Bad skim job

[Hamcc]

I recently had my 1930s flat skimmed. It had just been rewired and the walls chased and lots of large cracks. The skim looked good initially but actually loads of rough places and plasterer had plastered sockets to wall in places. Plasterer then corrected some bits which he made worse. We looked at the flat together, he was apologetic and gave me a substantial refund as I couldn’t trust him to not do more damage.

I’d had it skimmed to be in a good place to decorate so now going to get decorators as I just can’t sort it myself. the decorators I’ve really vetted and they feel confident they can sort it out

My concern is that I’m now going to have longer term problems with the plaster, such as cracking or peeling, even if the decorators make it look good for now. The walls weren’t in awful condition to start with, and I’d say some are now actually worse.

Ive become really anxious about this and have spoken to decorators about my concerns with the plaster and they aren’t worried but I don’t know what to believe now.

Part of me thinks it should all be sanded off back to the concrete wall and start again but that’s probably overkill. I just keep thinking that the concrete walls on reflection weren’t that bad considering they’re 100 years old. Does anyone have any views on the longer term problems the poor skim job might create? I’m aware that cracks can always appear regardless.

im first time buyer and doing this on my own, so everything is a learning curve, but I’m finding it very stressful

thanks

If the plaster was hollow ( tap it) before the skimming then it will still be hollow now. Skimming often cracks as the base is still the original poor plaster. Also often cracks along the line of the electrical wires, along the skirting boards etc.
Just leave it to the decorators if you are not doing it yourself. Be realistic and take lots of photos before they start from various angles. Try and catch the imperfections. Only use matt emulsion on the walls.
Quite often lining paper is a better solution than skimming walls.
You could also post a few pictures here for MN to feed on!

I’ve become obsessively anxious about it. The decorators don’t seem to be concerned at all, guess they’ve seen it all before. But I keep feeling something awful is going to happen or the ceiling skim is going to fall off. Though i understand that’s unlikely if it’s dried out which it has. Not enjoying any of this at all!

I'd say your worries are unfounded. This sounds like just a cosmetic issue, i.e. irregular surface, uneven, snots etc. I had walls skimmed a few years ago and wasn't happy. Before decorating, I had to spend a lot of time sanding rough areas and filling areas with polyfilla. The walls look fine now, although the ceiling finish is uneven. You may get some hairline shrinkage cracks. These are normal and can be filled with decorator's caulking. The plaster won't fall off. Once it's bonded it can only be affected by things like dampness or structural movement.