Kitchen plastering and decorating in Islington

Thinking about kitchen plastering and decorating in Islington?

Homeowners in Greater London 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.

Once the old kitchen is out in an Islington home, the walls behind it are often patched, chased and uneven, and a skim gives the new units a sound surface. Homes right across Islington are covered, as are nearby places such as Highbury, Holloway and the villages in between.

What does kitchen plastering and decorating in Islington include?

After the survey visit we write the scope down. For kitchen plastering and decorating in Islington it usually covers:

Loose or blown plaster hacked off back to the wall where needed
Ceilings skimmed or overboarded, after textured coatings in older homes are tested for asbestos
Free survey visit to check walls and ceilings and give an itemised quote
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
Diluted mist coat on new plaster, then moisture-resistant, wipeable kitchen paint

What does kitchen plastering and decorating cost in Islington?

As a starting point for Islington, these ranges include VAT at 20% and allow for typical labour costs in London. Expect costs in London to sit somewhat above UK averages, reflecting local labour rates.

What does kitchen plastering and decorating cost in Islington?
Typical project	Guide price
Skim kitchen walls and ceiling over sound plasterPrepared and skimmed	£460–£1,000
Hack off, re-board and skim a kitchenOld plaster removed back to the wall	£1,200–£2,300
Kitchen decoratedWalls, ceiling and woodwork	£520–£1,600

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%.

Kitchens in homes around Islington

In and around Islington, homes range across Victorian and Edwardian terraces, conversion flats, mansion block flats and 1930s semis. Victorian terraces often have a narrow galley beside the side return, while conversion flats and mansion blocks usually fit the kitchen into a small room or along one living-room wall.

London's mains water is hard, so limescale builds quickly on taps and boiling water taps, and a scale-reducing filter is worth planning in. Permit parking, red routes and flats without lifts are common, so parking suspensions, stair carries and lift bookings may need arranging before delivery day.

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

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.

Conservation areas are widespread across London, so a new extractor vent on a front wall may need permission, and leaseholders usually need the freeholder's written consent first.

Practical advice for Islington homeowners

Keep a small tin of each paint used in your Islington kitchen, labelled with the colour and finish, for touching up marks around handles and the bin.
Small hairline cracks can appear as new plaster dries; ask for them to be filled and sanded just before the final coats, not straight away.
Before final decorating in your Islington kitchen, check that the new worktops and floor are covered, as paint splashes are much easier to prevent than to remove.
Plaster before the units go in: skimming around fitted cabinets is slower, messier and leaves edges that are hard to finish neatly.

Questions about kitchen plastering and decorating in Islington

How much does kitchen plastering and decorating cost in Islington?

Kitchen plastering and decorating in Islington typically costs £460 to £1,000 including VAT for skimming the walls and ceiling over sound plaster, based on prices in London. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.

Do you cover all of Islington?

Yes. We work across Islington, including the N1 and N1C postcode districts, and nearby towns such as Highbury and Holloway. Book a free survey visit and we will arrange a time that suits you.

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.

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.

Nearby places we cover

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