In 2023, what is the average cost of plastering, and what are some ways to cut costs?
Is your home's exterior plaster looking a little worn, or are you tired of re-painting a room inside only to be met with peeling patches and paint that never lasts?
These could be signs that your home's plaster needs to be refreshed. Although plastering appears to be as simple as icing a cake, is it something you should attempt as a DIY project?
In this article, we'll go over that, as well as:
- What is the cost of plastering?
- What factors influence the cost of plastering?
- How to Cut Costs on Plastering
- What is the process of plastering or skimming a room?
- How to Locate and Employ a Professional Plasterer
If you want to update the look of your home's walls but aren't sure if plastering is the best option, keep reading to find out exactly what you need to do.
What Is the Price of Plastering?
The cost of plastering a room or an entire house is determined by the amount of plastering to be done.
To calculate the cost, most plasterers will measure how many square metres of wall space will need to be covered. This is primarily due to the number of plasterboards and other materials that the plasterer will need to purchase, the length of time the work will take, and the labor involved.
Another popular method is based on the room's size. Based on room size, here are some cost estimates:
If your room's walls are in good shape but just need a touch-up, consider skimming instead of a full re-plastering job. This will not only save you time, but it will also save you money.
This is one of the most common jobs for plasterers, and some DIY-savvy homeowners may be able to complete it on their own.
Skimming walls typically costs between £100 and £400, depending on the size of the walls and the complexity of the job.
Skimming a standard small room will cost between £400 and £550, with a one-day labor time. A medium room will cost between £450 and £600 for one to two days, while a large room will cost between £550 and £700 for two to three days.
If your walls are in poor condition and need to be completely redone, replastering is the better option than attempting to hide the flaws with a light skim coat.
This job takes slightly longer than skimming because it involves stripping the existing plaster. Other aspects of the job include dry lining, skimming, and applying a cosmetic finish to the plaster.
A small room will cost around £600 to £700, a medium room will cost £650 to £900, and a large room will cost £1,400 to £1,400, with labor taking two to four days.
You may also want to have your ceilings checked at the same time to reduce the extra costs incurred by multiple call-outs. Plastering the ceiling is a labor-intensive task that can be completed quickly with the right tools and equipment.
Replastering the ceiling in a standard small room can cost between £200 and £300, a medium room between £300 and £450, and a large room between £400 and £750.
Ceilings take less time to replaster than entire rooms, so this project can be completed in one to three days.
Finally, moving to the exterior of your home, rendering your home's outdoor walls is a time-consuming and generally more expensive process than indoor plastering.
The costs rise with the size of your home, and if any specialized equipment, such as scaffolding, is required to reach the higher levels of your property, the costs rise even further.
Unless you are an experienced plasterer, this is one aspect of the trade that should be left to the professionals.
External rendering for a two-bedroom bungalow will cost between £2,100 and £2,900 and take four to six days to complete. This is assuming that no scaffolding is needed for completion.
Prices for a three-bed semi-detached house range from £3,800 to £5,300, with a five to eight-day waiting period.
Prices for a four-bedroom detached house range from £6,300 to £7,800, and the entire process takes between seven and ten days.
Are you prepared to plaster your house? HouseholdQuotes can assist you in locating qualified plasterers.
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What Factors Influence Plastering Prices?
Several factors may influence the cost of plastering. We take a closer look at these factors so you can plan your budget for this type of project.
The Plastering Technique Used
Your costs will be affected by whether you are plastering, rendering, or skimming.
Skimming is far less expensive and labor-intensive than plastering. For a medium-sized room, expect to pay between £450 and £600, whereas plastering will cost between £650 and £900.
The cost of materials, as well as the cost of labor and any associated equipment (such as scaffolding to reach high ceilings or upper levels of your home's exterior), will all increase the cost of your project.
Rendering comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different finishes necessitating different budgets and skill sets. While cement render can cost as little as £10 per square metre, pebbledash can cost up to £30 per square metre and requires highly skilled laborers to install.
Venetian plastering is an old technique for applying stucco-style plaster to the walls of your home. This can give your home's interiors a traditional look by adding interest to the walls - and it's less expensive than regular plastering.
If You're Putting Up Decorative Plasterwork
The original cornicing and coving were made of plaster. Nowadays, gypsum is more commonly used to make coving.
This is the most expensive option, but if you need to cover an awkward angle or want a style that isn't available off-the-shelf, wet plaster installation may be the way to go.
A 20-metre-room decoratively plastered by a tradesperson and laborer is estimated to cost between £175 and £250. Visit our dedicated guide to learn more about decorative plasterwork.
The Quantity of Walls
The more walls you have, the more material you'll need to cover them with, as well as the longer the labor hours. This will raise the project's overall cost.
The Dimensions of the Wall
Similarly, the size of your walls will have an effect on your price. If they are higher than average, you may require equipment to reach the upper levels, which will be reflected in your price.
The State of the Existing Plaster
Your costs will be affected by whether your walls are in good or bad condition. A good condition with minor imperfections may only require skimming to correct problems, whereas a crumbling wall will require replastering, which will be more expensive.
Your Address
Finally, your location is an unavoidable factor. Central London will charge far more than areas outside of the city, and you'll also have to factor in parking fees for your contractor's vehicles if you don't have off-road parking at your property.
How Can I Lower My Plastering Costs?
Comparing quotes is an excellent way to potentially lower the cost of your plastering project. HouseholdQuotes can assist you in obtaining quotes from multiple plasterers in your area so that you can find someone who fits your budget.
To get started, click the button below:
Comparing Quotes Can Help You Save Up To 40%:
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Internal skimming is a job that most people can do on their own.
