To choose a good plasterer, get 2–3 written quotes, ask for portfolios of past work, and verify their public liability insurance. A reputable professional should offer transparent pricing, be able to explain their surface preparation methods, and deliver a smooth, even finish without bumps or trowel marks.
A reliable plasterer should provide references and examples of past work. If they refuse or have no portfolio, it's a warning sign. Quality plastering requires experience, especially for lime plastering or heritage properties.
Average Room Plastering Prices
The cost to plaster a room typically ranges between £400 and £1,500. Smaller rooms, such as single bedrooms, often cost £400–£700, while a medium-sized room like a double bedroom can range from £800–£1,100.
Common mistakes in this step are not cleaning the surface properly, not removing dust or old paint, and ignoring cracks and holes. Before you start on a plastering job, you have to make sure that the surfaces you're working on are thoroughly clean. This is to make sure that the plaster adheres properly to the surface.
Average Cost of Hiring a Plasterer
Plasterers may charge by the hour or provide a flat rate. Hourly rates in Australia typically range between $45 and $105. For a straightforward plasterboard installation, costs usually range between $15 to $30 per square metre, including both labour and materials.
Plastering cost typically ranges from ₹25–₹35 per sq ft for internal plaster and ₹30–₹45 per sq ft for external plaster, including both material and labour. Actual cost depends on thickness, mix ratio, wall condition, and labour rates.
Yes, you can plaster over existing plaster, commonly referred to as "skim coating". However, the old plaster must be structurally sound and properly prepped. If the old base is crumbling, cracked, or loose, the new plaster will fail.
Common Visual Clues to Bad Plastering
Wide, uneven or randomly placed cracks are a clear indicator. Cracks at the edges or corners may mean the plaster did not bond to the wall properly. Another clue is uneven surfaces. Walls might look wavy, bumpy or have noticeable dips.
Don't rush – a quick finish is a poor finish.
One of the worst things you can do for your plaster is rush the job. Plastering requires proper preparation of the surface and time to dry. Rushing through the steps will end in disaster for your finish.
Lath and plaster was a skilled craft and a time-consuming technique and the advent of cheaper, mass produced, pre-manufactured plasterboard meant lath and plaster largely fell out of favour by the 1930s and 1940s. Plasterboard was simply faster and less expensive to install.
The cost of plastering is $2 to $10 per square foot on average for walls and $2.50 to $12.00 per square foot for ceilings, depending on the plaster type and technique. The cost to plaster a 12'x'12 room is $1,200 to $6,000, while plastering a 2,000 SF house costs $16,000 to $100,000. *Including walls and ceilings.
Drywall is significantly cheaper than plaster. While the raw material costs of the boards are comparable, plastering requires highly specialized, time-consuming labor that costs up to 1.5 to 3 times more to install than drywall.
Yes, you can absolutely plaster a wall yourself. While it requires practice to get a perfectly smooth, professional finish, the process is highly manageable for DIYers if you start with small areas, use the right tools, and master the basic techniques.
Preparing the wall for plastering
What are the common defects of plastering?
A Level 3 qualification in Plastering, specifically the Level 3 NVQ, is an advanced, work-based qualification designed for experienced plasterers who want to formalise their skills, and progress within the construction industry.
Durability. Since plaster is a thicker material than drywall, it is a much more durable material. In fact, one of the easy ways to tell if a wall is made of drywall or plaster is if you can easily stick a push pin in the wall; it is most likely drywall.
How can I tell if my wall needs plastering or skimming? Plastering is needed for new builds, heavily damaged walls or structural repairs. Skimming is suitable for cosmetic updates, minor imperfections or refreshing older plaster.
Plasterer cost per hour
The average hourly rate for a plasterer in the UK is £25 per hour, but varies from £15 to £50 depending on where you live. A plasterer will usually give a price based on the size of the rooms and ease of access rather than how long it will take.
The surface to be plastered must be clean, free from dust, oil, grease or loose particles to ensure proper adhesion. Brick masonry joints should be kept rough to improve mechanical bonding between plaster and wall surface.
Plaster typically lasts 50 to 100 years and can even last a lifetime or centuries with active maintenance. However, the exact lifespan depends on the type of plaster and environmental conditions:
The best condition for allowing your newly plastered walls/ceiling to dry is to provide some ventilation by opening a couple of windows slightly. You can put the heating on, however, we recommend you keep this at a low temperature for a number of days after the plastering is completed.
Level 3: Specified for areas that do not require any decoration (ie. above ceilings or inside service shafts etc). These areas are not painted or decorated and the final appearance is not important. Level 4: The standard level of finish for plasterboard lining where normal decoration by painting is to be carried out.
1. Smooth finish: The surface should be even, smooth, and free of imperfections. 2. Uniform thickness: The plaster should be applied consistently, with no thin or thick spots.