Skimming
A thin finishing coat over sound walls and ceilings. Skimming covers old paint, filler marks and hairline cracks and gives you a smooth surface ready to decorate. It is usually the quickest way to refresh a room.
Plastering in Dorset
Smooth walls & ceilings ready to decorate
Skimming, re-plastering, ceilings and plaster repairs for homes across Dorset, from a local team based in Organford. We protect your home while we work and leave it clean and tidy.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Period homes to new builds
- Clean & tidy on every job
Since 2015Poole & Dorset
Plastering in Dorset
Get in TouchLooking for plastering in Dorset? Four Four Finishes is a local plastering company based in Organford, near Poole, and we’ve been plastering homes across the county since 2015.
We skim and re-plaster walls and ceilings, repair cracks and damaged plaster, and board and finish extensions, loft conversions and new rooms. Whether it’s one tired ceiling or a whole house, you end up with smooth, even surfaces that are ready to paint or paper.
We cover Poole, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset area, working mainly for homeowners and alongside local builders. Every job starts with a visit and a free, no-obligation quote, so you know exactly what’s involved before any work begins.
Our Plastering Services across Dorset
From a quick skim to a full re-plaster, we take care of the preparation, the plastering and the clean-up. Closer to Poole? See our plasterers in Poole page.
Re-plastering
When plaster is blown, crumbling or has been patched too many times, we take it back to a sound base and build it up again. It costs more than a skim, but it fixes the problem rather than covering it up.
We re-skim cracked and uneven ceilings, board over old ceilings that are past repair and fit coving for a crisp line where the walls meet the ceiling.
Cracks, holes and damaged patches, including the damage left after rewiring or plumbing work, repaired and blended into the surrounding wall so the repair disappears once it is painted.
Plasterboard fixed to brickwork or stud walls for straight, even walls in extensions, loft conversions and older rooms, then skimmed ready for decorating.
Rendering for house fronts, extensions and garden walls, applied in coats for a clean, even finish that helps protect the brickwork underneath.
Looking for a reliable plasterer in Dorset?
Tell us what needs doing and we’ll arrange a time to take a look. You’ll get a free, no-obligation quote with the work and the price set out clearly.
Interior Services
Exterior Services
Since 2015
Which Does Your Home Need? A skim or a full re-plaster
It’s one of the first things people ask us. The honest answer depends on the state of the plaster under the paint, which is why we look at the walls before we quote. As a rough guide (there’s more in our skimming vs re-plastering guide):
Skim when the plaster is sound
The plaster is firm and well bonded to the wall, and the problems are on the surface: old paint layers, filler marks, fine cracks or a rough texture.
A skim coat gives you a brand new finish for less money and less disruption. A single room is often done in a day or two.
Re-plaster when the plaster has failed
The plaster sounds hollow when you tap it, is crumbling or coming away, or has been patched so often that a skim won’t sit flat.
Taking it back and starting again costs more up front, but it saves paying for a skim that fails. On very uneven walls, dry lining can be quicker than building the plaster back out.
Older Homes and Cottages across Dorset
Dorset has plenty of cottages and period houses with solid walls, uneven surfaces and old lath and plaster ceilings. They need a different approach from a modern build, and a heavy-handed job can do more harm than good.
We match new work to what’s already there, straighten walls that have been patched over the years, and use lime plaster where a breathable finish suits the building better than gypsum. Where a ceiling is past saving, we can board over it and skim it so it’s sound and smooth again.
It’s the kind of work other plasterers sometimes walk away from. In Blandford, we finished a stairwell that another plasterer had left half done, saying it couldn’t be completed. You can read about it below.
From First Call to Finished Walls
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Get in touch
Call, email or use the form below to tell us about the job. We’ll arrange a time that suits you to come and take a look.
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Get a clear quote
We check the walls and ceilings, explain whether a skim, re-plaster or dry lining makes most sense, and give you a free, no-obligation quote.
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We protect and plaster
We turn up when we say we will, cover floors and furniture, and get the work done with as little disruption as possible.
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Clean up and dry out
We clear up before we leave and let you know how long the plaster needs to dry and how to prepare it for paint.
Why Choose Four Four Finishes?
Searching for a dependable plastering company near you?
