Price Guide

How Much Does a Plasterer Really Cost?

Compare prices for 14 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

14 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Plasterer Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Plaster a Room (Walls)

Low

£400

Average

£650

High

£1,000

1-2 days

More details

Completely replastering all the walls in a room. The old plaster is removed, then a base layer and smooth finishing layer are applied. The result is perfectly smooth walls ready for painting or wallpapering.

~78% labour, ~22% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and number of walls
  • Condition of existing walls
  • Whether old plaster needs removing first
  • Ceiling height and access difficulty

Plaster a Ceiling

Low

£250

Average

£400

High

£650

4-8 hours

More details

Replastering a ceiling in a standard room. Includes preparing the surface, applying plaster and finishing smooth. More difficult than walls due to overhead working.

~80% labour, ~20% materials

What affects the price

  • Ceiling size and room layout
  • Whether old plaster or Artex needs removing
  • Access (scaffolding in high-ceilinged rooms)
  • Condition of the lath or plasterboard above

Skim Coat (Over Existing Plaster)

Low

£300

Average

£475

High

£650

4-8 hours

More details

Applying a thin smooth layer of plaster over your existing walls or new plasterboard. This creates a fresh, smooth surface for painting without needing to strip the old plaster off completely. Cheaper and quicker than a full replaster.

~88% labour, ~12% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and wall area
  • Condition of existing plaster underneath
  • Whether PVA or bonding agent is needed
  • Number of coats required

Render an Exterior Wall

Low

£1,200

Average

£2,500

High

£4,500

3-5 days

More details

Applying a fresh render finish to the outside walls of a typical semi-detached house. Render is the smooth or textured coating that protects the brickwork underneath. Includes preparation, two layers of render, and painting.

~68% labour, ~32% materials

What affects the price

  • Wall area and property size
  • Render type (sand/cement, monocouche, silicone)
  • Scaffolding requirements
  • Whether old render needs removing first

Artex Removal and Replaster

Low

£400

Average

£700

High

£1,200

1-2 days

More details

Removing the textured (Artex) finish from a ceiling or walls and replastering it smooth. Important: in homes built before 2000, the texture may contain asbestos and needs professional testing first. If asbestos is found, specialist removal costs significantly more.

~85% labour, ~15% materials

What affects the price

  • Area size (ceiling, walls or both)
  • Whether asbestos testing is needed
  • Thickness and stubbornness of the Artex
  • Whether steaming or scraping is used

Dot and Dab Plasterboard

Low

£400

Average

£700

High

£1,100

1-2 days

More details

Sticking plasterboard sheets directly to the walls using blobs of adhesive, then plastering over them to a smooth finish. This is a quick way to cover uneven or damaged walls, or to add an insulation layer. Price per average room.

~71% labour, ~29% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and number of walls
  • Wall condition and how uneven they are
  • Whether insulation board is used behind
  • Skim finish included or plasterboard only

Coving Installation

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£550

3-5 hours

More details

Fitting decorative moulding where the walls meet the ceiling. Includes cutting neat angles at the corners and fixing with adhesive. Gives rooms a more finished, traditional look. Price per average room.

~71% labour, ~29% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and number of corners
  • Coving size and profile (plain, ornate, Victorian)
  • Material (plaster, polyurethane, polystyrene)
  • Ceiling height and access

Screeding a Floor

Low

£300

Average

£550

High

£900

1 day

More details

Laying a smooth, level layer of cement over a concrete floor to create a flat surface for tiles or other flooring. This is needed when the bare floor underneath is too rough or uneven. Price is for an average room of around 15-20 square metres.

~64% labour, ~36% materials

What affects the price

  • Floor area and screed depth
  • Screed type (sand/cement, liquid, self-levelling)
  • Whether underfloor heating pipes are being covered
  • Drying time requirements

Damp Proof Plastering

Low

£500

Average

£900

High

£1,500

1-2 days

More details

Replastering damp-affected walls using special waterproof plaster that stops moisture and salt deposits from coming through. Used after rising damp or water getting in through walls has been fixed. Price per average room.

~75% labour, ~25% materials

What affects the price

  • Area affected by damp
  • Severity and type of damp (rising, penetrating)
  • Whether a damp proof course is needed first
  • Number of coats and drying time between them

Plaster Repair (Patch)

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£250

1-3 hours

More details

Repairing a damaged patch of plaster — such as a crack, hole, or a section that has come away from the wall. The damaged area is cut out, filled, and finished smooth to match the rest of the wall.

~83% labour, ~17% materials

What affects the price

  • Size of the damaged area
  • Whether plasterboard backing is needed
  • Matching existing wall texture
  • Access and location of the damage

External Pebbledash

Low

£1,500

Average

£3,000

High

£5,000

3-5 days

More details

Applying a pebbledash finish to exterior walls. Involves rendering the wall and throwing small stones into the wet render. Price is for a typical semi-detached house front elevation.

~72% labour, ~28% materials

What affects the price

  • Wall area and property size
  • Stone type and colour choice
  • Scaffolding requirements
  • Whether old render needs removing first

K-Rend Exterior Finish

Low

£2,500

Average

£4,500

High

£7,000

4-7 days

More details

Applying a premium silicone render finish (such as K-Rend) to the outside walls of your home. The colour is mixed into the render itself, so it never needs painting. It also repels water and resists dirt. Price for a typical semi-detached house.

