Everything you need to know.

Yes. M&M provides free, no-obligation quotations. We can discuss the property and the work required, and where necessary arrange to assess the job before providing the quotation.

No, we don't normally require a deposit. We may ask for payment towards materials as the work progresses, with the remaining balance paid in line with the agreed payment schedule. We'll explain the payment arrangements clearly before work starts.

Every property is different, so we always provide a free, no-obligation quote based on a site visit rather than a generic price.

We work across Bedford and surrounding towns including Milton Keynes, Luton, St Neots, Biggleswade, Sandy, Hitchin and Stevenage, and surrounding areas. See our full areas covered.

In many cases, yes. If the existing render is sound, well-bonded and in good condition, we can apply a new system over it, sometimes after repairs or a bonding coat. If it's cracked, hollow or failing, it usually needs to come off first so the new render has a solid base to key into. We'll check the condition of your walls during a site visit and recommend the right approach.

Rendering a house usually falls under permitted development and doesn't need planning permission, particularly for a like-for-like colour and finish. Permission can be needed for listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, or where the new render noticeably changes the appearance of the property. If you're unsure, it's worth checking with your local planning authority — we're also happy to talk you through it.

It depends on the size of the property, the render system used, scaffolding and the weather. As a rough guide, a straightforward render on an average semi-detached house typically takes one to two weeks from start to finish, with larger properties or full exterior transformations taking longer. We'll give you an accurate timeframe as part of your quote.

There isn't a single best render — the right system depends on your property's construction, the condition of the walls, exposure to weather and the finish you want. Silicone render is flexible, breathable and self-cleaning; monocouche gives a durable, through-coloured single-coat finish; traditional sand and cement suits period properties. We'll recommend the right system for your home as part of your free quote.

Rendering generally needs dry conditions and a minimum temperature during application and while it cures, so weather can affect scheduling. We keep a close eye on the forecast and won't apply render in frost, heavy rain, or if either is expected within the curing window — we'd rather adjust the start date than risk the finish. We'll always keep you updated if weather affects your booking.

A well-executed render can noticeably improve a property's kerb appeal and give it a more modern, well-maintained look, which buyers and valuers do take into account. It also protects the walls underneath from weather damage, which matters for the property's condition over time. We can't put a guaranteed figure on the value it adds since that depends on the local market and the property itself, but it's generally seen as a worthwhile improvement.

Fresh plaster needs to fully dry out, not just look dry to the touch. As a rough guide, allow about a week per coat in normal conditions — a standard skim coat is often ready in around 5-7 days, longer in cold or damp weather or on larger areas. Painting too soon can trap moisture and cause the finish to blow or discolour. We'll advise on drying time for your job, and a diluted mist coat is usually the safe first coat once it's ready.

Yes — in most cases we can skim straight over sound artex to give a smooth, modern finish, saving the cost and mess of stripping it off first. If the artex is loose, cracked or contains asbestos (common in ceilings from the 1960s-80s), it may need testing and safe removal or encapsulation before we plaster. We'll check the condition during a site visit and advise on the safest, most cost-effective approach.

No — wallpaper isn't a solid, stable surface for new plaster to bond to, and it will cause the plaster to bubble, peel or fail once it dries. Wallpaper (and usually any lining paper underneath) needs to be fully stripped back to bare wall or board before we skim. If the paper is proving stubborn to remove, we can advise on the best way to strip it, or factor the extra prep into your quote.

Skimming is the final smooth, paint-ready layer applied over a surface that's already solid and sound — existing plaster in good condition, blockwork, or plasterboard. Plasterboarding (dry lining) comes first where there isn't a suitable surface to skim onto, such as a new stud wall or a wall stripped back to bare brick: boards are fixed, joints taped and filled, then skimmed over the top. Most redecoration jobs only need skimming; boarding is only needed where the wall underneath isn't ready for it. We'll assess your walls and recommend the right approach.

It depends on the extent and cause of the damage. A small, isolated crack or blown patch can usually be cut out and patched, then blended into the surrounding plaster so it's not visible once painted. If the damage is widespread, caused by damp that's likely to recur, or the existing plaster is generally soft or hollow, it's usually better value to replaster the whole wall rather than patch repeatedly. We'll give you an honest recommendation based on what we find.

Plastering over an active damp problem will only mask it temporarily — the cause needs to be identified and resolved first, whether that's a leak, rising damp or condensation, otherwise the new plaster will fail again. Once the underlying cause has been fixed and the wall has dried out (or been treated with an appropriate damp-proofing system where needed), we can replaster to a normal finish. If you're not sure what's causing damp on a wall, we're happy to take a look and advise.

Plastering is inevitably a bit dusty and wet since we mix and apply plaster on site, but we keep disruption to a minimum: dust sheets over floors and furniture, protection for doors, windows and fixtures, and a clean-down at the end of each day rather than leaving mess to build up. Rooms generally need to be cleared of furniture, or have it moved to the centre and covered, before we start. We'll talk you through what to prepare before work begins.

Most walls and ceilings in good condition just need a single skim coat, around 2mm thick, applied in two passes for a smooth, even finish. Where a wall has been stripped back to brick or blockwork, or freshly plasterboarded, it typically needs a base coat first to build up an even surface before the finishing skim goes on. We'll assess the condition of your walls and confirm exactly what's needed as part of your quote.

Pricing depends on the size of the room, the condition of the existing walls and how much preparation is needed, so we always provide a free, no-obligation quote based on what we see on site rather than a generic price.

Modern render systems need very little upkeep. An occasional gentle wash — a soft brush and a low-pressure rinse, never a high-pressure jet washer — every few years keeps it looking sharp, and it's worth a visual check now and then so any cracks or damage get picked up early rather than left to spread. Beyond that, a properly installed system is largely maintenance-free.

Rendering is exterior work, so it shouldn't disrupt daily life inside your home. We use scaffolding or access equipment as needed, protect windows, doors and any nearby plants or surfaces before starting, and keep the site tidy throughout rather than leaving debris until the end. We'll talk you through what to expect before work begins.

Yes. We stand behind the quality of our workmanship. If you have any concerns after the work is completed, contact us and we'll inspect the issue. Where a problem is found to be related to our workmanship, we'll return and put it right. Any manufacturer or product warranties are separate and depend on the system used, and specific warranty details can be confirmed with your quotation.