Plastering a room in your home can make the world of difference. Not only can it provide a neutral and long-lasting surface for your walls, but it makes all future decorating a lot easier.
Whilst some people may choose to complete the job themselves, achieving a perfectly smooth and even surface is near impossible for someone who is untrained and inexperienced. When you have a reputable and qualified plasterer, you can rest assured that the work will be of a professional standard.
So, how much does plastering cost?
The price for your plastering will also depend on the size and condition of the room, of course, but it will also depend on who you work with.
Most large home improvement companies carry higher prices in order to pay for advertising and multiple branches. Smaller plastering companies, however, tend to have much lower running costs; meaning they can generally offer lower prices for the same work.
To get quotes for fully trained plasterers near you, simply fill in your details in the form below. We’ll use them to match you up with 3-4 experienced local plastering companies that will best suit your needs.
The most common types of plastering jobs
New plaster walls
This is a popular choice for homeowners particularly when they come to selling their property. New plaster walls provide a blank canvass for potential buyers to put their own stamp on the house if they move in and also helps remove and wear and tear visible on the old walls.
The job starts by stripping the existing plaster and replacing it – the process involves dry lining, skimming, and finally applying a cosmetic finish to the plaster.
How much does it cost to plaster a room?
To plaster a medium sized room, you can expect to pay anywhere from £480 to £766, and the work will typically take two to three days to complete. To find out quotes from local plasterers for your room, please fill out our form below.
Skimming walls
When a wall has become uneven, chipped or even cracked, it will need to be replastered.
Skimming, also known as top coat plastering, is the most common type of job for plasterers and can usually be carried out by a single person on their own. They simply skim over your existing plaster to correct any blemishes that may have appeared.
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Why would someone want plastering?
If you want to redecorate your home to the highest standards, it is very likely that you will need a plasterer. Particularly in older homes, years of wear and tear can cause walls to become dented or bumpy. While the structure of the wall may be absolutely sound, these imperfections can be an eyesore.
And, it is likely that any further home improvements will depend on having a smooth and even surface beforehand. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or a new layer of wallpaper, bumpy walls can be difficult to decorate and ruin the look of the end-result.
Plastering can both provide the foundation for future decorating or work as a standalone neutral décor option.
Rendering a dry wall smooth can be extremely difficult and generate a great deal of dust. Rendering a plastered wall, on the other hand, both creates less mess and takes less time since it does not need to be dried in order to apply multiple coatings.
When looking to sell a property, many estate agents recommend making the house a blank canvass to allow potential buyers to better imagine the home as their own.
This could involve covering a brightly coloured wall, smoothing out an Artex ceiling, or simply coating each room to create a neutral, uniform appearance throughout the home. Many landlords also choose to plaster their properties to achieve this look before letting them out.
Unplastered walls are also a lot less durable than those that have been plastered. This is because a chemical reaction occurs when the water escapes the plaster mixture, making plastered walls incredibly strong.
It provides a strong and solid foundation to the bare walls, meaning it can support more weight; be it wallpaper or a hanging picture.
What are the disadvantages of wall plastering?
A common problem with plastered walls is that they can be easily damaged, depending on the type of plaster in your home.
Traditionally plastered walls, usually seen in homes built around 1950, tend to display damage in the form of cracks, busted corners, or have small chunks missing. Plasterboard, on the other hand, is usually only damaged by nail holes. In some cases, skimmed plasterboard can also develop hairline cracks.
These issues are common signs of wear and tear, but they can be difficult to repair sometimes – particularly if the plaster has also become discoloured over time too.
Water can also be extremely damaging to certain types of plaster. If the plaster on your ceiling starts to develop brown water stains, it could be the first sign of a leak. If this happens, you may be able to resolve it with a stain blocking primer and by sealing the leak.
But if you notice part of the plaster is bubbling or bulging, either with or without water stains present, then the water damage is much more severe.
In this case, the affected portion of plaster may need to be removed and patched up. If left untreated, mould could potentially develop in the water damaged area.
Water and plaster do not tend to mix well so, if it is a leak that is causing the damage, make sure you fix it beforehand.
Since plasterers must be specially trained in the application, plastering prices tend to be higher than those of other alternative methods. However, many would argue that the cost of plastering is an investment due to its durability; keeping your home looking better for longer.
