Historic Kenwood

Anyone know of a reason, responsible, plaster repairman? I've got a problem with me ceiling that I can't fix myself. I've consulted a few handymen and a few neighbors. The handymen want to tear down the cieling to the slate boards and that seems excessive to me since there's only a few cracks and the textured skim coat is falling down. Plus the nieghbors I spoke with, both who have renovated their own Kenwood beauties, basically said, ''Don't go there.'' Help!