Plastering Services
Plastering Services in Romford & Havering
AJ Plast provides professional wall and ceiling plastering across Romford, Havering, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need a single wall reskimmed, a full room replastered, a textured ceiling modernised, or a bespoke arched alcove built, we deliver a clean, durable finish every time — the kind that still looks flat and flawless once it's painted, not just smooth to the touch on the day.
Wall Plastering & Skimming
A skim coat is the final, smooth layer of plaster that gives walls that flat, paint-ready finish. We carry out full wall plastering on new plasterboard, and re-skimming on older, cracked, or uneven walls. Paint alone won't fix an uneven or textured wall — it just highlights the problem once it dries, especially under artificial light in the evening. A proper re-skim gives you a genuinely flat surface underneath, so the paint job actually looks as good as it should, from every angle in the room.
We also handle plaster repairs — patching cracks, holes, and damp-damaged sections without needing to redo an entire wall where it isn't necessary. If a wall only has a small area of damage, we'll say so rather than upselling a full re-skim you don't need.
Ceiling Plastering, Boarding & Artex Removal
Ceilings are one of the most common jobs we carry out, from fresh plasterboard installation through to skimming and finishing. A large number of our ceiling jobs involve removing or skimming over old artex — the textured ceiling finish common in older properties — to give a smooth, modern look that suits contemporary lighting and decor far better than the dated texture underneath.
We also carry out ceiling crack repairs, working around recessed lighting, extractor fans, and loft hatches with clean, sharp lines. If your property was built before the 1980s-90s, we always recommend having any artex tested before removal, as some older textured coatings can contain asbestos — we're happy to advise on this and won't proceed with removal work until you've had appropriate confirmation it's safe to do so.
Coving, Arches & Bespoke Feature Walls
Beyond flat walls and ceilings, we build and plaster bespoke features that give a room real character:
- Coving and cornice installation — classic decorative ceiling trims fitted to a high standard
- Plaster arches — smooth, curved archway openings between rooms or in hallways
- Alcove shelving — recessed shelving either side of a chimney breast, plastered to a seamless finish
- Media wall plastering — bespoke recesses and surrounds built and plastered around TVs and fireplaces, often with cable routing built in
This kind of detailed work is where experience really shows — uneven curves or visible joints are obvious the moment light hits them from a different angle. We take the time to get corners, curves, and transitions genuinely seamless, checking each recess under different lighting before calling it finished.
Our Proces
Free site visit and quote
we assess the job in person so the price is accurate, not guessed over the phone
Preparation
floors and furniture protected, surfaces prepped properly before we start
Plastering or boarding
walls, ceilings, or feature work carried out to a professional standard
Finish check
inspected under proper lighting before we consider the job done, including checking corners and transitions where light exposes flaws most easily
Plastering Across Romford & Havering
We regularly carry out plastering work across Romford, Havering, and Barking & Dagenham, with jobs completed further afield across Essex and East London.
FAQs
How much does plastering cost in Romford?
Cost depends on room size, the condition of existing walls, and the finish required. We provide free, itemised quotes after seeing the job in person — for a detailed price breakdown, see our Plastering Cost guide.
How long does plastering take to dry?
Fresh plaster typically takes 3–5 days to dry fully before painting, depending on room ventilation and how thick the plaster is applied.
Can you plaster over old artex or textured ceilings?
In most cases yes — we can skim directly over sound artex, or remove it first if it's damaged or you'd prefer it gone entirely. We'll advise the best option once we've seen it.
Is artex dangerous to remove?
Some older artex can contain asbestos, particularly in properties built before the 1980s-90s. We recommend testing before removal on older homes and are happy to advise.
Can you build an alcove or arch to match my existing chimney breast?
Yes — matching proportions and finish to complement the existing structure is a standard part of this kind of job.
Do you offer free quotes?
Yes, always, with no obligation to book.
How many coats of plaster do you typically apply?
This depends on the job — a straightforward skim over sound plasterboard is usually one coat, while older or more damaged walls sometimes need a base coat before the final skim.
Can I stay in the room while you work?
For most jobs, yes, though we'll advise if a particular stage (like sanding) is better done while the room is empty.