Match the repair to the condition

Local patches and damaged edges

Small openings, removed fittings and damaged corners can involve different materials and depths. Identify any missing board, loose finish or exposed background. The quotation should describe what is removed, repaired or replaced and the finish expected at the edges.

A neat patch is not the same scope as repainting a whole wall. Agree whether the repair is left ready for later decoration or whether we include the surrounding paint finish. Light across the surface, existing texture and the decoration boundary affect the visible result.

A wider skim or replacement area

Where damage is spread across a surface, a wider finishing or board-replacement area may need considering. Existing adhesion and background suitability must be assessed before selecting the preparation and plaster system. A photograph alone cannot confirm the condition behind the finish.

Tell us about leaks, recurring cracks, movement or previous failed repairs. The underlying cause needs investigating and addressing where relevant before cosmetic making good. Water-damaged plaster and mould need an appropriate assessment, because covering a stain is not a sound repair.

Record the defect and the finish boundary

Use a simple repair list with a room reference, approximate affected area, damage type, known cause and requested finish. Photograph it before furniture or coverings obscure the view. For cracks, include when they appeared and whether they have changed. Structural or damp concerns need appropriate professional input before a repair scope is settled.

Identify services near the work and any access restrictions. Existing coatings or materials that may require specialist identification should be raised before disturbance. Suspected asbestos or Artex removal and specialist historic lime work are outside this repair offer. Product choice, preparation and readiness for decoration follow the assessed background and selected system.

Separate the repair from the final decoration

Compare the same extent of repair and the same handover finish. A lower patching total may leave more preparation or painting to another trade.

Quotation item	What to make clear
Affected area	Rooms, wall or ceiling references, approximate dimensions, photographs and known defect history.
Preparation and repair	Assessment, removal of unsound material, board or plaster repair, edge details and selected products.
Access and protection	Working height, furniture, retained finishes, service interfaces, waste and agreed protection.
Decoration and handover	Repair-only or wider finish, drying readiness, paint extent, exclusions, provisional work and VAT.

The quotation records the assessed repair and assumptions. Hidden damage, an unresolved cause or a larger area revealed during preparation should be reviewed before additional work is agreed.

British Gypsum plaster product guidance ↗

Questions before you enquire

Can you repair a hole without replastering the whole room?

A local repair may be suitable, depending on the background, damage and finish required. Send a wide photograph and close views. We need to assess the repair area and agree how it meets the retained surface and decoration.

Will a repaired crack come back?

That depends on its cause and the surrounding construction. A cosmetic repair cannot guarantee that movement or moisture has been resolved. Describe the history and any changes so investigation or professional advice can be considered where needed.

Is painting included after the plaster repair?

Only if it is stated in the quotation. Agree the preparation, readiness for decoration and whether the paint finish covers the patch, complete wall, ceiling or room. The selected materials and site conditions affect when decoration can proceed.

What to send for a useful quotation

Send the London postcode, room list, whole-surface and close-up photographs, approximate damaged areas and the known cause. Include any leak or crack history, working height, access, existing materials if known and whether you need repair only or decoration as well.

If the work needs a site visit before we price it, our engineer's visit is free, with no obligation.

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Tell us what has been damaged.