A skilled plasterer can typically skim 20 to 𝟒𝟎 𝐦𝟐 (or cover up to 50 m2) of wall per day. For a standard average-sized room, this means one or two walls plus the ceiling or roughly one full room can usually be completed in a single working day.
How much a plasterer can do in a day depends on the technique, wall condition, preparation required, and room complexity. As a general guide: Skimming: 20–40 m² per day. Full plastering: 10–20 m² per day.
Most plasterers in the UK charge by the day. Typical daily rates range from £150 to £250, depending on location, skill level, and job complexity. In areas like Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, prices often sit around the middle of that range.
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.
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.
Entry-level plasterers can expect to start between £18,000 and £22,000 while they refine their technique. This initial period is a vital investment in your future earning power. Once you have three to five years of experience, your market value typically climbs into the £25,000 to £35,000 bracket.
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.
Job duration: 1–2 days for a small room: up to a week for larger or more complex projects. Factors that will impact the overall cost: preparation, the number of coats required, the overall complexity of the job, the plasterer's experience and your location all influence daily rates.
Plaster is a building material used for the protective or decorative coating of walls and ceilings and for moulding and casting decorative elements. In English, "plaster" usually means a material used for the interiors of buildings, while "render" commonly refers to external applications.
Yes, plaster walls are generally more expensive than drywall. While standard drywall installation costs between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot, installing new plaster costs between $2 and $15 per square foot, depending on the type of plaster and labor required.
Hours of Work
Plasterers work a 39 hour week.
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.
The average day rate for a plasterer is around £180 to £250.
Plasterers in London can charge £300 per day due to higher living and operating costs. The total cost of your plastering job is made up of two main elements, labour and materials.
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.
Salary range for the majority of workers in Plasterers - from $5,462 to $8,810 per month - 2026. A Plasterers typically earns between $5,462 and $8,288 gross per month at the start of the job.
Plaster is rarely used in modern construction primarily because drywall (gypsum board) is faster, significantly cheaper, and easier to install. While plaster is highly durable and offers better soundproofing and fire resistance, traditional multi-coat plastering requires highly skilled labor and lengthy drying times, making it inefficient for modern housing demands.
As you gain experience and your skills improve, your earnings can rise to between £25,000 and £35,000 per year. Experienced plasterers who have built a strong reputation can earn £40,000 or more, especially if they take on specialist or high-demand work.
Professional plastering is part of property value growth, it's not just about looks. From curb appeal to long-term durability and energy efficiency, expert plastering adds real value to any property.
Plaster's main disadvantages include high installation costs, labor-intensive application, and brittleness, which leads to cracks over time. It requires skilled professionals, is difficult to repair, and can interfere with Wi-Fi signals.
Drywall ceilings
Drywall finishes on ceilings are a common alternative to plaster ceilings because they are smooth, can easily be painted, and are typically less expensive.
How long does it take to plaster a 3 bedroom house? It will take between 5 to 8 days on average to complete the plastering of a 3 bedroom house. This however depends on the job requirements and whether you are having a full replaster or a simple skim.
The cheapest way to replace or update a ceiling is to cover the existing damaged ceiling rather than tearing it down. You can cover it using paint, adhesive styrofoam ceiling tiles, or by installing a Trusscore Wall & Ceiling Board system, saving thousands in demolition and disposal costs.
Gypsum plaster is one of the most common types of plaster used in the interior of homes. It's often used in conjunction with plasterboard, but can also be used over existing plaster. "Gypsum is often the go-to plastering option when building, renovating or extending a home.