If you’re wanting to have some rooms redecorated, or freshen up a tired wall or ceiling, how much is it actually gonna cost gonna cost to plaster? Plastering is one of the most crucial parts of decorating as it creates a smooth surface to work with, and ensures your walls will stay durable for years to come.
Prices can differ based on a number of factors, from the size of the room to what state your walls are in. In this guide, we discuss everything there is to know about plastering costs, including the average prices of plastering a room in the UK.
Average Prices to Plaster a Room
The average price to plaster a room will typically range from £450 to over £2000 depending on room size and how much preparation work is needed beforehand. Prices will typically cover labour costs, materials and the finishing touches, but please note that the prices listed below are general guidelines and are not a promised price.
Re-Plastering Walls
This involves skimming over the original plaster for a better finish.
- Small room – £450 – £600
- Medium room – £600 – £800
- Large rooms – £800+
Fresh Plaster Prices
This includes stripping the old plaster first before applying the new plaster.
- Small rooms – £1000+
- Medium sized rooms – £1500+
- Large rooms – £2000+
Room Size References
Below is a reference to show what is meant by the different room sizes.
- Small rooms – porch, downstairs bathroom etc.
- Medium rooms – Single bedroom, large bathroom etc.
- Large rooms – Living room, kitchen etc.
Cost to Plaster a Ceiling
Ceilings are often plastered at the same time as walls, but they can sometimes cost slightly more due to the difficulty of working overhead.
Average plastering costs for ceilings include:
- Small rooms – £450 to £550
- Medium rooms £500 to £600
- Large rooms £700+
Costs can increase if your ceilings have heavy texture as plasterers may need to apply extra coats.
Factors that Affect Plastering Costs
There are a few different factors that will affect how much your plastering job will cost.
Room size
The bigger the room is, the more plaster needed and more labourer hours.
For example, large living rooms will often cost more than small bedrooms as they have more square meters of wall space so bigger rooms will also take longer to plaster.
Condition of walls
The condition of your wall will also affect the price. If your walls are smooth and in good condition, this will make the skimming process quicker. However, if your walls are damaged, it will cost more to get them plastered.
Extra preparation work may be required such as:
- Removing existing plaster
- Fixing cracked walls
- Fixing holes in walls
- Patching up walls
- Installing plasterboards
- Applying bonding plaster before skimming walls
All of this will take up more of the plasterers time which will increase your overall cost.
Preparation work
As mentioned previously, preparation is key. The walls will need to be prepared before the plastering can begin which may include removing wallpaper, cleaning walls and applying a bonding agent.
If more preparation work is needed before plastering can begin, this will increase your costs.
Ceiling height
Most ceilings are standard height, so this isn’t usually an issue. But if you have taller ceilings, this can sometimes increase your plastering costs. Plasterers may need to use specialist equipment like scaffolding or even stilts.
High ceilings can sometimes increase your costs by up to 20-30%.
Type of plaster
There are many different types of plaster that can affect your cost. These include:
- Gypsum plaster
- Lime plaster
- Decorative plaster finishes
Gypsum plaster is the most common plaster used in modern homes as it provides a smooth finish and is also very affordable.
Lime plaster is generally used on older homes. Lime plaster is better for older properties as it is more breathable.
Decorative plaster finishes are when plasterers create textures on your walls and ceilings.
Location
Your location can also influence plastering costs.
Labour rates vary across the UK, with larger cities generally charging higher prices.
Typical labour costs include:
- Around £150 to £350 per day for a professional plasterer
- London and major cities often charge more
- Smaller towns may be slightly cheaper
Highly experienced plasterers may charge more due to their skill and reputation.
Additional Costs to Consider
When having rooms plastered, there are a few extra things you should consider that could affect your final price.
Waste Removal
If your plasterer needs to remove any existing plaster or debris, you may be asked to pay for waste removal.
This can typically cost anywhere between £100-£300 for skip hire or a waste removal company.
Floor & Furniture Coverings
Professional plasterers will usually provide their own coverings to protect your home typically protecing things such as:
- Floors
- Furniture
- Door and windows
- Electrical fittings
Protective materials can cost around £50-£150 but most plasterers will include this in their quote if needed.
