Plasterers and Renderers in Ormskirk
Inland across the moss — older brick, a different sort of weather, and far less of the work outside.
Inland brick, and knowing when not to render it
Ormskirk is a market town rather than a coastal one and the stock reflects it: town-centre property and cottages in soft handmade brick bedded in lime, farmhouses and converted outbuildings on the lanes, then whole estates of post-war and modern housing round the edge. The old brick is the part worth being careful with. It is soft, it was never meant to be sealed, and the lime mortar around it was designed to be the sacrificial part that fails first.
So the honest answer to can you render it is sometimes that you should not. Where the brick is sound and only the mortar has gone, repointing in the right mix does more for the wall than any render will and costs less. Where render genuinely is the answer — a rebuilt gable, a wall patched into a mess, an extension that has to disappear into the original — it needs to be a breathable one, because sealing soft brick under cement turns a dry wall into a damp one.
No salt out here, but plenty of frost
The weather problem changes the moment you come off the coast. There is no salt-laden wind inland worth designing around, which is why finishes that struggle in Ainsdale can last comfortably in Ormskirk. What replaces it is frost: on open ground a wall that has taken up water goes through more hard freezes, and water expanding inside a soft brick or behind a coat of render is what spalls faces off brickwork and lifts render along the bottom of a wall.
That moves the attention to the low-level detail rather than the top of the elevation. Ground levels that have crept up over the years, paths laid tight against the wall, bellcast and stop beads that let water leave instead of sitting in the finish. Get those right inland and what is above them is rarely the thing that fails.
Which is why most of the work here is indoors
Because the outside takes less punishment, the work this side skews internal, and it is the sort where flatness is the entire product: ceilings overboarded and skimmed, walls skimmed after a knock-through, dry lining on cold external walls, media walls built into a chimney breast, and making good after an extension so the join does not announce itself. Older Ormskirk rooms are often out of square and out of plumb and never were straight, and how much of that to correct is a conversation worth having before we start rather than after.
Getting here is about nine miles from Sheepfold Close in Southport, straight out over the moss — twenty minutes on a normal morning. We are Southport based and we travel to Ormskirk; there is no branch out here and we would not claim one. Access is usually the easy part compared with the coast: more driveways, more room for a tower, far fewer streets where scaffold has to go up over a pavement.
What we are asked for most in Ormskirk
Internal Plastering
Skimming, float and set, ceilings and repairs. Flat walls that take paint evenly and stay that way.
Read moreDry Lining & Plasterboarding
Stud walls, ceilings and insulated linings — set out square, taped and beaded before skimming.
Read moreBespoke Media Walls
TV and fire recesses, alcoves and lighting — framed, wired and skimmed with nothing on show.
Read moreExternal Rendering
Re-rendering tired, cracked and blown elevations — including stripping off failed pebbledash first.
Read moreQuestions from Ormskirk customers
Our cottage is old soft brick. Should we render it?
Often not. If the brickwork is sound and the mortar has failed, repointing in the right mix is the better job and the cheaper one. Where render is the right answer it has to be breathable, because cement over soft brick traps water in the wall rather than keeping it out.
Can you do the internal work while we are living in the house?
Usually yes — a room or a floor at a time, sheeted up, with everything cleared down at the end of each day. Tell us which rooms you cannot lose at once and we will work round them.
Do you come out as far inland as Ormskirk?
Yes, regularly. It is about nine miles from Sheepfold Close in Southport on a straightforward run over the moss. We are Southport based and we travel to Ormskirk — we do not have premises out here and would not claim to.
Can I see work you have done near Ormskirk?
The gallery on this site is all our own work across Southport and the coast, grouped by service. If you want to see something specific — a silicone render, a media wall, a restored ceiling — ask when you call and we will point you at the relevant photos.
What customers say
4.7 out of 5 from 12 reviews on Google. Every review below is verbatim from that profile.
Anthony's just finished skimming the lounge. He prepared it all thoroughly and was so conscientious throughout. He arrived punctual in the mornings and never stopped until it was finished. He's done a brilliant job the room looks immaculate. He left it so clean and tidy afterwards. We would recommend him to anyone.
Anthony has done a fantastic job on our rendering. Excellent communication from start to finish and has always been responsive. He has turned up every day early and has left the place spotless. Couldn't fault the service and would use again and recommend to others. Thank you so much.
Anthony rendered the gable wall and single storey kitchen of my house. He did an excellent job of the work. Anthony fully explained the process and where he was up to as it progressed. He made sure that surrounding area and walls were protected from any debris or render during the process and did an excellent job of cleaning up both as it progressed and at the end. Anthony was also a pleasure to deal with as a tradesman. In addition his price was really competitive compared to other renderers who quoted. When I get the rest of the house re-rendered I will certainly be using Birkdale Plastering and Rendering.
I recently had the front of my house rendered by birkdale plastering and rendering, and couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish Anthony was professional, friendly and highly skilled. The quality of the rendering is outstanding, giving my home a fresh, modern look. Anthony paid great attention to detail, kept everything tidy and completed the job on time. If you're looking for expert rendering services I highly recommend birkdale plastering and rendering. Fantastic workmanship and excellent customer service. Thank you Anthony!
Anthony did an amazing job re-rendering our bungalow. The finish is flawless, and our home looks brand new! Professional, tidy, and efficient from start to finish. Highly recommend Birkdale Plastering and Rendering. Thanks again!
Anthony is prompt, professional and friendly in nature. He arrived when he said he would and completed all plastering work to an excellent standard. He also did an amazing job with my coving. I would 100% recommend him for all plastering work 😊 ...
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Get in touch
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. Free written estimate, no obligation.
- Phone 07923 545449
- Email anthony9thompson@yahoo.co.uk
- Address 2 Sheepfold Cl., Southport PR8 6RL
- Opening hours Every day, 7am – 8pm