Depending on the state of your walls, you might be looking at a quick skimming job that a DIY enthusiast can do themselves. Make sure you're satisfied with whatever you're planning to do yourself, because failed attempts will inevitably necessitate the hiring of a professional to correct mistakes later on.
When it comes to replastering or external rendering, it is best to leave these tasks to the professionals from the start.
A great way to save money is to combine all of your plastering or rendering jobs into one project for one contractor to handle.
This may require you to spend a little more time staring at your worn-out walls while you save, but you'll save money in the long run by only spending on one call out rather than two or more separate jobs.
If you want your ceilings and interior walls done at the same time, let your contractor know before they start to see what they can offer you in terms of price and time frame.
If your walls are covered in years of old wallpaper or paint, you can save your contractor some time by stripping them before they arrive.
This can be a time-consuming task, and if you're working in an older home, the paint and wallpaper may contain hazardous substances that you don't want to be exposed to while working in the room.
Wear protective clothing and cover your mouth and nose when working in these conditions, but if you're ever unsure or unwilling to do the work yourself, it's best to leave it to the professionals.
How Do I Determine If Plastering Is Right For Me?
If you've recently added an extra room to your home or are converting your garage into a living space, chances are you'll need to have the area plastered. Consider the following benefits:
The advantages are that, when done correctly, it can produce a smooth and long-lasting finish to your room, transforming it into a habitable space. If soundproofing is an issue for you, it can also help.
The disadvantages include things like cost and whether it's better to simply fill in some patches rather than attempting an entire re-plaster if the rest of the wall is in good condition. Painting or decorating over wet plaster can also cause damp problems.
What Is the Process of Plastering or Skimming a Room?
The steps your contractor must take depend on what you need done to a room, whether it is skimming or replastering.
Skimming involves applying a thin layer of plaster to the existing plaster on your wall and'skimming' over the surface to achieve a uniform, smooth finish.
Your contractor will remove the existing old plaster from your walls with a drill or chisel and hammer, then prime the walls and apply the plaster.
Both jobs will be completed with protective layers covering your room to prevent plaster or debris from getting into places it shouldn't, as well as a clean-up.
Where Can I Find and Hire a Plasterer?
Finding the right plasterer can be difficult. HouseholdQuotes can put you in touch with plasterers in your area.
Click the button below to tell us more about your project, and we'll assist you in quickly and easily finding someone:
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If you can get them, word-of-mouth recommendations are the best way to avoid rogue traders because you're relying on someone's verbatim response rather than their website, which could say anything about them.
Making Certain the Professional Is a Good Fit
Whether your contractor comes from a word of mouth recommendation or not, it's always a good idea to check out their experience and references yourself to ensure they're a good fit for you and your project.
For example, if you want external rendering and a friend had a good experience with someone plastering the interior of their home, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be a good fit for you.
As a general rule, you should always obtain a written quote before agreeing to any work so that you have something concrete to fall back on if any problems arise and what was agreed upon in your fee ever becomes disputed.
Finally, all contractors should be insured; request proof of this before signing any contracts. If they're legitimate, they'll have no problem sharing this - but if they don't have it, or get huffy about showing it to you, that's a red flag that you should reconsider hiring them.
Checklist at the End
If your walls have seen better days, it may be time to hire a plasterer to give them a facelift. Here is our final checklist to ensure that everything with your project is in order:
- Consider what needs to be done: can you get away with some do-it-yourself skimming, or do your walls require a complete replastering?
- Join jobs: If your exterior as well as your interior require work, consider booking the project as a whole rather than as separate jobs.
- Before beginning work, always obtain a written quote as proof of your agreement.
- Make sure your trader is insured and has a track record of completing jobs similar to yours to ensure they'll be a good fit for you.
Find local plasterers using HouseholdQuotes to potentially save money on your plastering project.
Comparing Quotes Can Help You Save Up To 40%:
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Questions and Answers
Plastering is one of the few trades where hiring a professional can save you time and money. This is because of the following factors:
- A higher level of knowledge and skill is required to achieve a flawless finish.
- It necessitates the use of specialized tools and equipment (for example, scaffolding is required when rendering a multi-story building).
- The consequences of a poor DIY job may take time to manifest, but they may cause more damage than hiring a plasterer would have cost in the first place.
However, there are some plastering jobs that you can do yourself if you have the necessary equipment, skills, and confidence. A professional plasterer is more likely to complete the job faster and to a higher standard than you are.
Allow two to three days for plasterboard to dry, and four to six days for backing plaster to dry.
To ensure that fresh plaster is completely dry, allow it to dry for at least a week before painting. Check out our painting plaster guide for more information.
You can, but it's not recommended because you'll have to redo your walls much sooner than if you removed the wallpaper in the first place.
For the best results, we recommend removing the existing wallpaper and plastering it onto new walls.
Yes, it is; however, skimming is only appropriate if your walls are in good condition. If not, a re-plastering will be required.
Depending on the condition of the existing plaster, you may be able to plaster over it. If it's in bad shape and crumbling in multiple places, it's best to start over to avoid ruining your new plaster job.
If you are unsure, your professional can advise you on the best course of action.
For a complete re-plastering, the old plaster and any wall finishings, such as wall paper, must be completely removed, and plasterboards replaced, with all electrical outlets turned off.
The brickwork will then need to be brushed, followed by a layer of bonding to achieve the desired depth. The plasterer will then start skimming.
It is best to fill in cracks before plastering to ensure a smooth, structurally sound finish. You can easily accomplish this by putting some plaster filler or powder into the cracks to fill them.
Before you start plastering, you'll need to sand down any rough edges.
Are you ready to begin your plastering project? We can assist you.
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