So how do you know if a plasterer is the right professional for you? A plasterer will be able to provide a smooth surface, whether on walls, ceilings or partitions, for either functional or decorative purposes. A plasterer will also be able to perform the following tasks:

• Apply coats of plaster: Plastering specialists will apply plaster to interior walls and partitions, using hand tools, portable power tools or a combination of the two.
• Create decorative textures: Plasterers can create textures and decorative patterns for an ornate finish.
• Clean and prepare surfaces: Plastering specialists will prepare surfaces for plastering by thoroughly cleaning them and fixing any cracks or chips found. They will also create the mortar mix, ready for application.

The time is takes to plaster a room depends on what’s required, and on the size of the room. We can give you an estimated completion time when we come and look at the job and provide a quote.

Generally, it will take around 3-5 days for plastering to dry out however there are a few factors that will affect the drying time of your plaster. The thickness of the plastering will affect the time it takes for the plaster to dry out. If there are any areas that require additional work, for example, if there is a void, a large crack, or a gap which requires filling then a base coat or bonding plaster may be required before skimming. This means that certain areas may be thicker than others and therefore require more time for the plaster to thoroughly dry out. If there has been significant filling it could take as long as two weeks for the plaster to be thoroughly dry and ready for painting and decorating. Another factor that will affect the drying time for your plastering work is the room temperature and ventilation. It can be tempting to turn the heating right up to speed up the drying process but this is not recommended. Excessive heat will cause the plaster to dry too quickly which may result in cracking or hazing. The best condition for allowing your newly plastered walls/ceiling to dry is to provide some ventilation by opening a couple of windows slightly. You can put the heating on, however, we recommend you keep this at a low temperature for a number of days after the plastering is completed. This will help with the drying process whilst avoiding the plaster cracking.

The most common types of plaster are a composition of gypsum, lime or cement with water and sand. The plaster is typically manufactured as a dry powder and then worked to form a stiff paste by mixing in water before application.

Plastering is most definitely a skill, so you should understand that before you begin. Any skill can be learnt, but it's going to take you a bit of time and a bit of practise. ... With a bit of time, learning and careful work, you can totally tackle plastering through DIY! You've just got to put the effort in to learn how.