 2010

wozza56 said:
Richard C said:

brist said:

Agree with Monkey i charge about £400 a room.

Click to expand...

Ditto; plenty of chancer’s around "having a go" on the cheap but good work commands a good price, even in these difficult times.

Click to expand...

Yes i have to agree ,ive lost count the number of times people reject your price as too dear but then call you up a few weeks later to fix what they had done for a pittance
I never do go to those jobs ,nothing worse than fixing someone elses bodge up

Click to expand...

True words spoken there Wozza.

Roughcaster.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Skimming cost - ballpark

Similar threads