If cleanliness is next to Godliness then plastering is the holy trade! Ask any plasterer and you will be told the same thing, keep your equipment very clean and most importantly clean as you go.

Plasterboard is the most common material used nowadays for finishing off internal walls and ceilings. It comes in various sizes and thicknesses and has many edge finishes.

The plasterer's featheredge is used for smoothing and straightening the plasterwork. This is possible because of the tapered edge. The other edge is flat and is used for tamping and smoothing concrete. The material used is lightweight aluminum.

Plastering is an acquired skill and is best left to those with the acquired knowledge and experience.

The skill of plastering is usually learned on the job. It can be taught either through a formal apprenticeship scheme or by working as helper.

Due of its pliable nature plaster can be manipulated to fit into just about any nook or cranny.

Plastering equipment will usually need replacing if plaster is not cleaned off with water before it dries and this can get expensive and is wasteful.

This is the most important coat and this coat of plaster is called a skim. Skimming requires practice, so go about it slowly and follow instructions carefully.

It is often difficult to judge the plastering job that is required for your wall or ceiling. Sometimes one wastes a lot of time looking through websites and directories and searching for the suitable person and the lowest price.

You need to know what texture to look out for when doing plaster mixes, the best way to describe the texture you are looking for is like that of thick cream - with no lumps of plaster.