Do you require a deposit prior to a Venetian Plaster installation?

Generally, we require payment of a 50% deposit at least 14 days prior to Venetian Plaster/Microcement works commencing. This deposit invoice will usually be issued as soon as a purchase order has been raised, and payment of the deposit will enable us to order the materials required for your project. We reserve the right to reschedule works should a deposit not be received in line with the payment terms stipulated in our invoice.

What is your pricing structure?

For the majority of projects where we are contracted to apply wall, ceiling or floor finishes, we price based on a set rate for supply and installation per square meter. We offer a tiered pricing structure for our services, where the rate per square meter varies based on the total size of the project. We apply a standard rate for projects of a certain size, and for larger projects we are able to offer discounted rates.

For projects where we are contracted to apply our Venetian polished plaster or MIcrocement products to furniture or joinery items, we tend to price per item rather than per square meter.

Do you have a minimum order value / minimum project size?

We have a separate minimum order value for each type of finish (Perla, Venetian Plaster Finish, and Microcement Finish).

Minimum project sizes are detailed below.

Perla Finish Minimum Order Quantity: 25m2

Venetian Plaster/Concrete Plaster Finish Mininum Order Quantity: 30m2
Microcement Minimum Order Quantity: 10m2

For projects under these sizes, a minimum order value will usually apply. Minimum order values vary depending on the finish and the nature of the project. If you have a project under minimum order quantity, please get in touch with any relevant project details and we should be able to provide you with an estimate.

What do you need in order to provide a quotation?

In order to provide an accurate quotation, we would usually require all relevant drawings for the area specified (floor plans and elevations) along with a finishes schedule, or details of the Venetian polished plaster/Microcement finish specified. If a full set of drawings is not available, we will usually request dimensions and ceiling heights, or a take-off/bill of quantities, which will enable us to provide a provisional quotation. We would also need to know the project location - for project locations which are not feasibly commutable from London or Surrey, we may need to allow for travel and accommodation costs.

Quotations may be subject to a site survey.

Do you quote to supply materials?

Our costs allow for supply and installation of our products and finishes by our team of approved applicators. We do not generally provide quotes for supply of Venetian polished plaster materials only.

What are your average lead times for a Venetian Polished Plaster project?

Our lead times are generally around 4-6 weeks, however this can vary depending on our project schedule, applicator availability, and the size and nature of your project. Please contact us for current lead times. We can usually provide a provisional start date, however this will be dependent on receipt of a formal purchase order and deposit payment.

Do you work nights?

Our team generally work during normal working hours (8am - 5pm) and our costs usually allow for works to take place during normal working hours. Should night works be required, we are usually able to accommodate, however we would usually apply a cost uplift to allow for unsociable working hours.

Do you work over weekends?

Our team generally work Monday to Friday. Our applicators are occasionally able to work weekends as and when required, however this will be dependent on availability and notice, and cannot be guaranteed.

When should Venetian polished plaster works be programmed?

Venetian polished plaster and Microcement installations should usually be scheduled towards the end of the programme of works, but before FF&E (furniture, fixings and equipment). This ensures a clean, stable working environment, and minimises the risk of damage from ongoing construction activities.

How long does a Venetian polished plaster installation take?

The application process is unique for each of our Venetian Plaster or Microcement finishes, with the number of layers/coats required ranging from 2 - 7. Due to the number of layers required, this means that even a very small project (for example a fireplace feature wall) could require up to 5 visits.

As an example, for a project size of 50m2, approximate installation times would be as follows:

Perla: 2 days

Venetian Plaster Finish: 3-5 days

Microcement Finish: 5 days

Microcement Finish with Anti-Crack Mesh: 6-7 days

Please contact us with details of your project and the finish required, and we should be able to provide a more accurate indication of programme length.

Do you operate in London and Surrey only?

Whilst the majority of our Venetian polished plaster installations take place in London and Surrey, we do in fact operate nationwide and have completed many projects across the UK’s major cities including Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh. We have also completed several Venetian plaster projects overseas.

For projects which are beyond commuting distance from Surrey or London, we would usually allow provisional costs for travel and accommodation within our quotation.

Do you do private work?

We are a B2B (business to business) contractor, and we tend to work solely with designers, architects, shop-fitters and main contractors. We are not currently taking on projects for private clients.

Is Venetian Plaster Waterproof? Which Venetian Plaster product is most suitable for wet areas?

All of our Venetian polished plaster finishes can be made splash-proof/water resistant with sealers, and Venetian polished plaster is ideal for installation in damp or humid areas such as bathrooms or kitchens, due to the high lime content in the products and materials.

Our Venetian Plaster is not, however, suitable for installation in areas which will come into direct contact with high volumes of water, for example in shower enclosures or cubicles. For applications of this nature, we would always propose Microcement as this provides a completely waterproof finish, and is therefore an ideal choice for showers, steam rooms and swimming pools.

For more information, head to our blog post “Is Venetian Plaster Waterproof?”

Can Venetian Plaster be installed outside?

