Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 14 September 2026
Torquay's mix of Victorian terraces around Ellacombe, 1930s semis out towards Shiphay and newer builds near Torre and Chelston all throw up different plastering jobs. Older properties often need lime plaster repairs or lath and plaster ceilings patched up, while damp from the sea air along the seafront can mean walls need re-skimming more often than you'd expect inland. Newer estates tend to be more about dry lining, snagging lists and the odd crack from settlement. A plasterer who knows the area will usually have a good feel for which properties need extra care around damp-proofing before they even pick up a trowel.
The businesses featured here are pulled from public business listings and ranked mainly by review rating and how many reviews they've built up, with a small boost for those who've got a working website and phone number listed. We also check each business's homepage to confirm plastering is genuinely their main line of work, which stops general builders or other trades sneaking onto a page like this. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone through our fuller verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information (our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves). For businesses without the badge, none of that has been checked by us, so it's worth doing that homework yourself before booking anyone.
Before you commit to a plasterer, ask to see photos of recent jobs, ideally something similar to your own property, whether that's a period ceiling repair or a full render on an external wall. Check they're happy to confirm public liability insurance in writing and ask how they'll deal with drying times, especially if you're skimming in winter when rooms take longer to dry out. Get at least two or three quotes before deciding, since prices for the same job can vary quite a bit across Torquay depending on how busy someone is and what materials they're pricing in. A written quote covering materials, labour and rough timescales protects both sides if anything changes once the work starts.
How We Select & Rate The Best Plasterers in Torquay
Rankings are based on review rating and review count taken from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm plastering work is what they primarily do, so unrelated trades don't appear on this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone through our full verification process, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses here haven't been independently verified by us, and appearing on this page isn't an endorsement. Always carry out your own checks before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Period properties around Torquay make up a good share of the workload for Get Plastered Southwest Ltd, with jobs ranging from re-skimming tired ceilings to repairing lath and plaster walls common in older housing stock. Rendering and patch repairs for extensions and renovations are also handled. Feedback from 79 reviews averages 4.9, reflecting consistency across varied property types.
Landlords and letting agents in Torquay bring SDL Plastering in for turnaround work between tenancies, including patch repairs, skimming and ceiling repairs before re-letting. The firm holds a five-star rating from 65 reviews, a useful marker for agents needing reliable contractors who won't hold up void periods.
Torquay households and landlords rely on Pro Tech Plastering for skimming, rendering and repair work across the town. The firm has built a reputation locally, reflected in a 4.9 rating from 18 reviews. Work covers both new plaster and patching up older walls and ceilings ahead of decorating.
Older Torquay properties often need re-rendering or plaster repairs before any redecoration can begin, and this is where ACR Plastering & Rendering tends to focus its work. The firm also takes on new build and extension jobs, applying finishes to bare walls and ceilings. Twelve reviews on Google have left it with a full five-star rating.
Landlords and letting agents in Torquay use MR SKIM Professional Plastering Service for re-plastering between tenancies and patching up walls and ceilings before new lettings go to market. The business holds a 5 rating from 6 reviews, reflecting consistency valued by those managing multiple properties rather than a single home.
P F Wayne & Son Plastering Contractor works on plastering projects across Torquay, covering both new build and renovation work. The family-run setup suggests continuity across generations, with skills passed down rather than picked up on the fly. Interior finishing, from skimming to rendering, forms the core of the trade on offer.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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Skimming a standard ceiling typically runs from around £150 to £250, while a full room re-skim (walls and ceiling) often lands between £400 and £700 depending on size and condition. Rendering an external wall costs more, often £40 to £60 per square metre once scaffolding and materials are factored in. Prices shift depending on access, whether old plaster needs hacking off first, and how far the plasterer has to travel within Torquay. Getting two or three quotes is normal practice and helps you spot if someone's pricing is out of line.
How long does plastering take to dry before I can paint?
Fresh plaster generally needs at least five to seven days per coat to dry properly before painting, though this stretches out in cold or damp weather, which is common near the coast in Torquay during winter months. Using a mist coat (watered-down emulsion) as the first layer helps the paint bond without trapping moisture underneath. Rushing this step is one of the most common reasons plaster finishes crack or bubble later on, so it's worth asking your plasterer what drying time they'd recommend for your specific room.
Do I need to move furniture and cover floors myself before the plasterer arrives?
Most plasterers expect the room cleared as much as possible, though many will help shift larger items for an extra fee if you ask in advance. Dust sheets over remaining furniture and flooring are standard, but plastering is a genuinely messy job with fine dust getting everywhere, so covering carpets and skirting boards yourself beforehand saves a lot of hassle. Confirm with your plasterer exactly what they'll cover versus what's on you before the day starts.
Can a plasterer fix damp patches or do I need a separate specialist first?
A plasterer can re-skim over a damp patch, but if the underlying cause isn't sorted first, whether that's a leaking gutter, rising damp or condensation from poor ventilation, the problem will usually come back through the new plaster within months. Properties near the seafront or in older parts of Torquare like Ellacombe can be more prone to damp issues, so it's often worth getting a damp specialist to diagnose the cause before booking plastering work, especially if patches keep reappearing in the same spot.
What's the difference between skimming and rendering?
Skimming is the smooth, thin top layer of plaster applied to internal walls and ceilings, giving a finish ready for painting or wallpapering. Rendering is applied to external walls, usually a thicker, more weather-resistant mix designed to protect brickwork from rain and wind, which matters a fair bit given Torquay's exposure to coastal weather. Some plasterers do both, but it's worth checking a tradesperson has specific experience with external render if that's the job you need, since the mix and application technique differ quite a bit from indoor skim work.
How do I choose between plasterers on a list like this?
Start by reading through recent reviews rather than just the star rating, since comments often mention things like tidiness, timekeeping and how well the finish held up over time. Ask each plasterer for two or three references from similar jobs, ideally ones you can actually see in person or via photos. Check they can confirm public liability insurance and are happy to put a quote in writing covering materials, labour and rough timings. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge, that means it's passed our full checks on qualifications, insurance and trading history; for anyone without it, it's down to you to ask these questions directly and confirm the answers before booking.
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