Plastering is one of those jobs that looks deceptively simple until you see what a bad one looks like under raking light. A good plasterer produces a flat, even surface that takes paint cleanly. Getting there depends on what is already on the walls, the size of the room, and the finish required.
In 2026, expect to pay £400–£750 in labour for a standard double bedroom, or £700–£1,400 for a larger living or dining room. Add materials on top.
Cost Breakdown by Room Size
The table below covers a full replaster (remove existing plaster, plasterboard or dot-and-dab if needed, bonding coat, finish coat). Skim-only pricing is lower — see further below.
| Room Type | Approx. Wall/Ceiling Area | Labour Only | Labour + Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom / bathroom | 35–45 m² | £350–£550 | £450–£700 |
| Standard double bedroom | 50–65 m² | £450–£750 | £600–£950 |
| Large bedroom / small living room | 65–85 m² | £600–£950 | £750–£1,200 |
| Large living / dining room | 85–120 m² | £800–£1,400 | £1,050–£1,800 |
| Open-plan kitchen-diner | 100–150 m² | £950–£1,700 | £1,250–£2,200 |
These are national averages. London and South East rates are typically 20–35% higher.
What Affects the Price?
Existing surface condition is the biggest variable. Skimming over dry-lining plasterboard is faster than hacking off old lime plaster from a Victorian property, which creates more mess, takes longer, and may reveal uneven brickwork needing extra coats.
Ceiling height adds time and requires additional scaffolding boards or hop-ups. High Victorian ceilings (3–4 m) can add 20–40% to the cost of plastering a ceiling.
Cornicing and mouldings — if you need existing coving matched or new coving fitted, this is charged separately, typically £8–£20 per linear metre for standard mouldings.
Number of coats — a single skim coat (over plasterboard in good condition) is the cheapest option. Full two-coat work (bonding/browning coat plus finish coat) takes longer and costs more.
Access and geography — difficult access, parking charges in urban areas, and London / South East location all push prices up.
Skim-Only vs Full Replaster
A skim coat is a thin (2–3 mm) finishing layer applied over sound existing plaster or new plasterboard. It is the right choice when the background is in good condition and you just want a fresh, paintable surface.
A full replaster strips back to the masonry, applies a scratch coat (also called a bonding or browning coat, 8–12 mm), and follows with a finish skim. This is needed when existing plaster is blown (hollow-sounding when tapped), crumbling, badly contaminated, or when you have had walls stripped back to brick.
| Type | Approx. Labour Cost per m² | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Skim coat only (over board) | £8–£14/m² | New plasterboard, sound existing plaster |
| Skim coat (over existing plaster) | £10–£16/m² | Existing plaster sound, surface damaged |
| Full two-coat replaster | £18–£35/m² | Blown plaster, bare brick, damp remediation |
| Dot and dab plasterboard + skim | £20–£40/m² | Solid wall insulation, levelling uneven walls |
Plasterer Day Rates 2026
Most plasterers price jobs rather than quote strictly by the day, but day rates help you sense-check a quote:
- National average: £180–£260/day
- London / South East: £230–£320/day
- A typical double bedroom takes 1.5–2.5 days depending on condition and type of work.
If a quote for a standard bedroom comes in under £250 labour, be cautious. Quality plastering requires skill and time. Very low quotes often mean rushing, poor mixing, or inexperienced labour.
Materials Cost
Materials typically add £100–£300 per room depending on product and area:
- Gypsum finish plaster (Thistle or similar): £12–£18 per 25 kg bag; one bag covers roughly 5 m² at 2 mm
- Browning / bonding coat: £10–£16 per 25 kg bag
- Plasterboard (12.5 mm, standard): £6–£10 per 2400×1200 mm board
- Bonding compound / PVA: £5–£15 per litre
- Scrim tape: £5–£10 per roll
- Corner beads: £2–£4 each
What to Watch Out For
Drying time — fresh plaster must dry fully before decoration. Allow a minimum of 2–4 weeks per 10 mm depth before applying emulsion. Painting too soon traps moisture and causes the paint to peel.
Mist coat — new plaster must be sealed with a mist coat (heavily diluted emulsion, typically 4:1 water to paint) before normal painting. Skipping this step causes peeling and flaking.
Blown plaster — if patches sound hollow when tapped, those sections need to be cut back and replastered before a skim. A plasterer who skims over blown areas is wasting your money.
Lime plaster in period properties — Victorian and Edwardian homes often have original lime plaster on lath. Patching like-for-like with modern gypsum plaster causes cracking at the joints. Specify lime or hair-lime plaster for repair work in period buildings.
Building Regulations
Standard interior plastering does not require Building Regulations approval. However, if you are plastering as part of a wall insulation upgrade (e.g., internal wall insulation), the thermal element must achieve minimum U-value standards under Part L of the Building Regulations (0.30 W/m²K for an existing solid wall). Your contractor should be aware of this and ideally provide thermal calculations.
Getting a Good Plasterer
Ask specifically whether the price includes:
- Preparation (hacking off existing plaster if required)
- Making good around windows, door frames, and cables
- Clearing up and disposing of waste
- All materials, or labour only
Get at least two quotes. Reputable plasterers are often booked 2–6 weeks in advance in busy urban areas — a contractor available immediately is worth questioning.