Click To Compare QuotesAre there wall finishing alternatives to plaster?
Plaster can be used to both prepare a wall for further home improvements or as a standalone final look for your home. If you’re looking for alternative to plaster to refinish your wall, there are a number of other options you could consider, depending on your budget and the final look you would like to achieve.
For example, you could refinish a wall using:
- Tiling,
- Bare brick,
- Concrete, or
- Timber panels.
However, if you’re planning on painting or wallpapering your home but have bumpy or uneven walls, a plaster skim coat will provide you with a blank and smooth surface before you start.
You may also be able to create an even surface by sanding and filling any peaks and troughs in the wall. This DIY option will be able to treat the most noticeable imperfections in the wall; however, it will be extremely difficult to achieve a uniform level across the entire surface using this method.
Lining paper is also a common alternative to wall plastering or skimming. The paper can be applied to walls like typical wallpaper to help create a more even surface for painting or finishing.
It is sold in different grades of thickness depending on the condition of the wall surface you need to cover and can also be applied in layers. It is often best to paint over this kind of paper in lighter colours to help cover the slight unevenness that will still be visible.
If you’re looking for an alternative to plastering your ceiling, Artex can provide a more traditional DIY option. Artex is common in older properties in the UK and is recognised by its stippled and swirled patterns – making it easier to refinish a ceiling without the need for expert plastering skills. However, Artex is not suitable for smooth, modern looks.
Click To Compare QuotesWho can I hire to plaster my home?
Some people choose to attempt this home improvement themselves but this is not always the best option.
Depending on the condition of the wall and the effect you’re hoping to achieve, it is likely you will need to hire a professional plasterer for your project.
That’s because plastering can fall under two different categories: solid and fibrous.
Solid plastering involves applying plaster finishes to create a perfectly smooth surface on walls, floors and ceilings. Fibrous plastering is used for more intricate needs, such as creating ornamental columns or ceiling roses.
Some plasterers may also offer a ‘dry lining’ service, which is essentially building you a new indoor wall and floor partitions out of plasterboard. Not all plasterers offer this service, so it is important that you check with each provider.
To find trusted local plasterers in your area, please fill in your details in the above form.
Should my installer be a member of anything (trade body, government registration scheme, etc?)
Whilst this may not be an essential requirement, there are several trade bodies which represent plasterers. Members of these organizations will be held to a certain standard, meaning you may feel more comfortable having them complete your work.
For example, they could be a member of:
How long does it take to plaster a room?
Shopping around for your plastering project, you may have noticed that many companies advertise their plastering prices per square metre rather than by the room. Of course, not all rooms or walls requiring plastering will be the same size or condition, so it can be hard to set a definitive time it will take to get your plastering done.
In most cases, however, a professional plasterer will be able to complete a single room in one to two days.
Before I have my room plastered, what should I ask a potential plasterer?
In some cases, plasterers will include photos of their previous work on their websites to let you get a feel of the quality of their work. If they don’t have any on there, or if they do not have a website at all, then you can always ask them yourself.
It can also be difficult to find the right plasterer for you if the company only advertises a single plastering cost. Make sure you tell them about the current condition of your wall and the results you’re hoping to see. Then, you can find out what exactly is possible, and how it may affect how much your plastering costs.
Why should I get quotes for plastering from this website?
To find 3-4 reputable and experienced plasterers near you who will provide you with fully-costed quotes at no obligation, you can simply fill in your details in the form above. We’ll work to match you to trusted local traders in your area for you to choose from.
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Keith Wiley says
New build ready for plastering with plasterboards already fixed.
Approximately 300 sqm of walls and 150 sqm of ceilings.
Most of the rooms are standard height but the main living room (5.5m x 5.5m) has vaulted ceiling between 3.5 – 4m high.
Marek says
Small Rom 2m ×2 m price for takie
Putting New silly and construction of the repertion New voll
Marion Dunmore says
Have 22 sq meters of flood damaged hallway and lounge walls to be re-plastered — damaged paperlined areas cleared/removed; new plaster applied & skimmed in mid-terrace Edwardian house. Need estimate for insurance claim.