~69% labour, ~31% materials

What affects the price

  • Wall area and property size
  • K-Rend product chosen (silicone, acrylic, TC)
  • Scaffolding and access requirements
  • Whether insulation boards are included (EWI system)

Plasterboard Partition Wall

Low

£500

Average

£850

High

£1,400

1-2 days

More details

Building a new internal wall to split a room in two. A frame is built from timber or metal, covered with plasterboard on both sides, then finished smooth with plaster, ready for painting. Price includes a doorway.

~72% labour, ~28% materials

What affects the price

  • Wall length and height
  • Whether a doorway is included
  • Soundproofing or fire rating requirements
  • Skim finish or tape and joint finish

Plaster a Hallway and Stairs

Low

£600

Average

£1,000

High

£1,600

2-3 days

More details

Replastering the walls of a hallway, landing and stairwell. More expensive than a standard room due to height, awkward angles and the need for scaffold towers or stair platforms.

~80% labour, ~20% materials

What affects the price

  • Hallway length and stairwell height
  • Number of floors and landings
  • Access difficulty and scaffold tower hire
  • Condition of existing plaster

Popular locations

Plastering Costs by City

London

£495–£1,245

Birmingham

£375–£935

Leeds

£390–£970

Glasgow

£420–£1,050

Sheffield

£395–£985

Manchester

£390–£975

Bradford

£350–£875

Edinburgh

£455–£1,140

Liverpool

£395–£990

Bristol

£430–£1,075

Coventry

£385–£960

Leicester

£340–£855

Local pricing

Find Plasterer Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local plasterer pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Plaster a Room (Walls) by City

Average cost of plaster a room (walls) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £810
Manchester
-2% £635
Birmingham
-7% £605
Glasgow
+5% £680
Bristol
+7% £700
Leeds
-3% £630
Cardiff
-2% £640
Belfast
-13% £565

Overview

What Does a Plasterer Do?

A plasterer provides professional services covering plastering, skimming, rendering, screeding and wall finishing work. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified plasterer ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a plasterer whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of plasterer work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for plasterer services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a plasterer, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable plasterer will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a plasterer.

Painting & Decorating UK price guide £200–£650 Builder UK price guide £30,000–£80,000 Damp Proofing UK price guide £250–£1,000 Carpentry UK price guide £70–£200 Tiling UK price guide £400–£1,200 Bathroom Fitting UK price guide £4,500–£12,000 Kitchen Fitting UK price guide £3,000–£8,000 Flooring UK price guide £300–£900

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about plasterer costs in the UK.

What is the difference between plastering and skimming?
Plastering typically refers to applying a full coat of plaster (undercoat and finish coat) to bare brickwork or new plasterboard. Skimming is applying just a thin finish coat over existing plasterboard or old plaster to create a smooth surface. Skimming is quicker and cheaper since only one coat is needed.
How long does plaster take to dry before I can paint?
New plaster typically takes 2-6 weeks to fully dry depending on room ventilation, temperature and humidity. You can tell it is ready when it turns a uniform light pink or white colour with no dark patches. Painting too soon traps moisture and causes the paint to peel. The first coat should always be a mist coat (diluted emulsion).
Should I replaster or use plasterboard?
Dot-and-dab plasterboard is quicker, cheaper and ideal for covering rough or uneven walls. Re-plastering gives a thinner, more traditional finish and does not reduce room size. For very uneven walls, plasterboard is usually the better option. For small patch repairs, re-plastering the affected area is more practical.
What is rendering and how is it different from plastering?
Rendering is the external equivalent of plastering — it is a cement-based coat applied to outside walls for protection and appearance. Interior plastering uses gypsum-based plaster which is not waterproof. Render can be smooth, textured, or coloured, and modern monocouche (through-colour) renders do not need painting.
How much does a plasterer charge per room?
A skim coat on a standard room costs £300-£650. A full replaster (stripping old plaster and applying new) costs £400-£1,000 per room. Ceilings are quoted separately and cost £250-£650 each. Prices vary by region — London and the South East are typically 20-30% higher than the Midlands or North.
Can I plaster over old wallpaper?
No. Wallpaper must always be stripped before plastering. Plaster will not bond properly to wallpaper and will crack and fall off. The walls need to be stripped back to a clean, stable surface. If the plaster underneath the wallpaper is in good condition, a skim coat over the top is sufficient.
How do I know if my plaster needs replacing?
Signs that plaster needs replacing include large cracks that keep reappearing after filling, hollow-sounding patches when you tap the wall, damp staining or salt deposits coming through, and plaster that crumbles when touched. Small cracks and minor damage can usually be patched without replastering the whole wall.
What is K-Rend and is it worth the extra cost?
K-Rend is a brand of silicone render that comes in a range of colours mixed into the product itself, so it never needs painting. It is breathable, water-repellent, and low-maintenance. It costs more than traditional sand and cement render, but you save on repainting every 5-10 years. For a typical semi-detached house, K-Rend costs £4,500-£7,000 compared to £2,500-£4,500 for traditional render.
How messy is plastering?
Very. Plastering is one of the messiest trades. Expect plaster dust on every surface in the room, splashes on floors, and dust spreading into adjacent rooms through doorways. A good plasterer will lay dust sheets and cover furniture, but you should remove anything valuable or delicate from the room. Plaster washes off hard floors easily but is harder to remove from carpets.
How much does a plasterer cost in the UK?
The most common plasterer job, plaster a room (walls), costs between £400 and £1,000 nationally, with an average of £650. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects plasterer prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable plasterer?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do plasterer prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a plasterer?
Demand for plasterer services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.