Plastering Costs: New Build vs Old Properties
Depending on the age of your property, plastering work can sometimes cost you more.
Plastering work is usually a lot easier in newer homes as they have walls that are already made from plasterboard. Plasterers can apply a skim coat over the top of existing boards, and because the surfaces are already flat and stable, it takes less time.
Older properties usually have walls made from:
- Brick and mortar
- Stone
- Lath and plaster
- Old render systems
Plasterers may need to do more prep work on your walls before they can begin plastering. This could include:
- Fixing loose plaster
- Applying bonding plaster
- Patching up old plaster
If you have an older property, you may require lime plaster rather than the normal plaster which will usually needs to be applied by a specialist, often increasing the price.
Best Time of Year to Plaster
Plastering can be done all throughout the year, but there’s still ideal conditions for the best results
Ideal plastering conditions include:
- Moderate temperatures
- Good ventilation
- Low levels of humidity
These conditions allow plaster to dry evenly, reducing the risk of cracks.
- In the winter time, your plaster may take longer to dry. As during winter temperatures can be cooler and the air can have higher levels of humidity.
- In hot summer temperatures, your plaster may dry too quickly. When plaster dries too quicky, it could cause minor cracks.
Experienced plasterers will understand these conditions and know how to adapt their technique to suit.
Preparing a Room For Plastering
There are a couple things you can do to help prepare your room for plastering for free, helping your contractor get started with their job with less interuption.
If you wish to prepare the room yourself, here are some tips:
- Clear the room of furniture
- Take down curtains and blinds
- Remove wallpaper if possible
- Clear shelves and wall decorations
- Properly store away furniture that can’t be removed from the room
Professional plasterers should also provide floor and furniture coverings to protect your home.
How Long Does it Take to Plaster a Room?
The time required to plaster a room depends on the size of the space and the preparation work needed.
Typical plastering timeframes include:
- Small room – 1 day
- Medium room – 1-2 days
- Large room – 2-3 days
Once plastering has been complete, it will need time to dry before decorating. Typically plaster will take 3-5 days to dry (thicker coats of plaster can take longer).
How Long Will Plaster Last?
When applied correctly, plaster can last for decades. If you’ve got high-quality plastering within your home, expect it to last you 20 – 50 years or longer, although there are some instances where plaster can deteriorate faster. Common issues that cause plaster to deteriorate can include:
- Structural movement
- Damp or moisture
- Impact damage
- Poor quality of work
If you notice any cracks appearing on your walls, or plaster beginning to come away, it may be time to get your walls re-plastered.
DIY Plastering
Some people may want to plaster their own walls in attempt to save money as a DIY project, but plastering is a skill that takes years to perfect. If you don’t know what your doing, you’re likely to run into problems such as:
- Unsmooth surfaces
- Trowel marks visible on walls
- Cracking
Poor plastering can sometimes be more expensive to get repaired than hiring a professional in the first place.
Should I Replaster My Walls?
If your walls have started to crack, or you’re not happy with the finish, it may be worth considering getting your walls re-plastered. Other common signs you need your wall re-plastered include:
- Bulging plaster
- Large areas of damaged plaster
- Rough surfaces when decorating
- Wallpaper not sticking to walls
Re-pastering your walls will give you a smooth finish giving you better results when decorating your walls.
Why You Need Smooth Walls Before Decorating
Fresh plaster gives you nice smooth walls, leading to:
- Better paint adhesion.
- Improved wallpaper results.
- A higher quality finish overall.
If your walls are uneven your new coat of paint won’t look as good as it should.
If you need help getting your plastered perfect, contact Corinium today for a free quote.
Tips for Reducing Costs
If you want to know how you can reduce costs when plastering, follow these tips.
Prepare the room yourself
Take down curtains, remove furniture if possible and remove wallpaper.
Experience matters
Make sure the plasterers you are hiring have good reviews. Poor plastering can sometimes cost you more money to get fixed.
Plaster multiple rooms
If you’re doing some renovations, try getting multiple rooms plastered at once as some plasterers may reduce their price if your having multiple rooms done.
Plastering Services From Corinium
Here at Corinium we provide professional plastering services to homeowners in and around the Cotswold area. Our plastering services include:
So whether you need just one room done, or your entire property plastered, get in contact with our team today.