Trades · Updated 2026
Plastering cost
Typical range£8–£5,000· Average re-skim cost (bedroom)
Plastering costs per m² and per room for 2025. In the UK, expect to pay between £8 and £5,000, with the typical project around £200 (average re-skim cost (bedroom)). Regional variation, specification tier and site access conditions all shift the final quote.
Quick answer: Plastering cost in the UK typically costs between £8 and £5,000 (Average re-skim cost (bedroom)). London and the South East run 20–35% above this range; the North, Wales and most of Scotland sit 5–15% below.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up house painting cost. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
Indicative price ranges (UK, GBP)
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Re-skim one room — Skim coat over existing plaster | £150–£350 |
Full re-plaster one room — Browning + skim, fresh walls | £400–£900 |
Full plaster (3 bed house) — All rooms, browning and skim | £2,500–£5,000 |
Plastering after rewire/extension — Patch / make-good after building work | £500–£3,000 |
Artex removal + re-skim (ceiling) — Per m² — Artex encapsulation or removal | £8–£20 |
Labour costs
Labour typically accounts for 75% of the total project cost in the UK.
Labour line items
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Plasterer day rate | £200–£350/day |
Labourer (mixing) | £100–£180/day |
Materials costs
Materials and fittings make up the remainder of the budget, with specification tier driving most of the variation.
Materials & fittings
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Bonding / browning coat | £5–£10/m² |
Finishing plaster (skim) | £3–£6/m² |
Plasterboard (per sheet) | £0–£0 |
Scrim tape | £2–£5/roll |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Region — London and the South East run 15–30% above national averages.
- ·Specification tier — premium materials and finishes can double the base cost.
- ·Access and site conditions — flats, restricted parking and listed buildings add time.
- ·Scope changes mid-project — late design decisions are the biggest cost overrun driver.
- ·Trade availability — quotes rise 10–20% in peak spring and summer months.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Choose skim-over rather than full re-plaster where the existing surface is sound.
- ·Hire labour-only and buy plaster from a builders' merchant trade counter.
- ·Combine multiple rooms in one visit to reduce mobilisation cost.
- ·Patch repair small areas rather than re-skim whole walls.
- ·Use plasterboard dot-and-dab on bad walls rather than full traditional plaster.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does plaster take to dry?
- Fresh plaster takes 4–6 weeks to fully dry and cure. You can paint after 2–4 weeks with a diluted 'mist coat' (50:50 paint and water) to allow the wall to breathe. Never apply wallpaper to plaster less than 4 weeks old.
- What is the difference between re-skimming and full re-plaster?
- Re-skimming applies a thin (2–3mm) finishing coat over existing sound plaster to create a smooth surface. A full re-plaster strips back to the brick or blockwork and applies a backing coat (browning) plus skim — necessary when existing plaster is blown, damp, or very uneven.
- How do I know if plaster needs replacing?
- Tap the wall — a hollow sound means the plaster has 'blown' (separated from the substrate). Visible cracks following joist lines, damp staining, and crumbling edges are all signs of failing plaster that should be replaced rather than skimmed over.