Get matched with top plaster repair specialists in Catskill, NY

Q: What is the difference between spackle and joint compound, and which should be used for drywall repair?

• <div><p>Although they are used for similar tasks, spackle and joint compound are not the same. Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum and is primarily used for large-scale projects like taping and finishing seams on new drywall. Spackle is composed of gypsum and binding agents, making it a thicker compound best suited for small wall repairs like filling nail holes or cracks, as it dries quickly and is easy to sand. For small repairs, either product can be suitable. However, you can use joint compound for small jobs in place of spackle, but you cannot use spackle for large-scale taping and mudding projects.</p></div>

Q: What is the difference between plastering and skimming?

• <div><p>Plastering and skimming are two different techniques for finishing walls. Plastering involves applying a thick layer of a plaster mixture&mdash;typically containing gypsum, lime, cement, sand, and water&mdash;to create a new surface. This process often requires multiple coats and is used for repairing significant damage or creating decorative textures. Skimming, on the other hand, is a technique that involves applying a thin layer of drywall compound or joint compound over an existing surface to smooth it out, covering minor imperfections, small cracks, or uneven textures for a polished look. Plastering is generally more costly and labor-intensive than skimming. Although some people use the terms interchangeably, they refer to different processes and materials.</p></div>

Q: How much does it cost to replace a plaster ceiling?

• <div><p>If you already have plaster walls and ceilings, adding new plaster costs $2 to $10 per square foot. For an average-sized room, that would come out to $1,200 to $10,000. However, the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-to-replace-plaster-with-drywall.htm">cost to replace plaster with drywall</a> is higher&mdash;running between $720 and $1,250 for a 10-by-8-foot wall or ceiling (not including drywall finishing). </p></div>

Q: How do I know if I have plaster walls?

• <div><p>If your home was built before the 1940s and was not remodeled in the past 50 or so years, you probably have plaster walls. Aside from assuming, there are some <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-tell-drywall-vs-plaster.htm">practical ways to tell if you have plaster walls</a>, including the following: If you knock on the wall and it feels solid, not hollow, if you can&rsquo;t insert a thumbtack easily, if there are cracks that look like spiderwebs, or if your home has curved, arched, or swirled walls, doorways, or window openings.</p><p>If you have an unfinished basement or attic, you could examine the backs of any finished walls to check, too.</p></div>

Q: Can you install drywall over plaster?

• <div><p>Yes, you can install drywall over plaster, but there are important factors to consider. While it can create a smooth, flat surface, it is often not the best approach. Installing drywall over plaster will increase the wall's thickness, which can cause issues with existing window and door frames that may no longer fit. You might also need to adjust power outlets to keep them accessible. A better, though more expensive, option is to remove the old plaster and lath entirely before installing new drywall. Drywalling directly over plaster seals in the old material, and if any problems arise later, you will need to remove both layers down to the structural beams for repairs. Given the potential complications, this job is best handled by professionals.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Plaster Repair pros in Catskill, NY

*The Angi rating for Plaster Repair companies in Catskill, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Plaster Repair needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Plaster Repair companies in Catskill, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Plaster Repair needs.

