North West regional pricing

How Much Does a Plasterer Cost in Cheshire East?

Updated prices for . Cheshire East prices are typically 7% above the national average.

14 services priced
North West region
Updated

Price summary

Cheshire East Price Summary

Service Low Average High
Plaster a Room (Walls) £430 £695 £1,070
Plaster a Ceiling £270 £430 £695
Skim Coat (Over Existing Plaster) £320 £510 £695

Prices include labour and materials. VAT may apply. Based on North West regional pricing.

Full pricing

All Plasterer Prices in Cheshire East

Cheshire East is in Cheshire and plasterer costs here are 7% above the national average. Prices are based on real regional wage data from the Office for National Statistics.

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

Plaster a Room (Walls)

Low

£430

Average

£695

High

£1,070

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

£270

Average

£430

High

£695

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

£320

Average

£510

High

£695

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

£1,285

Average

£2,675

High

£4,815

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

£430

Average

£750

High

£1,285

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

£430

Average

£750

High

£1,175

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

£215

Average

£375

High

£590

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

£320

Average

£590

High

£965

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

£535

Average

£965

High

£1,605

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

£85

Average

£160

High

£270

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

£1,605

Average

£3,210

High

£5,350

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

£2,675

Average

£4,815

High

£7,490

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

£535

Average

£910

High

£1,500

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

£640

Average

£1,070

High

£1,710

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

Step by step

What's Involved in Hiring a Plastering

Plastering is one of those trades where the skill of the tradesperson makes all the difference — a good plasterer leaves walls perfectly smooth and ready for painting with minimal sanding.

1

Assess your walls or ceilings

Work out what needs doing — is the existing plaster crumbling, bulging, or just tired-looking? Tap the walls to check for hollow spots where plaster has come away from the brick. If it is just cosmetic, a skim coat may be enough. If the plaster is failing, a full replaster is needed.

2

Get quotes from plasterers

Invite two or three plasterers to look at the job. A good plasterer will tell you honestly whether you need a full replaster or just a skim. Ask for a fixed price per room rather than a daily rate. Check reviews and ask to see photos of previous work — the quality difference between plasterers is huge.

3

Prepare the room

Move all furniture to the centre of the room or out completely. The plasterer will cover everything with dust sheets, but plaster dust gets everywhere. Remove curtains, blinds, and anything hanging on the walls. The plasterer needs clear access to every wall and a water supply nearby.

4

Old plaster is removed if needed

For a full replaster, the old plaster is hacked off back to bare brick or block. This is the messiest stage and generates a lot of rubble. For a skim coat, the existing surface is prepared with PVA or a bonding agent to help the new plaster stick.

5

New plaster is applied

The plasterer applies the plaster in thin layers, building up to a smooth finish. A full replaster involves a scratch coat, then a finishing coat. A skim is typically two thin coats applied wet-on-wet. The plasterer works quickly as plaster sets fast — this is where experience really counts.

6

Drying and aftercare

Fresh plaster needs 2-6 weeks to fully dry before painting, depending on ventilation and temperature. Do not use a heater to speed this up as it causes cracking. The first coat of paint must always be a mist coat (watered-down emulsion) to seal the new plaster properly.

Regional comparison

How Cheshire East Compares

Average cost of plaster a room (walls) across regions.

Cheshire East
+7% £695
National Average
baseline £650
London
+24% £810

Local insights

What Affects Plasterer Costs in Cheshire East?

The North West has a distinctive housing stock dominated by red brick terraces from the cotton and manufacturing era, alongside mill conversions, inter-war semis and modern developments. Cheshire East has a range of property types and ages that can affect the scope and cost of work, with properties across Salford and Stockport varying in age and condition. With a population of null, it is a area where plasterer costs are above average. Victorian terraces with older infrastructure are common and often present challenges — plaster a ceiling here averages around £430.

The North West consistently sits below the national average for trade costs, and Cheshire East is no exception. Labour rates here are around 7% above the UK average and considerably lower than London or the South East. In Cheshire East, local demand for plasterer services varies depending on the mix of residential and commercial properties in the area. The wetter climate in the region can affect scheduling for external work, which some tradespeople factor into their quotes. With fewer tradespeople based locally, you may find slightly less choice, and it is worth booking ahead for larger jobs. Prices can still vary by 30-50% between different tradespeople for the same job, making multiple quotes essential.

Several factors affect plasterer costs in Cheshire East. Red brick terraces with limited rear access and shared party walls are common across Bolton and Wigan, and these can make work more complicated and expensive. Mill conversions with exposed brickwork or unusual layouts may also require specialist approaches. A common job like plaster a room (walls) typically costs around £695 in Cheshire East, while a k-rend exterior finish runs £2,675 to £7,490. As above average in the UK, Cheshire East residents generally get good value for plasterer work. Material and product choices also make a significant difference to the total.

When getting quotes in Cheshire East, aim for a minimum of three from different qualified professionals. Ask each one to visit and assess the work rather than quoting over the phone. A good plasterer will check the existing conditions, identify potential complications, and provide a clear cost breakdown. With fewer tradespeople based locally, you may find slightly less choice, and it is worth booking ahead for larger jobs. Be wary of quotes that seem significantly cheaper than others — they may be cutting corners on materials or quality. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews before hiring.

Depending on the work involved, you may also need painting & decorating (£215–£695), builder (£32,100–£85,600), or damp proofing (£270–£1,070) in Cheshire East.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about plasterer costs in Cheshire East.

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 Cheshire East in 2026?
Plaster a Room (Walls) in Cheshire East typically costs between £430 and £1,070, with the average being around £695. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and the specific requirements of your property.
Are plasterer prices cheaper in Cheshire East than London?
Cheshire East prices are 7% above the national average, though still £115 cheaper than London for plaster a room (walls).
How do I find a good plasterer in Cheshire East?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews, and ask whether the quote includes VAT and everything you need. A detailed written quote that breaks down all costs is a good sign. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews before hiring.
What affects plasterer prices in Cheshire East?
The main factors are the scope and complexity of what you need, the options and products chosen, and local market rates. Cheshire East rates are 7% above the national average. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
Do plasterer prices include materials in Cheshire East?
The prices shown 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.