At Four Four Finishes, we are trusted by homeowners throughout Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset area for several reasons.
We have years of experience in plastering, rendering and dry lining
Our professional, friendly and reliable service is unmatched
As a business, we ensure that only the highest-quality materials are used in our work
All our pricing is competitive and our quotes transparent
Case Study: Transforming a Challenging Stairwell in Blandford
The Challenge
A homeowner in Blandford was left frustrated after a plasterer abandoned their stairwell project, claiming it was impossible to complete. The unfinished work was left in poor condition, leaving the customer uncertain about how to move forward.
The Solution
Upon receiving a recommendation, the customer contacted Four Four Finishes. Understanding the urgency, we visited the property the following week to assess the situation. With our expertise and problem-solving approach, we were able to successfully plaster the stairwell to a high standard, ensuring a smooth and professional finish.
The Result
The customer was delighted with the outcome, praising our craftsmanship and reliability:
"Excellent plastering, great communication, highly recommended. High quality work, thank you!"
At Four Four Finishes, we take pride in delivering exceptional results, even on jobs others may shy away from. If you need expert plastering, get in touch today!
What Our Customers Say
5.0 out of 5 from 15 reviews on Yell (opens in a new tab)
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Skim plastering Plasterboard Walls and Ceilings
Tom skim plastered two small rooms in our cottage. The work was done in a day. Tom was very polite and completed the work to a high standard. The the job was left clean and tidy. We are very happy with the work. We would use Tom again.
SimonL-1056 September 2026 · Yell review -
Brilliant lime plasterer
Tom was an absolute genius. Had a large room lime plastered. Took 3 days. They were quiet and very clean. The results were amazing. Wish I had found this company earlier and highly recommend
EmmaF-718 November 2025 · Yell review -
Excellent work.
Tom delivered outstanding workmanship with impressive efficiency, completing the job promptly and to a superb standard. He was attentive to every detail I requested and showed genuine consideration for everyone in the household, keeping the space clean, tidy, and disruption to a minimum throughout. A pleasure to deal with, and I wouldn’t hesitate to call on him again.
Read the full review from JamesB-854880JamesB-854880 October 2025 · Yell review
Plastering in Dorset FAQs
How much does plastering cost in Dorset?
It depends on the size of the area, the condition of the existing plaster and whether it needs a skim or a full re-plaster. Ceilings, awkward access and extra preparation also affect the price. Rather than guess over the phone, we look at the job and give you a free, no-obligation quote that sets out the work and the price clearly.
Do I need a skim or a full re-plaster?
If the plaster is firm and the problems are on the surface, such as old paint, filler marks or fine cracks, a skim is usually enough. If it sounds hollow when tapped, is crumbling or keeps cracking, re-plastering is the better long-term fix. We check the walls before we quote and tell you honestly which one you need.
How long does it take to plaster a room?
A single room is often skimmed in a day or two. Full re-plastering, ceilings, lime plaster and larger jobs take longer because of the extra coats and drying time. We give you a realistic timescale with your quote.
How long does new plaster take to dry before painting?
A fresh skim usually needs a few days to a week, depending on the time of year, heating and ventilation. Full re-plastering takes longer, and lime plaster longer again. Gypsum plaster is dry when it has turned an even light pink with no darker patches. Keep the room ventilated, don’t turn the heating right up to speed it along, and use a mist coat of watered-down emulsion before your first coat of paint.
Do you plaster older homes and cottages?
Yes. Dorset has a lot of older properties with solid walls, uneven surfaces and lath and plaster ceilings, and they need a different approach from a modern build. Depending on the building, that might mean lime plaster, careful repairs that blend in with the original, or boarding over a ceiling that is past saving.
Which parts of Dorset do you cover?
We’re based in Organford, near Poole, and cover Poole, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset area. We also take on jobs further afield in the county, such as a stairwell we finished in Blandford. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just ask.
Will plastering make a mess of my home?
Plastering is messy work, but your home shouldn’t suffer for it. We cover floors and furniture, keep dust down and clear up properly before we leave. Tidiness is one of the things our customers mention most in their reviews.
Do you work for builders and businesses as well as homeowners?
Yes. Most of our work is for homeowners, but we also work alongside builders on refurbishments and have re-plastered commercial premises, fitting the work around opening hours where needed.