plastering prices

UK Plastering Prices — How Much To Plaster A Room In 2024?

Does your plastering look worn out, or does fresh paint chip, crack, or bubble? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, it’s time you re-plastered your room.

As I learned from bitter experience, wet plastering (as opposed to dry-lining) is a challenging skill that takes years to perfect, so I highly recommend hiring a professional plasterer.

Plastering prices vary considerably across the UK, and many dishonest plasterers are overcharging uneducated homeowners. Fortunately, I’ve hired many excellent plasterers and understand the associated costs.

So, to avoid being ripped off, follow the advice in this plastering cost guide before hiring a pro.


UK Plastering Prices — 2024 Average Cost Table

JobRoom SizeAverage CostCost RangeTime
Re-plaster small room.Approx room size 2.13m x 2.16m. Walls only. Skimming/cosmetic finish 5–8mm on top of existing plaster. £440 £378–£496 1–1.5 days
Re-plaster medium room.Approx room size 3.3m x 3m. Walls only. Skimming/cosmetic finish 5–8mm on top of existing plaster. £480 £430–£550 1–2 days
Re-plaster large room. Approx room size 6.1m x 5.03m. Walls only. Skimming/cosmetic finish 5–8mm on top of existing plaster. £650 £536–£690 2–3 days
Full new plaster small room. Approx room size 2.13m x 2.16m. Walls only. Remove and dispose of existing plaster. Dry lining and skim, cosmetic finish. £636 £595–£674 2–3 days
Full new plaster medium room. Approx room size 3.3m x 3m. Walls only. Remove and dispose of existing plaster. Dry lining and skim, cosmetic finish. £755 £575–£920 2–3 days
Full new plaster large room. Approx room size 6.1m x 5.03m. Walls only. Remove and dispose of existing plaster. Dry lining and skim, cosmetic finish. £1,300 £995–£1,375 3–4 days
Plaster small ceiling. Approx room size 2.13m x 2.16m. Overboarding and plaster. £275 £210–£352 6–10 hours
Plaster medium ceiling.  Approx room size 3.3m x 3m. Overboarding and plaster. £342 £270–£435 8–12 hours
Plaster large ceiling. Approx room size 6.1m x 5.03m. Overboarding and plaster. £540 £410–£736 2–3 days
Data courtesy of Which?

How To Use This Price Table

Targeting recommended plasterers, Which Magazine surveyed the average cost for standard plastering jobs and how long each should take. All their plastering prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT.

Armed with the information above, you should know what questions to ask, the rough price you can expect to pay, and approximately how long each job will take.

Pro Tip: Use this calculator to calculate rough costs for your plastering requirements.


In a Hurry? Find top-rated plasterers in your area by clicking the button below:


DIY or Pro?

The points below highlight why it makes more sense to hire an experienced professional to plaster your walls:

  • Plastering is a difficult skill that can’t be mastered by watching a few YouTube videos. You must hire a recommended pro with years of experience to achieve a great finish.
  • A professional plasterer will complete the job much faster than an amateur. Remember to value your time.
  • Plastering requires specialised tools and equipment. It’s not worth purchasing all this gear only for the occasional job.
  • Pro plasterers provide a guarantee and have insurance. Ensure they prove this before hiring them.

Considering all the above, it’s clear that professional plasterers are well worth the money.


Plastering Prices — UK Cost Guide

Plasterers often provide quotes based on area size in square meters. I prefer this ‘cost per square meter’ method as you can compare quotes accurately.

Room size is another costing method used by plasterers, as they often provide a quote for small, medium or large rooms.


Types of Plastering

The three most common types of plastering jobs are listed below, along with a rough time and cost estimate. Please note that these estimates include materials and labour but exclude VAT.

Also, these plastering prices vary across the country. Unsurprisingly, London and the South East are the most expensive. 

1. Re-plaster Walls (skimming)

This job involves skimming over the original plaster to improve the finish.

For a small room, look to pay around £400. A medium room should cost about £500, and a large room costs approximately £650.

The average time to complete the job is between 1 to 3 days, depending on the room size.

2. Fresh Plaster

This job involves stripping off the original plaster and often includes dry lining. Therefore, this job takes much longer than skimming.

Prices for small, medium and large rooms cost around £650, £850 and £1,200 respectively.

Old plaster requires a skip for disposal, which may increase the overall cost. Ask the plasterer if they’re including skip hire in their quote.

A typical fresh plastering job takes 2–4 days.

3. Plaster Ceilings

Plastering a ceiling is hard work, but using the right tools makes the job much easier.

Plastering a small ceiling costs roughly £275. It should cost between £375 to £525 for medium to large rooms.

The time to complete the whole job can take anything from 6–12 hours for a small ceiling, 8–12 hours for a medium-sized ceiling, and 2–3 days for a large ceiling.


Where Your Money Goes — Labour vs Materials Cost

The plastering prices above roughly break down as follows:

  • Labour = 40%.
  • Materials =13%.
  • Running Costs and Pre-Tax profit = 47%.

General Advice and Tips

In addition to the information provided above, here are some important tips & tricks to remember:


Plasterer Hiring Tips

  • Get a fixed job quote, not a per-hour rate. Fixed costs help you budget better and incentivise the plasterer to do the job ASAP.
  • Ask plasterers for references and photos of their previous work. One of the great things about Rated People is you can browse for plasterers in your local area and see all this info in one place. You can also submit jobs for them to bid on.
  • Get three separate quotes, but don’t just pick the cheapest. When considering all factors (experience, recommendations, timekeeping, tidiness, general attitude and appearance), pick the plasterer you feel is the best value for money.
  • Ensure clean-up. Plastering is very messy, so a good plasterer will cover your room with sheets and tape. Ensure they do this before hiring them.

Preparing a Room for Plastering

  • Clear rooms of furniture where possible.
  • If you need to move or add plug sockets, do this before plastering.
  • For deposing old plaster, either provide a skip or ask how much they charge. If your plasterer takes care of it, ensure they do it properly and don’t fly-tip.

Other Important Tips

  • Wait for the plaster to fully dry before painting. Check out our painting new plaster guide for more information.
  • If you’re only repairing a small spot, you may be able to patch-fix it yourself. Patch repairs are fine if you plan on papering over them. However, if you want a smooth finish to paint on, it’s best to skim the whole wall/ceiling.

Don’t fancy doing this job yourself? Find top-rated plasterers in your area by clicking the button below:


FAQ

Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about plastering prices in the UK:

How much do plasterers charge per hour?

Roughly £35 to £50 per hour, including materials. However, this depends on your location, with London and the South East being the most expensive areas.

How much does it cost to plaster per square foot?

Roughly £5 per square foot, including materials and labour.

How much does it cost to skim-coat walls?

Small room = £440, Medium room = £480, Large room = £650.

How do I calculate plastering costs?

For a rough estimate, multiply the square feet by £5. This number includes materials and labour.