damp wall

Unless it got REALLY wet and is faling off the wall, old lime plaster dries out perfectly well. It would be different if it were the modern stuff. Let it dry out and decide what needs doing then.

Suck it and see. If it dries out ok, you may well be able to just skim it.

If it's still adhering to the wall it should dry out ok if original. You can tell by tapping it with your knuckle - it will sound hollow if loose.

Just to add it will require probably several coats of dilute PVA before skimming with modern finish otherwise it will crack. So in terms of overall cost including time your plasterer may be right.

Lime is better skimmed with lime. Sounds like either the plaster there has disintegrated or he's just looking for more work. All one normally need do is give the wall time to dry out - which may take months.

NT

Thanks for the advice. The plaster is in good condition and it's only a small patch between the window and end of the wall so I think I'll just leave it and let it dry out.

Charlie

If you are in a hurry to get it sorted before Xmas etc, casge, beg, steal or borrow a Dehumidifier, and dry it out before redeccying

I'm doubtful it would help much. However, they can do a lot of damage, e.g. giving you dish shaped floorboards if you excessively dry out one side of them relative to the atmosphere on the other side. Good ventilation is all that should be required.