plasterer prices

Plastering costs in the UK average £450 to £680 to skim a standard 4m x 3m room, including labour and materials. Expect £10-£18 per m² for a skim coat, £18-£30 per m² for board and skim, and plasterer day rates of £150-£300 depending on region. Re-skimming a whole 3-bed semi costs £3,000-£4,240. Prices reviewed July 2026. Key facts Skimming an average room (4m x 3m) costs £450-£680 including materials Skim coat: £10-£18 per m². Board and skim: £18-£30 per m² Day rate: £150-£300 (£250-£300 in London, £200-£250 in Kent and the South East) Full 3-bed semi: £3,000-£4,240 skim only, £4,700-£6,900 board and skim Ceiling work carries a 15-20% premium over wall rates How much does plastering cost in the UK? Plastering costs have remained relatively stable throughout 2025-2026, though material prices have seen a modest 5-8% increase due to energy costs affecting manufacturing. The good news is that competition amongst tradespeople means day rates haven’t jumped dramatically. Here is every headline figure in one place. Each is broken down in detail further down the page. Job Typical cost (2026) Skim small bedroom (3m × 2.5m) £340-£510 Skim average room (4m × 3m) £450-£680 Skim large bedroom (5m × 4m) £620-£900 Skim living room (6m × 4m) £730-£1,070 Board and skim average room (4m × 3m) £720-£1,200 Skim coat, per m² £10-£18 Board and skim, per m² £18-£30 Full replaster (two-coat), per m² £22-£35 Plasterer day rate £150-£300 Full 3-bed semi, skim only £3,000-£4,240 Full 3-bed semi, board and skim £4,700-£6,900 Most professional plasterers charge in one of three ways: daily rates, per square metre pricing, or fixed quotes for complete rooms. Understanding which pricing structure applies to your job helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. What is the day rate for a plasterer in the UK? Region Day Rate (Solo Plasterer) With Labourer London (Zones 1-3) £250-£300 £380-£450 South East (Kent, Surrey, Sussex) £200-£250 £320-£380 South West £180-£220 £290-£340 Midlands £170-£210 £280-£330 North England & Wales £150-£190 £250-£300 Scotland £160-£200 £270-£320 These rates reflect industry standards reported by Checkatrade and our own experience quoting jobs across Kent in 2026. Day rates typically cover 7-8 hours of work but don’t include materials, which add 15-25% to the total cost. Kent towns sit in the South East band; our plasterers in Maidstone page shows what common local jobs cost. How much does it cost to plaster a room? Room plastering costs depend heavily on ceiling height, surface condition, and whether you’re skimming existing plaster or boarding and plastering from scratch. Here’s what you’ll actually pay for different scenarios. Skim Coat on Existing Plaster A skim coat (typically 2-3mm of finishing plaster) over sound existing plasterwork is the most economical option. This gives you smooth, paint-ready walls without the expense of reboarding. Room Size Typical Dimensions Labour Cost Materials Total Cost Small bedroom 3m × 2.5m £300-£450 £40-£60 £340-£510 Average bedroom 4m × 3m £400-£600 £50-£80 £450-£680 Large bedroom 5m × 4m £550-£800 £70-£100 £620-£900 Living room 6m × 4m £650-£950 £80-£120 £730-£1,070 Kitchen 4m × 3m £450-£700 £55-£85 £505-£785 These prices assume 2.4m ceiling height and include walls and ceiling. Kitchens often cost slightly more per square metre due to the need to work around cupboards and fittings. New Plasterboard and Skim If walls are damaged, damp, or you’re converting a space, you’ll need plasterboard fixing followed by a skim coat. This roughly doubles the cost compared to skimming alone. 12.5mm plasterboard: £3-£5 per sheet from Wickes or Screwfix Insulated plasterboard: £15-£30 per sheet depending on insulation thickness Scrim tape and adhesive: £5-£10 per room Fixing labour: Adds £4-£7 per m² to the quote Total boarding and plastering: £18-£30 per m² including materials For a typical 4m × 3m bedroom (approximately 40m² wall and ceiling area), expect to pay £720-£1,200 for boarding and plastering combined. If you only need boarding (stud walls, ceilings, dot and dab) without a full replaster, our drylining cost guide breaks those prices down separately. Pro Tip: Always ask whether quotes include plasterboard or are skim-only. Some plasterers quote remarkably low rates but expect you to supply materials and board the room yourself. A professional all-in quote saves headaches and ensures proper material selection. How much does plastering cost per square metre? Many plasterers quote on a per-metre-squared basis for larger commercial jobs or multi-room projects. This provides predictable pricing but requires accurate measurements. Type of work Rate per m² (2026) Skim coat only £10-£18 Board and skim £18-£30 Re-plastering over lath (extra prep work) £25-£40 Two-coat work (browning + skim) £22-£35 External rendering (varies by finish) £40-£85 The lower end reflects simpler jobs in competitive markets like the Midlands. Premium finishes, difficult access, or London locations push prices toward the upper range. To calculate your room’s square metreage, measure each wall’s width and multiply by height, then add the ceiling area (length × width). For a 4m × 3m room with 2.4m ceilings: (4m × 2.4m × 2) + (3m × 2.4m × 2) + (4m × 3m) = 19.2 + 14.4 + 12 = 45.6m². How much does it cost to plaster a whole house? Whole-house replastering projects offer economies of scale. Most plasterers provide discounted rates when working on multiple rooms continuously rather than sporadic single-room jobs. Three-Bedroom Semi-Detached House Scope of Work Area (approx) Skim Only Board & Skim 3 bedrooms (walls & ceilings) 110m² £1,400-£2,000 £2,200-£3,300 Living room 42m² £550-£750 £850-£1,260 Kitchen/dining 35m² £450-£630 £700-£1,050 Hallway & stairs 25m² £350-£500 £550-£750 Bathroom 18m² £250-£360 £400-£540 TOTAL 230m² £3,000-£4,240 £4,700-£6,900 Most plasterers knock 10-15% off individual room pricing for full-house projects because setup time is consolidated and material purchasing becomes more efficient. A job that would cost £4,800 if priced room-by-room might come in at £4,100-£4,300 as a package deal. Additional Plastering Services and Their Costs Beyond basic wall and ceiling work, numerous specialised plastering tasks carry their own pricing structures. Ceiling Repairs and Replastering Ceilings require additional skill and create more awkward working conditions than walls. Expect to pay a 15-20%