Drywall plastering and painting

Plastering is often considered a "black art" in the trade world, requiring years of practice to master the timing and pressure needed for a mirror-smooth finish. Following this up with a professional paint job ensures that the hard work of the plasterer isn't undermined by poor application or inadequate preparation.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Preparation: Moving furniture, laying heavy-duty floor protection, and masking off sockets, switches, and skirting boards.
• Assessment: Checking the substrate for "blown" plaster, damp, or structural cracks that require more than a simple skim.
• Drywall Installation: Fixing plasterboard (drywall) to timber studs or masonry using "dot and dab" adhesive or screws.
• Taping and Jointing: Applying scrim tape to joints to prevent future cracking as the building naturally moves.
• The Skim Coat: Applying two thin coats of finishing plaster (typically Multi-finish) and trowelling it to a smooth, polished surface.
• Mist Coating: Applying a diluted coat of matt emulsion to newly dried plaster to seal it before the final decorative layers.
• Painting: Applying a minimum of two topcoats of professional-grade emulsion to achieve full opacity and the desired finish.

Typical Costs

Prices for plastering and painting vary based on your location in the UK, with London and the South East typically commanding a 20-30% premium. The following table provides realistic estimates for 2025/26 including VAT and materials.

The primary cost drivers are the condition of the existing walls and the height of the ceilings. If a plasterer needs to "hack off" old, blown lime plaster or install extensive scaffolding for a vaulted ceiling, the price will increase significantly.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Patch Repairs: 2–4 hours (requires a second visit for painting once dry).
• Skimming a Single Room: 1–2 days for the plastering phase.
• Drying Time: 3–5 days depending on humidity and ventilation (crucial before painting).
• Painting a Standard Room: 1–2 days including mist coat and topcoats.
• Whole House Refurbishment: 2–4 weeks depending on the number of trades on site.

DIY or Professional?

While many homeowners successfully tackle painting, professional plastering is highly recommended. It is a physically demanding task with a very short "open time"; once the plaster begins to set, an inexperienced DIYer will struggle to achieve a smooth finish, leading to hours of arduous sanding.

Painting is more accessible for DIY, but the "mist coat" phase on new plaster is where most people fail. Using undiluted paint on fresh plaster causes it to sit on the surface rather than bond, leading to peeling paint within months. If your budget allows, hiring a professional for both ensures a seamless transition and a commercial-grade finish.

Note: While plastering doesn't usually fall under Building Regulations like electrical or gas work, ensure your tradesperson follows Part L if you are adding internal wall insulation.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Plastering or City & Guilds certifications.
• Portfolio: Ask for photos of "unpainted" plaster; the light should reflect evenly off the surface without visible trowel marks or "fat" in the corners.
• Insurance: Ensure they hold Public Liability Insurance (minimum £1 million) to cover accidental damage to your property.
• Red Flags: Avoid tradespeople who say they can paint fresh plaster the very next day. This is a recipe for damp trapped behind the paint.

Questions to ask:

• "Will you be using a bonding coat or just a finish skim?"
• "How do you intend to manage the dust during the sanding phase?"
• "Does your quote include the mist coat and all paint materials?"
• "How long do you recommend I wait before I start the final decoration?"

UK Regulations

• British Standard BS EN 13914-2: This is the standard for the design, preparation, and application of internal plastering.
• Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power): If you are renovating more than 50% of a "thermal element" (an external wall), you may be required to upgrade the insulation.
• Waste Management: Ensure your tradesperson has a Waste Carrier Licence if they are removing old plasterboard from your property.
• Health and Safety: Plasterers should use dust extraction or M-Class vacuums to minimize respiratory risks from gypsum and silica dust.

Common Problems

• Cracking: Often caused by skipping the scrim tape on joints or the plaster drying out too quickly in high heat.
• Efflorescence: White salty deposits appearing on the surface, usually indicating trapped moisture in the masonry.
• Flashing: When the outlines of the plasterboard joints are visible through the paint, often due to poor sanding or skipping the primer.
• Blown Plaster: A hollow sound when tapped, indicating the plaster has detached from the wall and needs to be replaced, not just skimmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long must I wait before painting new plaster?

In a well-ventilated UK home, you should wait at least 3 to 5 days. The plaster should turn from a dark pink/brown to a uniform light pink colour. Painting too early traps moisture, leading to mould or peeling.

What is a "mist coat" and why do I need it?

A mist coat is a mixture of roughly 70% matt emulsion and 30% water. New plaster is incredibly thirsty; the water in the mist coat is absorbed into the plaster, pulling the paint pigment with it to create a permanent bond.

Can you plaster over wallpaper?

No. You should never plaster over wallpaper. The moisture in the wet plaster will cause the wallpaper adhesive to fail, leading to the new plaster peeling off the wall in large sheets.

Should I remove my skirting boards before plastering?

For the best finish, yes. Plastering down to the floor allows the new skirting to be fitted flush against the wall. However, "skimming down to" existing skirting is common for smaller budget renovations.

How do I stop cracks from reappearing after plastering?

Movement cracks should be taped with fiberglass scrim tape. If the crack is structural, the underlying issue must be fixed by a builder before a plasterer can provide a lasting cosmetic finish.