Venetian Plaster is not generally suitable for external applications.

It can however be possible to install Microcement outdoors, due to its durability and waterproof qualities, however this would depend on the nature and scope of the project, and we would need to review on a case by case basis.

Can you repair Venetian polished plaster?

It can be possible to repair Venetian plaster, however this will depend on the size, shape, depth and nature of the damage, and we would therefore need to assess on a case by case basis. If upon inspection repairs at not possible, we may propose re-application.

For more information on polished plaster repairs, head to our blog post “Is it Possible to Repair Venetian Plaster?”

Can you apply your Venetian Plaster to furniture/joinery?

It can be possible to apply our Venetian Plaster and/or Microcement to joinery items, provided the items are constructed, finished and sealed in line with our substrate preparation guidance.

Are you able to match alternative products when specified?

Yes, we are often able to match to alternative products on the specification. It is common for Venetian Plaster contractors to offer similar finishes under slightly different names, so Marmo will often have an equivalent finish in our standard range. If this is not the case, we are always happy to create a finish to match, provided this is achievable with our products.

Can you install products from alternative manufacturers?

When an alternative product is on the specification, we are usually able to offer a similar product to match. On occasion, we have been able to source and install products from other manufacturers, however there are some products we are unfortunately unable to install or offer an alternative for.

Are your products sustainable/eco-friendly?

Our Venetian polished plaster products are comprised mainly of lime, contain no harmful or toxic materials, and do not emit any volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

You can find out more about the environmental benefits of installing Venetian polished plaster in our blog post, “What Are the Advantages of Using Venetian Plaster?”

How can I request a Venetian Plaster sample?

You can request a Venetian Plaster sample via email at info@marmoplastering.co.uk

We would require an indication of the desired finish and colour, ideally in the form of a specific colour reference from our standard colour chart.

For bespoke colour references from alternative manufacturers, samples are usually chargeable due to the additional time and costs associated with performing a colour match.

For Microcement samples, again we would require an indication of the desired finish and colour, ideally in the form of a specific colour reference from the supplier’s standard colour chart. You can review the options on our Microcement page. Microcement samples will usually be chargeable, with a higher fee for bespoke colour references.

When ordering a sample, please kindly confirm the full address where you wish for the samples to be delivered, and who the parcel is to be marked for the attention of.

What access do you require on site?

Our standard preliminaries allow for access to heights of up to 2.5m - access over 2.5m is expected to be provided by the main contractor.

We can supply mobile access towers on occasion, however we would need to adjust our quotation to allow for the additional hire costs incurred.

What working environment is required / What do you require on site?

Minimum temperature of 14 degrees celsius

Clear access to areas to be plastered, free from obstructions and other trades at time of application

Second fix electrical fittings to be removed and feeds isolated

Access to clean running water

A dust free environment

Lighting/electricity

Do you provide protection?

Surface protection is not included in our standard preliminaries. We can supply surface protection on occasion if required, however we would need to adjust our quotation to allow for the additional costs for supply, installation, removal and disposal.

How should a substrate be prepared for Venetian polished plaster installation?

The most ideal substrate for a Venetian polished plaster installation is plasterboard, either tape and joined or skimmed. We have specific requirements in relation to substrate construction, finishing and sealing, full details of which are provided within all quotations submitted.

Should you have any queries about suitable substrate preparation, or require a copy of our substrate preparation guidance, please do get in touch and we would be happy to provide this.

How should the substrate be prepared for a Microcement flooring installation?

Concrete or Sand and Cement Screed Floors:

Microcement can be applied directly if the surface is smooth, flat, and level, without any lumps, bumps, or irregularities.
If irregularities are present, a self-leveling screed must be applied to achieve the necessary smooth and level surface before the Microcement installation.

Floors with Timber Joists:

Securely fix plywood sheets with a minimum thickness of 18mm to the floor joists/timbers.
Ensure all fixings are countersunk.

For any flooring constructed differently from the scenarios described above, please inform us so that we can review the specifics and provide appropriate guidance.

Do you offer an off-site solution?

The majority of our projects are for installation of wall, ceiling or floor finishes, which means works generally take place on site.

For applications to individual joinery items or wall panels, we can indeed provide off-site solutions. These can often be done either at our workshop or at a client's workshop, if suitable facilities are available, however this will be dependent on the size and nature of the application, the type of joinery involved, and specific project requirements.

Please reach out to us directly to discuss your project specifics and to determine the best approach.

Do you hold any accreditations and industry memberships?

We are accredited under Safe Contractor and Constructionline. We are also a member of the SBID (Society of British and International Interior Design).

What training do your team have?

All of our Venetian polished plaster and Microcement applicators hold a valid CSCS card, and some also hold IPAF and SSSTS cards. We complete regular refresher training in health and safety and asbestos awareness, and hold regular Tool Box Talks.

What insurances do you hold?

We cover up to £10 million for Employer’s Liability, and up to £10 million for Public and Products Liability. Insurance certificates can be provided on request.

Our current insurances are valid until 07/02/2025.