Last update on May 26, 2026

Reviewed in May 2026
I hired BRO-SIS Pallas Construction LLC in April 2026 to repair and then paint the outside of our home in a historic village in the Catskills. They were excellent to work with. Great communicators, and we are very happy with the finished product. We would definitely hire them for additional...
BRO-SIS Pallas Construction LLC
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Reviewed in January 2026
He did a beautiful job repairing a stone retaining wall and built a new bluestone patio
Mario Antonio Service
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Reviewed in November 2025
Errol and his son arrived on time, repaired my screen door as good as new. They were so professional and skilled, the whole process was a pleasure. I intend to use Reid services again and recommend them to my friends.
Reid’s Painting & Handyman Services
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Reviewed in July 2024
Roy Johnson painted and repaired my deck..The painting was excellent and the crew also repaired damaged wood boards. I strongly recommend Roy Johnson for all areas of carpentry..
Roy Johnson
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Reviewed in November 2023
Ron and his team are a dream to work with. They are thorough and brilliant painters - meticulous, filled and sanded in all the holes, even spotted places that our builder could have done better, and caulked and repaired as necessary. They are also clear, kind, and professional. We will work...
Ronald D. Jones Painting
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Reviewed in November 2023
We bought an old farmhouse that we knew needed some masonry work repairing a stone retaining wall, and keeping water out of the house and rain runoff away from our wellhead. I was absolutely dreading the repair, but Greg and his crew made things easy, and took care of a huge job in 2 weeks. Even...
Diversified Trades
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Reviewed in January 2023
I purchased a home 4 months ago. I needed some things done. Tonyâ s work is top notch. Not only did he show up on time, but finished all the repairs when he said it will be done. . Final results turned out great!"
Pinnacle Interiors Home Remodeling, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2022
Nigel was on time, professional, and very skilled in all the varied things I needed done: repairing cabinets, re-hanging a door, removing an old dishwasher, getting hardware and installing it for door knobs, door stops.... He hade valuable suggestions on how to proceed and was available to...
Brooklyn Tronics
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Reviewed in November 2021
Repair to a burn on hot tub side. Perfect repair. Can't tell there was ever a burn.
Hudson Valley Resurfacing, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2021
There is a leak in the roof that needs repaired which involved the rafters. This work needs to be done before gutters can even be installed. Pro has deposit and no work has been started at this point and cannot be done until extensive repairs are completed.
Clear Choice Home Improvements, LLC
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Find Plaster repair specialists in Catskill

ALBYMAR Drywall treatment

4.8(

)

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Francisco & I negotiated the correct solution to repairing my dinning room wall, and we decided skimming the wall with a plaster slurry. It looks great, and Francisco was very diligent with the work! He completed it over several days and It looks fantastic! Thank You!"

54 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Precision Drywall, Inc.

5.0(

)

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Ty was quick to respond and fit us in. His work was great. We run a non-profit for at-risk veterans and when he found out what we did, he offered his work at no cost to us. A great guy that I would recommend highly to anyone needing drywall repair."

Recommended by50%of homeowners

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Grady's Painting Plastering/Construction

2.0(

174

)

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1969

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"This was a very involved plaster repair and remediation job, in a very old house. Grady is the only person (or company) who was willing to take on the job and drive all the way from Pennsylvania to our home in Northern Virginia. There are very few people who do this kind of work anymore (we really searched) and he is an expert in his field. We needed to work around his schedule, because he is in demand in the tri-state area, so it took awhile to schedule the work to begin... but it was worth it."

Response time11 hrs

Response rate100%

Recommended by57%of homeowners

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Felix Service Drawall

New to Angi

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Hello, my name is Felix. Caceres I dedicate myself to Drawall services I have 6 years of experience and it would be a pride for me to be able to help you with your project!!

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Repair Zar LLC

New to Angi

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

Repair Zar Home Services is a locally owned and operated handyman and home repair company proudly serving Dutchess County, Putnam County, Ulster County, and surrounding areas. We specialize in home repairs, deck repair, door installation, garage door repair, drywall repair, trim and finish carpentry, screen repair, appliance installation, fencing, painting, and general property maintenance. We provide honest pricing, quality workmanship, and dependable service for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals. Whether it's a small repair or a larger improvement project, we're committed to getting the job done right. Free estimates available.

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Mountain View Painting LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Excellent work, extremely professional and reliable, punctual. A very lovely and friendly couple, I would not hesitate to hire them for painting work again."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2002

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I'd had a evaluation and estimate from Exterior Solutions and after then not having received a call back or return email (the inspector had also pulled a loose single from my roof leaving it exposed) I went back to Angie's List. T&T came up, noting it had a good rating, I called. Dave and a colleague arrived, evaluated the roof and offered to repair it free of charge. Still blown away by this. A member of their crew arrived yesterday and did this; apparently they've ended up correcting other work done by Exterior Solutions and they only wanted the good will rating for the work. Incredibly nice and very professional."

Recommended by91%of homeowners

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I am very pleased with the quality of work performed considering that Mother Nature was not cooperating. The contractor, who is a carpenter and painter, also suggested repairs to the exterior of my house that I have been aware of but have put off. I highly recommend using this contractor for all your house repairs and replacements."

