Level 5 Plaster Auckland, Skim Coating Done Properly

Level 5 vs GIB stopping

How is Level 5 different from standard GIB stopping?

Standard GIB stopping (a Level 4 finish) fills and sands the joints, corners and fixings and leaves the rest of the board face as it is; Level 5 adds a skim over the entire surface on top of that stopping.

So Level 5 is an extra stage on good stopping, not a different trade. Level 4 is the usual finish for walls and ceilings in flat or low-sheen paint under ordinary light. Level 5 is for the walls where the small difference in texture between the paper face and the compound would show through the paint.

Our GIB stopping and plastering page covers the stopping stages, plaster repairs and new builds. This page covers the skim, and when it is worth paying for. For every plastering service in one place, see plasterers in Auckland.

After wallpaper

Do you need Level 5 after wallpaper removal?

Often, but not always: it depends on how much the stripping damaged the paper face of the board and how much light the wall gets.

Patch repairs on a badly torn wall tend to show under side light, so when damage covers much of a wall, a full skim is usually the cleaner fix. When the paper comes away and leaves the board face sound, sealing and standard repairs may be all it needs.

In older villas and bungalows, such as those in Mount Eden and Remuera, the wall under the paper may be scrim over timber or old plaster rather than plasterboard, and may need relining rather than a skim, so we assess after the first wall is opened. Our wallpaper removal and wall repair guide covers stripping, testing and how to avoid surprise costs.

New builds and renovations

When should you decide on Level 5, and how long does it add?

Decide before the stopping starts, ideally once you know where the windows, skylights and downlights will be, and allow a few extra days in the programme for the skim.

On a new build or extension, once the board is hung, we stop it, skim the walls that need it, seal and paint. Light position changes which walls need Level 5, so bring the lighting plan to the site visit.

Each skim coat usually needs to dry overnight or longer before it can be sanded, and longer again in cool, damp Auckland weather, which is why a skimmed room typically adds days rather than hours. Your written quote sets out the programme, so flooring, kitchen installs and move-in dates can be planned around it rather than rushing coats onto soft compound.

Price

How much does Level 5 plastering cost in Auckland?

We measure and price Level 5 work at a free site visit, because area, surface and access vary so much from job to job. For budgeting, our cost calculator gives a per-square-metre allowance for skim coating sound, already-stopped surfaces; the stopping underneath, the sealer and the paint are extra. What moves the price:

• Wall and ceiling area, and which rooms get Level 5 rather than a standard finish.
• The state of the surface: new board, wallpaper damage or old repairs.
• Ceiling heights, stairwells and access.
• Whether rooms are empty or lived in, and whether painting is part of the job.

You get a written fixed quote naming each room, its finish level, the preparation, products and coats. If stripping or demolition uncovers damage nobody could see at the visit, we show you and agree any change before doing it. Our work carries a 10-year workmanship warranty, and we reply to every enquiry within two business days. For typical ranges on the painting side, see what painting costs in Auckland.