The average cost to plaster a room is between £500 – 1,500.
Plastering a home, room, ceiling or a single wall can be an important part of the building and decorating process.
Plastered walls result in a clean and smooth finish and help to maintain the durability of your walls. They also make it easier to paint and decorate, increasing the visual appeal of your home and adding value. But the big question is……. how much do plasterers charge?
The first step a plasterer would need to establish is the scale of the task as jobs are ranked by size and quoted as such.
If you are simply looking for a single wall to be plastered, that would be a small job. A whole room would be medium, and a whole house would be classed as a large job.
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How much to plaster a room?
The cost to plaster a room varies ultimately on it’s size and type of job. As you can see below, the cost to skim a room is significantly less than the cost of plastering a room.
| Job type | Skimming cost | Full plaster cost |
| Small room | Approx £400 | Approx £1,000 |
| Large open plan space | Approx £800 | Approx £2,000 |
| Hall, stairs and landing | Approx £650 | Approx £1,300 |
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How much to plaster a ceiling?
Expect to pay around £200 for a ceiling in a small room – £700 for a large room on average.
The cost to plaster a ceiling will be calculated in a similar way to the cost of a room or house. Jobs will be priced based on size, complexity and the condition of the existing ceiling.
Ceilings may need to be boarded up first to create a secure base and protect any light fittings.
High ceilings may need additional ladders or lifts and additional tradespeople to complete the job safely. If existing Artex or plasterboard needs to be removed this will also increase the cost.
Full wet plastering is more expensive than applying plasterboard to the ceiling and skimming over them to finish.
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Skimming vs plastering
Skimming is a similar process without the need to strip back to the bare walls.
It can be used to patch up small imperfections such as cracks or holes in existing plaster as long as the wall itself is in overall good condition and there is no crumbling plaster or masonry.
It is also a quick alternative to a full plaster when applied directly to plasterboard as it only requires one, thin finishing coat as opposed to several layers of thicker wet plaster.
Ahead of skimming, the surfaces will need to be cleaned and prepared to ensure no debris gets trapped underneath, plaster is then applied over the top of any existing problem areas.
This takes less time and uses less materials and labour than a full wet plaster so the cost of skimming a room is less than the cost to plaster a room. Your plasterer can advise you as to whether this is an option.
Cost of plastering a 3 bed house in the UK
You may need to makeover a new home, or have decided that it’s time to tackle that big renovation project. On average, you can expect to pay between £3,500 – 7,000 to plaster an entire house. Skimming will be less.
Plastering a whole house will usually require a two-person or more team, to speed up the process.
Other points to consider:
- Location: As with everything, regional hourly rates can vary widely. If you live in the south-east or London, expect to pay more for your job than someone living elsewhere. A plasterer’s day rate in those areas will be significantly higher.
- Age and condition of the property: Old walls tend to be in less than desirable conditions and may need several base layers before the plaster is able to adhere to the surface correctly. They may need plaster boarding over before the traditional plastering process can be started, this will take additional time.
- Duration of job: A large room with unusual features and high ceilings will take longer than a small, straightforward box bedroom to complete. Most rooms can be finished in one day and ready for painting once dried.
- The use of specialist equipment: Rooms with unusually high ceilings or awkward spaces such as landing or stairways may require specialist height equipment or additional teams, resulting in additional costs.
- Special details and finishes: Your plasterer may be able to fit and finish any additional aesthetic details such as cornices, coving or ceiling roses (particularly popular when restoring period properties) but you can’t just assume they will be comfortable or proficient in this. Consider hiring a tradesperson who specialises in these kinds of additional details. The work can be fiddly and time-consuming.
- The materials used
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Type of plaster and their cost
| Type of plaster | Pros | Cons | Price per 25kg bag |
| Gypsum | Provides a smooth surface. Quick drying and easy to apply. Retains water. |
Not suitable for areas prone to damp or condensation, or those regularly in contact with water such as bathrooms. | £8 |
| Clay | Porous. Helps regulate humidity and moisture from the air. Natural and totally toxin free. |
Not as durable as other plasters. Not suitable for very damp areas as it will not dry out efficiently in excessively damp environments. More expensive. |
£15 |
| Insulated plasterboards | Quick and effective. Improves energy efficiency. Great moisture resistance. |
Heavy and difficult to handle. Expensive compared to other options. |
£15 |
| Acoustic plasterboards | Helps to block and absorb sound and reduce sound levels, particularly useful in multi-occupancy dwellings such as student houses, hostels, flats and hotels. | Not effective unless fitted correctly. | £15 |
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Plastering cost per m²
On average, a plasterer will charge between £6 – £15 per m² to plaster a room, and charge a day rate of between £100 to £250, depending on the factors which we have outlined so far.
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