Plastering cost per m² in the UK
Plastering in the UK typically costs between £15 and £35 per m² for a standard skim coat over existing plaster, and £25–£50 per m² for a board-and-skim job on stud walls. A full small room (around 35–45 m² of wall area) usually runs £450–£850, while plastering a whole 3-bed house lands at £3,500–£6,500.
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Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Skim coat over existing plaster (per m²) | £15–£25/m² |
Board & skim — stud wall (per m²) | £25–£45/m² |
Full re-plaster — hack off & re-skim (per m²) | £35–£55/m² |
Ceiling skim (per m²) | £18–£35/m² |
Small room (35–45 m² walls + ceiling) | £450–£850 |
Full 3-bed house re-skim | £3,500–£6,500 |
Labour costs
Plasterers typically charge per m² or per day. UK day rate averages £180–£280 outside London and £240–£380 in London.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Plasterer day rate (UK avg) | £180–£280/day |
Plasterer day rate (London) | £240–£380/day |
Hourly rate | £25–£45/hr |
Two-coat plaster (per m²) | £22–£40/m² |
Mist coat / decoration prep (per m²) | £3–£8/m² |
Materials costs
Materials are a small share of plastering cost. Multi-finish bag, scrim tape and PVA dominate.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Multi-finish plaster (25 kg bag) | £10–£18/bag |
Plasterboard 12.5 mm (per sheet) | £8–£18/sheet |
PVA / bonding agent | £12–£30 |
Scrim tape (90 m roll) | £4–£12 |
Beads & angle trims | £1.5–£5/m |
Per-m² ranges by job type
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Skim coat | £15–£25/m² |
Board & skim | £25–£45/m² |
Full re-plaster | £35–£55/m² |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Wall condition — old, blown plaster needs hacking off first.
- ·Ceiling height — over 2.7 m needs platforms.
- ·Type of substrate — stud walls take longer to board out.
- ·Number of beads, angles and reveals (windows, doorways).
- ·Region — London adds 30–45%.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Skim over existing plaster where it's sound — avoid full hack-off.
- ·Have all electrical and plumbing first-fix done before the plasterer arrives.
- ·Order the right amount of plaster — going back for one bag mid-job loses an hour.
- ·Group multiple rooms into one visit to share the day rate.
- ·Choose end-of-week start dates so plaster can cure over weekend before decoration.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does plaster take to dry?
- Touch dry in 24–48 hours; full cure for decoration in 5–10 days depending on humidity and ventilation.
- How much does it cost to plaster a small room?
- £450–£850 for a typical 35–45 m² wall and ceiling area, including a mist coat and two-coat plaster.
- Should I plaster or skim?
- Skim if existing plaster is sound and flat. Full re-plaster if walls are blown, damp or have been hacked back to brick.
- Can I paint straight onto fresh plaster?
- No — apply a watered-down mist coat first (1:4 emulsion to water). Straight paint won't bond to new plaster.
- Is plastering a 2-person job?
- Big ceilings and high walls go faster with two; standard rooms are usually one plasterer with a labourer for mixing.
- Does plastering need Building Control sign-off?
- No, unless it's part of structural alteration. Standard re-plastering and board-and-skim are not notifiable works.