+27

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2011

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"did a great job , worked clean and afordable"

Response time5 hrs

Response rate85%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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The Buxton Ventures, LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Catskill, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

"Customer service was excellent very respectful and nice people Couldn't be happier with the results, they were very reliable and kept me informed throughout the project.""Your team was courteous and cleaned up meticulously after each day. Highly recommend"

+28

Response time3 hrs

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Showing 1-10 of 57

Plaster Repair questions, answered by experts

Although they are used for similar tasks, spackle and joint compound are not the same. Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum and is primarily used for large-scale projects like taping and finishing seams on new drywall. Spackle is composed of gypsum and binding agents, making it a thicker compound best suited for small wall repairs like filling nail holes or cracks, as it dries quickly and is easy to sand. For small repairs, either product can be suitable. However, you can use joint compound for small jobs in place of spackle, but you cannot use spackle for large-scale taping and mudding projects.

Plastering and skimming are two different techniques for finishing walls. Plastering involves applying a thick layer of a plaster mixture—typically containing gypsum, lime, cement, sand, and water—to create a new surface. This process often requires multiple coats and is used for repairing significant damage or creating decorative textures. Skimming, on the other hand, is a technique that involves applying a thin layer of drywall compound or joint compound over an existing surface to smooth it out, covering minor imperfections, small cracks, or uneven textures for a polished look. Plastering is generally more costly and labor-intensive than skimming. Although some people use the terms interchangeably, they refer to different processes and materials.

If you already have plaster walls and ceilings, adding new plaster costs $2 to $10 per square foot. For an average-sized room, that would come out to $1,200 to $10,000. However, the cost to replace plaster with drywall is higher—running between $720 and $1,250 for a 10-by-8-foot wall or ceiling (not including drywall finishing).

If your home was built before the 1940s and was not remodeled in the past 50 or so years, you probably have plaster walls. Aside from assuming, there are some practical ways to tell if you have plaster walls, including the following: If you knock on the wall and it feels solid, not hollow, if you can’t insert a thumbtack easily, if there are cracks that look like spiderwebs, or if your home has curved, arched, or swirled walls, doorways, or window openings.

If you have an unfinished basement or attic, you could examine the backs of any finished walls to check, too.

Yes, you can install drywall over plaster, but there are important factors to consider. While it can create a smooth, flat surface, it is often not the best approach. Installing drywall over plaster will increase the wall's thickness, which can cause issues with existing window and door frames that may no longer fit. You might also need to adjust power outlets to keep them accessible. A better, though more expensive, option is to remove the old plaster and lath entirely before installing new drywall. Drywalling directly over plaster seals in the old material, and if any problems arise later, you will need to remove both layers down to the structural beams for repairs. Given the potential complications, this job is best handled by professionals.

The Catskill, NY homeowners’ guide to plaster repairs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Deirdre Sullivan
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
How Much Does Plaster Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Plaster repair costs are determined by the size and type of damage. Discover why some fixes you can DIY and why some require a pro’s help.
Mizuki Hisaka
•
Jul 10, 2026Jul 10, 2026
How Much Does Plastering Cost? [2026 Data]
The cost of plastering walls and ceilings depends on the room size and ceiling height. Our tips can help you estimate an accurate cost.
Stephanie Mickelson
•
Jul 10, 2026Jul 10, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Apply Venetian Plaster? [2026 Data]
Venetian plaster can add depth and texture to your aesthetic. Learn how much Venetian plaster costs based on factors like square footage and whether you hire a pro to help.
Angi
•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
How to Hire a Plaster Repair Professional
Finding a qualified plaster repair pro? Learn how to hire the right specialist, what questions to ask, and what to expect for your project.
Katy Willis
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
What Is Behind Your Lath and Plaster Walls?
You can find plaster walls in a lot of older homes. What’s behind these walls—whether that’s lath or calcimine—can have an impact on how long they last. Finding out the age of your house can help you determine what you’re dealing with.
Jamie Cattanach
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
Who Does Plaster Work and What Is Their Job Like?
Who does plaster work? A plasterer, of course—one who’s gone through years of training to master this subtle construction art. Here’s what you need to know.