A freshly plastered ceiling is one of those improvements that is easy to underestimate in impact — until you see it. Old blown plaster, hairline cracking, or a mismatched, pitted surface is instantly transformed by a well-applied skim coat into a smooth, paintable finish. In 2026, plastering a ceiling in the UK costs between £150 and £600 depending on the room size, the condition of the existing ceiling, and the type of plaster work required.
Most homeowners pay around £200–£350 for a standard single-room ceiling skim.
Skim Coat vs Full Re-plaster
Understanding the difference is important because it determines both the cost and the disruption involved.
Skim coat (re-skim) — a thin finishing coat (2–3 mm) of multi-finish plaster is applied directly over the existing ceiling surface, whether existing plaster or plasterboard. This is suitable where the existing base is sound, flat, and properly keyed. It is the most common option for ceilings that have been painted too many times, have minor cracking, or simply need refreshing.
Full re-plaster — the existing plaster (or plasterboard) is stripped back to the structure, new plasterboard is fixed to the joists, and then skimmed. Required where the existing plaster has failed (blown, detached from background), where the ceiling is badly sagging, or where the room is being fully renovated and the ceiling structure is being altered.
Artex over-boarding — old artex textured ceilings are often over-boarded with 6 mm or 9.5 mm plasterboard and then skimmed, avoiding the mess and potential asbestos risk of removing the artex. Artex applied before 1999 may contain chrysotile (white) asbestos; if in doubt, commission an asbestos survey (£100–£300) before any disturbance.
2026 Ceiling Plastering Cost Guide
| Job type | Small room (up to 10 m²) | Medium room (10–16 m²) | Large room (16–25 m²+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skim coat only | £150–£220 | £200–£320 | £280–£450 |
| Skim coat with minor patch repairs | £200–£300 | £250–£380 | £320–£500 |
| Over-board artex and skim | £300–£450 | £400–£600 | £550–£850 |
| Full strip, board, and skim | £350–£550 | £500–£750 | £700–£1,100 |
| Coving and ceiling rose, labour only | £100–£200 | — | — |
Costs are for labour and materials. Materials (multi-finish plaster, PVA bonding agent, boards) are usually included in a plasterer’s fixed price.
Cost Per Square Metre
For very large or commercial ceilings, plasterers sometimes quote by the m²:
| Work type | Cost per m² (2026) |
|---|---|
| Skim coat | £12–£22/m² |
| Board and skim | £22–£38/m² |
| Over-boarding artex and skim | £20–£35/m² |
Plasterer Day Rates in 2026
| Region | Day rate |
|---|---|
| London | £280–£420/day |
| South East | £250–£370/day |
| Midlands | £200–£300/day |
| North England | £190–£280/day |
| Scotland | £200–£300/day |
| Wales | £180–£270/day |
A standard ceiling skim in a bedroom or living room (12–16 m²) typically takes one plasterer one day, including preparation, application of bonding coat (if needed), and two coats of finish. Very large ceilings or those with complex features (boxings, dropped sections, coving) may require 1.5–2 days.
What Drives the Price?
Room height adds significant time. Standard 2.4 m ceilings are plastered from a hop-up or low-level scaffold board. Rooms with high ceilings (3 m or above, common in Victorian houses) require a full trestle scaffold or stilts, adding time, risk, and often a day rate premium.
Access and setup — plastering is messy. The plasterer needs room to work freely and time to sheet up floors and furniture. Tight rooms or rooms crammed with furniture cost more because of the restricted working space.
Background condition — a ceiling coated in multiple layers of emulsion or a surface that has been wallpapered needs a coat of PVA bonding agent (SBR/PVA diluted) to regulate suction before the skim goes on. Without it, the plaster dries at different rates and cracks or flashes. This is normally included in the preparation; confirm it is when getting quotes.
Damaged joists or noggins — if the ceiling structure is damaged or inadequate (a problem in older houses where joists are undersized or rotted), this is a carpentry repair job before the plasterer attends. Structural repairs are not included in plastering quotes.
Coving and roses — fitting plaster coving at the junction of ceiling and walls is priced separately (typically £8–£15 per linear metre installed for standard coving; £15–£30/lm for ornate period profiles). Fitting a plaster ceiling rose in a living room adds £60–£150 for labour.
What to Expect on the Day
A plasterer doing a ceiling skim will typically:
- Sheet up the floor and protect light fittings
- Fill any holes or cracks in the existing ceiling with finishing plaster or bonding compound
- Apply a coat of diluted PVA to regulate suction (if required by background)
- Mix multi-finish plaster to a smooth, creamy consistency
- Apply a first coat (scratch coat) across the whole ceiling with a trowel
- Apply a second trowelled coat, building thickness to approximately 3 mm total
- Lay off (final smooth passes with a dampened trowel) as the plaster begins to stiffen
- Leave the room for the plaster to dry — typically 24–48 hours before painting
The room should be ventilated but not cold during drying. Avoid painting for at least 4–6 weeks after new plaster to allow all moisture to escape; use a diluted mist coat (50% emulsion, 50% water) as the first paint coat to seal the surface without trapping moisture.
Getting Quotes
Plastering is a trade where reputation matters enormously. The difference between a skilled finisher and a mediocre one is visible every time you turn on a raking light. When seeking quotes:
- Ask to see recent finished work (photos at minimum; in person is better)
- Get a fixed price per ceiling rather than a day-rate quote where possible — it removes ambiguity
- Confirm that preparation (PVA, crack filling, sheeting up) is included
- Ask specifically whether materials are included or charged separately
- Check that the plasterer has public liability insurance
Three quotes for a plastering job is good practice. Do not automatically choose the cheapest — a poorly finished ceiling requires sanding, re-skimming, or living with indefinitely.
