Plasterers in Horsham

Horsham's older streets have a good stock of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, along with older cottages and some much earlier buildings in the historic core. Many of these homes have solid walls rather than cavity walls, and some still have their original lime plaster or lath and plaster ceilings. Patching them with modern gypsum can trap moisture and cause problems, so it pays to use a plasterer who is comfortable working with lime. A good trade will look at what is already on the wall before recommending whether to repair, replace or overboard.

Parts of the town centre are covered by conservation areas, and some buildings are listed. If you are thinking about rendering, changing the front of a house or doing any work to a listed building, check with Horsham District Council before you start. Listed building consent can apply to internal work as well as external, so it is worth asking early.

Outside, Horsham homes range from brick and tile-hung houses to rendered and pebbledashed post-war semis. Plasterers who also do rendering can repair cracked render, remove tired pebbledash or apply modern finishes such as silicone or monocouche. On older solid-walled houses, lime render is often the better choice because it lets the wall breathe. Changing the look of a house significantly may need planning permission, particularly in a conservation area, so check with the council first.

External wall insulation is worth considering for solid-walled homes that are hard to heat. It counts as renovating a thermal element, so building regulations apply and you should check with building control before work begins. Horsham District Council's website lists the Warmer Homes: Local Grant through West Sussex Affordable Energy, although the page currently describes it as oversubscribed. Our external wall insulation grants guide explains what else may be available.

To get started, fill in the short form or call 01273 115520 and describe the job, including the type of house, the rooms involved and any problems you have noticed, such as damp or loose plaster. Up to 3 checked local plasterers can then quote, and you can compare their prices and suggested methods in your own time. The service is free and you are under no obligation to accept any quote.