How Much Does a Plasterer Charge in the UK? (2026)

UK Plasterer Rates at a Glance (2026)

Region	Hourly Rate	Day Rate
National average	£35–£55/hr	£150–£280/day
London	£50–£75/hr	£250–£380/day
South East	£45–£65/hr	£210–£330/day
Midlands	£30–£50/hr	£140–£250/day
North England	£28–£45/hr	£130–£230/day
Scotland	£30–£48/hr	£135–£240/day
Wales	£28–£44/hr	£125–£220/day

What Do Plasterers Charge for Common Jobs?

Most plasterers quote per job or per room rather than hourly, because the time to plaster a wall varies less than most people think — it's the prep and the number of coats that drives price.

What Affects a Plasterer's Day Rate?

Plastering looks like a single trade but there's a real range in what different plasterers can and will do. A few things that move the needle on price:

• Type of work: Skim coat on fresh plasterboard is faster than two-coat work on old brick. Rendering is different again. Most plasterers have a preference and price accordingly.
• Prep condition: Walls that have been properly prepared (studwork straight, boards taped, surfaces primed) take less time. Turning up to a messy substrate costs the plasterer time, and they'll factor that in.
• Location: London rates run 30–40% above the national average. Parking, congestion charges, and higher living costs all feed into it.
• Experience and finish quality: A skilled plasterer who can leave a finish ready for mist coat without any flatting down commands a higher rate than someone whose work needs sanding.
• Access: Ceilings, stairwells, and high rooms cost more. Setting up scaffolding or working off a tower takes time the plasterer needs to price in.

Plastering Rates Per Square Metre

When quoting large jobs — new builds, whole-house plastering, or external rendering — plasterers often price per square metre rather than by day. Typical rates in 2026:

Work type	Rate (per m²)	Notes
Skim coat (over plasterboard)	£8–£15/m²	Single coat, smooth finish
Two-coat plaster (bonding + skim)	£15–£25/m²	On brick or block
Sand and cement render (external)	£20–£40/m²	Labour only, no materials
K-Rend / monocouche	£35–£60/m²	Specialist finish, inc. material

Is It Worth Getting Multiple Quotes?

Yes. but the cheapest quote isn't always the right one. Plastering is one of those trades where the quality difference between a good and mediocre finish is very visible once the paint goes on. A poorly finished skim under emulsion will show every line in raking light. Get two or three quotes, look at previous work if you can, and don't automatically go for the lowest.

If a quote seems surprisingly cheap, ask what it includes. Some plasterers quote labour only, expecting you to supply materials. Others include everything. Make sure you're comparing like for like.

Dot-and-Dab vs Scratch Coat: What Plasterers Recommend and Why

There are two main ways to plaster masonry walls in a UK property:

Dot-and-dab (dry lining) — plasterboard is bonded directly to the masonry wall with dabs of adhesive, then skimmed. It's faster, cheaper, and provides immediate insulation. The downside: if moisture ever gets behind the board (from a leak or rising damp), it traps it, causing the adhesive to fail and the board to bulge. Not recommended in rooms prone to condensation or any wall with known moisture issues.

Sand and cement backing coat + skim (wet plaster) — a base coat of sand and cement is applied to the masonry, then finished with multi-finish plaster. Takes longer to dry (2–3 weeks before decorating), costs more, but is far more durable and moisture-resistant. The professional choice for period properties, solid walls, and any situation where longevity matters.

A good plasterer will assess your walls and recommend the appropriate method rather than defaulting to the cheaper option. If you're in a Victorian or Edwardian property with solid brick walls, push back if someone quotes dot-and-dab without checking for damp first.

Why New Plaster Drying Time Gets Rushed — And Why That's a Mistake

Newly skimmed plaster contains a lot of water. As it dries, that moisture migrates outward through the surface. If you paint over it before it's fully dry, you trap the remaining moisture — which then causes the paint to flake off in sheets, often within six months.

The rules that get ignored most often:

• 4–6 weeks minimum before applying normal emulsion in average UK conditions (longer in winter or north-facing rooms)
• Mist coat first — dilute emulsion 5:1 (water:paint) for the first coat. This lets moisture out while sealing the surface for subsequent coats
• No heating tricks — cranking up a dehumidifier or heater speeds up surface drying but not core drying, creating a dry crust over wet plaster. The crust cracks and the paint moves with it
• Colour indicator — plaster is ready when it changes from dark pink to a uniform pale cream/pink throughout, not just on the surface

Decorators who tell you new plaster is fine to paint after a week are either mistaken or trying to finish the job quickly.

How to Find a Reliable Plasterer

• See a recently finished job in person — check for flat walls (use a long spirit level or straight batten), clean arises at corners, and no visible ridges or drag marks
• Ask about the substrate — does the plasterer probe existing plaster for soundness before skimming over it? One who does is more thorough than one who doesn't
• Confirm material supply — most plasterers include materials (plaster, bonding, beading); confirm this in the quote
• Check they'll protect your floors and fixtures — plaster splatter is hard to remove from sockets, flooring, and radiators. Ask how the area will be protected before work starts
• CSCS card — on any commercial or new-build site, a plasterer should hold a CSCS card. For domestic work it's not required but shows professional standing

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does a plasterer charge per day in the UK?
  UK plasterers typically charge £150–£280 per day nationally. London and South East plasterers charge £250–£380/day. Rates depend on experience, work type, and location.
• How much does it cost to plaster a room?
  A standard bedroom skim (over plasterboard) typically costs £350–£600 including materials. A full re-plaster stripping old plaster back costs £500–£900. London prices run 30–40% higher.
• How long does it take to plaster a room?
  A medium-sized bedroom skim takes one plasterer a full day. A larger room or two-coat work takes 1.5–2 days. Allow 3–5 days drying time before decorating, longer in cold or humid conditions.
• Do plasterers charge for materials separately?
  Most include materials in their quote. Some charge labour only if you supply materials, but most prefer to source their own. They know what they're getting and can charge a small markup for the sourcing time.
• Do plasterers charge VAT?
  Only if VAT registered (turnover over £90,000/year in 2025/26). Many sole-trader plasterers fall below this threshold. Always check whether quotes are ex-VAT or inclusive — it makes a 20% difference.

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