The Essential 6-Step Checklist for Preparing Your Room for a Plasterer

The room must be completely emptied of all furniture, boxes, and wall-to-wall obstructions. Plastering is a physical trade that requires space for ladders, mixing stations, and long trowel strokes.

• The Rule: We assume the room is clear upon arrival.

• The Risk: If the room is full, it will lead to a delay or a clearance charge, unless this was previously agreed in your estimate.

All wallpaper and backing paper must be completely removed down to the bare surface.

• Why? Plastering over paper remnants is a structural risk. The old paper absorbs moisture from the wet plaster, blisters, and causes the new finish to bubble or fail.

• Our Advice: Don't leave small patches or "stubborn bits." If it’s on the wall, it will compromise the finish.

We often get asked if we can plaster around a radiator. The honest answer? We can, but you won't get the best finish.

• The Trade-Off: It is physically impossible to trowel the wall behind a fixed radiator completely flat.

• The Recommendation: For a seamless finish, we strongly advise having the radiator temporarily removed (and the brackets marked) before we arrive. This allows us to plaster the entire wall flat, so when the radiator goes back on, there are no visible ridges or rough patches.

Please take down all curtain rails, blinds, mirrors, and shelving. Essentially, if it isn't screwed into the electrics, it needs to go.

• Safety Note: Please DO NOT remove socket facias or light switches yourself. We will safely loosen, mask, and protect these using our specialist overshoes to keep them clean and safe.

You clear the room; we protect the floor.

Once you have given us a clear space, we install our professional protection system.

• Layer 1: Heavy-duty waterproof tarpaulins to stop moisture.

• Layer 2: Absorbent cloth coverings to catch splashes.

• Result: Your carpets and hard floors stay pristine.

A plasterer cannot work without water. Please ensure we have clear access to a working tap.

• The Test: Can you fit a standard 15-litre bucket under the tap? If the only water source is a tiny bathroom sink, it slows the mixing process down significantly. An outside tap or a kitchen mixer is usually best.