Kitchen plastering and decorating in Horley

Thinking about kitchen plastering and decorating in Horley?

Homeowners in Surrey with textured ceilings in older kitchens often want them smoothed, and the first step is an asbestos test if the house dates from before 2000.

If you own an older solid-walled house in Surrey, the walls may have lime plaster, which is often better repaired with lime than covered with gypsum. Our Surrey coverage reaches every part of Horley (RH6) and out towards Crawley.

What does kitchen plastering and decorating in Horley include?

Every kitchen is different, so we confirm the scope in writing. Most jobs of this kind include:

Loose or blown plaster hacked off back to the wall where needed
Diluted mist coat on new plaster, then moisture-resistant, wipeable kitchen paint
Walls re-boarded or skimmed so units and tiles fix to a flat surface
Chases around new sockets, cable runs and pipework filled and made good
Edges around units, worktops and splashbacks cut in neatly at the end
Ceilings skimmed or overboarded, after textured coatings in older homes are tested for asbestos

Kitchen plastering and decorating prices in Horley

These guide ranges include VAT at 20% and are adjusted for prices in the South East. We confirm your price in writing after a free survey visit. Expect costs in the South East to sit somewhat above UK averages, reflecting local labour rates.

Kitchen plastering and decorating prices in Horley
Typical project	Guide price
Skim kitchen walls and ceiling over sound plasterPrepared and skimmed	£400–£920
Hack off, re-board and skim a kitchenOld plaster removed back to the wall	£1,000–£2,100
Kitchen decoratedWalls, ceiling and woodwork	£460–£1,400

Guide prices are for a typical kitchen, with labour and standard materials for plastering or decorating; asbestos testing, structural repairs, damp treatment and lime plaster are not included and are quoted separately if needed. Prices include VAT at 20%.

House types around Horley and what they mean for a kitchen

In and around Horley, homes range across 1930s semis, Victorian and Edwardian villas, detached family houses and new-build estates. 1930s semis often have a narrow kitchen beside the dining room, while larger detached houses and Edwardian villas may have room for an island or a separate utility.

Private roads, long drives and village lanes can be awkward for large lorries, while town-centre flats may need lift bookings and parking permits for delivery day. Surrey's water is hard across most of the county, so limescale on taps and boiling water taps is common, and a scale-reducing filter is worth considering.

Do you need approval for kitchen plastering and decorating in Horley?

Skimming, re-boarding and decorating a kitchen in England need no planning permission or building regulations approval in most cases. In a listed building, listed building consent may be needed before original plaster is removed, and older solid walls may be better suited to breathable lime plaster than gypsum. Hacking an outside wall back to brick and re-boarding it may count as renovating a thermal element under Part L, so check with building control first.

Listed buildings and conservation areas in older towns and villages may need consent for new vents, and flats in managed blocks usually need the freeholder's consent first.

Planning ahead

If your Surrey home was built before 2000, arrange an asbestos test on any textured ceiling before plastering is booked, so the programme is not held up.
Ventilate your Horley kitchen gently while new plaster dries, but avoid blasting heaters at it, as forcing it dry can cause cracking.
Pick the final paint colour for your Horley kitchen while the plaster dries, testing samples on the dried mist coat rather than on bare plaster.
Older homes with solid walls may have lime plaster, which is often better repaired with lime than gypsum, particularly where the building is listed.

Questions about kitchen plastering and decorating in Horley

How much does kitchen plastering and decorating cost in Horley?

Kitchen plastering and decorating in Horley typically costs £400 to £920 including VAT for skimming the walls and ceiling over sound plaster, based on prices in the South East. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.

Which parts of Horley do you work in?

All of them. Our Surrey coverage takes in the whole of Horley, including the RH6 postcode district, as well as surrounding towns such as Crawley. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

What paint should be used on kitchen walls?

A moisture-resistant paint with a wipeable or scrubbable finish, often sold as kitchen and bathroom paint, suits most kitchen walls. It copes with steam and can be cleaned without marking. Silk or eggshell finishes are easier to wipe than flat matt, and woodwork usually gets a satinwood or gloss. New plaster needs a diluted mist coat before any of these.

Can a textured kitchen ceiling be skimmed over?

Often, yes, but have it tested first if the house was built before 2000. Some older textured ceiling coatings contain asbestos, so a sample should be tested before anyone sands, scrapes or drills them. If the result is clear, the ceiling can usually be skimmed or overboarded. If asbestos is found, follow the report's advice and use a specialist asbestos contractor.

Do I need to replaster after removing kitchen tiles?

Usually, at least in places. Taking tiles off often pulls away the plaster skin or leaves adhesive ridges, so the wall may need skimming, patching or, where the plaster has come loose, hacking off and re-boarding. If you are retiling the same area, a flat, sound surface may be enough without a full skim. We check this once the tiles are off.

Kitchen plastering and decorating in neighbouring towns

The same service is available a short drive from Horley, including: