Walls & structure
Plastering cost calculator
Plastering is the hardest of the finishing trades to learn: the plaster starts to set while you work, so timing matters as much as technique. Skimming a small wall or patching is achievable with practice. A whole room is usually worth paying for.
- Full DIY
- £140
- Smart Hybrid
- £580
- Full Trade
- £640
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
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Smart Hybrid saves £60 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£580
- Materials
- £144
- Labour
- £439
- Skim walls and ceiling£439
- You have not taken on any of the work yourself, so this matches the full trade price.
- Fresh plaster needs a week or more to dry before painting, longer in winter.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Plastering
- Skim walls and ceilingBook a plasterer · ~1.69 days
How we worked out the materials›
- Finishing plaster£7847.2 m² at roughly 9 m² per 25 kg bag
- PVA bonding agent£3647.2 m² at roughly 25 m² per 5 L tub
- Sundries£30Scrim tape, corner beads, mixing tub and sponges
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Area to plaster
Walls and ceilings are priced by area, and ceilings cost more per m² because the work is harder.
- 2
Skim or full re-plaster
Skimming over sound plaster is cheaper than stripping back to brick and re-plastering from scratch.
- 3
Surface condition
Bonding, boarding or patching before the skim adds time and materials.
- 4
Access and height
Stairwells, high ceilings and awkward corners take longer and may need scaffolding.
- 5
Drying time
Fresh plaster needs about a week or more to dry before it can be painted.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- Patching holes and cracks with filler or finishing plaster
- Skimming a small, flat wall (with practice)
- Preparing walls: stripping paper, applying bonding agent
- Painting a mist coat on fresh plaster
Leave to a pro
- Skimming a whole room, especially ceilings
- Re-plastering from scratch
- Plaster over uneven or damp walls
- Lath-and-plaster or lime plaster in older properties
The rules
No regulations apply to plastering itself. If you find damp or suspect asbestos in old plaster or textured coatings, stop and get it tested.
DIY guide
How to skim a wall with plaster, step by step
This is a beginner method for skimming a small, sound wall. Practise on a spare piece of board first. The key is the timing.
Tools you'll need
- Plastering trowel and hawk
- Bucket and paddle mixer
- Spot board or mixing tray
- Spray bottle
- Spirit level and straight edge
- Filling knife
Materials
- Finishing plaster (multi-finish)
- PVA or bonding agent
- Plasterboard (if boarding)
- Scrim tape and joint filler
- Mist coat paint
- 1
Prepare the surface
~1 dayMake sure the wall is clean, dry and sound. Remove loose plaster and wallpaper, fill big holes, and brush on a PVA or bonding coat so fresh plaster will grip and not dry too fast.
- 2
Mix the plaster
~0.25 daysAdd plaster to clean water in a bucket (never water onto plaster) and mix with a paddle to a smooth consistency like thick yoghurt, with no lumps. Mix small batches you can use in about 30 minutes.
Tip: Use clean tools and a clean bucket every time. Old set plaster in a mix makes it set too fast.
- 3
Apply a thin first coat
~0.25 daysLoad the hawk and trowel the plaster on in firm, upward strokes about 2mm thick, working from the bottom corner. Cover the whole wall, keeping the trowel at a shallow angle.
- 4
Apply the second coat
~0.25 daysAs soon as the first coat is firm enough to take another layer (usually within 15–20 minutes), skim again to bring it to about 3mm total and fill any hollows.
- 5
Trowel and polish at the right moment
~0.5 daysWhen the surface starts to lose its shine and goes matt, mist with water and trowel it flat with firm pressure to close the surface. Repeat once or twice as it firms up until it is smooth.
Tip: This is the part that takes practice. Too early and it tears. Too late and it will not polish.
- 6
Let it dry and paint with a mist coat
~0.5 daysLet the wall dry fully, which can take a week or more, and it will lighten as it dries. Do not rush. Paint a thinned mist coat of emulsion first so the plaster does not soak up your finish coat.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Plastering onto dusty, loose or very absorbent surfaces without a bonding coat
- Overworking the plaster after it has started to set
- Mixing too much at once, so it goes off before you use it
- Painting before the plaster has fully dried
- Skimming over damp walls, which causes failure and mould
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to plaster a room?
For a typical 4 × 3.5 m room, skimming the walls and ceiling costs from around £140 if you do it yourself (materials only) to £640 with a plasterer. Stripping back and re-plastering the same room comes to about £2,230 with a plasterer.
What is the difference between skimming and re-plastering?
Skimming puts a thin 2–3 mm finishing layer over walls that are already sound, and is quick and cheaper. Re-plastering strips the old plaster back to brick or block and rebuilds it in two coats, which is slower, messier and much dearer. It is only needed when the old plaster is loose, damp or crumbling.
Can I plaster a wall myself?
Small, flat walls and patching are achievable with practice. A whole room is hard, because the plaster starts to set while you work and timing the polishing is a skill. If you are not confident, hand the plastering to a plasterer and do the preparation and decorating yourself.
How long does plaster take to dry?
Allow at least a week, and often two, before painting, longer in cold or damp weather. Paint a thinned mist coat first so the new plaster does not soak up your finish coat.
Do I need to book a plasterer in advance?
Usually yes. Good plasterers are often booked several weeks ahead. Line one up as soon as you know your dates, and plan the first fix (plumbing and electrics) so it is finished before they arrive.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.