How much does plastering cost?
Updated 9 Aug 2026
Typical cost per room
£200 – £450
Plastering in the UK typically costs £200–£450 to skim an average room, or £15–£30 per m². Full re-plastering onto bare brick costs more than skimming over existing sound plaster.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Skim one ceiling | £150 – £280 |
| Skim a small room (walls) | £250 – £400 |
| Skim an average room | £350 – £600 |
| Re-plaster onto bare brick (per m²) | £25 – £45 |
| Plasterer day rate | £150 – £250 |
| Patch repair | £80 – £200 |
Prices are typical UK guide figures and vary by area, materials and job size. Post your job for real local quotes.
Skim vs re-plaster
Skimming is a thin finish coat over existing sound plaster — quick and relatively cheap. Re-plastering means hacking off the old and starting from the backing coat, which takes far longer and creates a lot of mess and waste.
If your walls are blown or hollow-sounding when tapped, skimming over them won't hold.
Drying times
Fresh plaster needs time before decorating — typically 3–7 days for skim, longer for a full re-plaster in winter. The first coat of paint should be a watered-down mist coat, not full-strength emulsion.
Frequently asked questions
How long before I can paint new plaster?+
Wait until it's uniformly pale and fully dry — usually about a week for skim. Then apply a mist coat first.
Can plaster be applied over wallpaper?+
No. Wallpaper must come off first, or the plaster will pull away with it.
Ready to get it done?
Post your plastering & tiling job free on BidMyJob and local people will bid. No fees, no commission — you pick who you like.