Plaster Installation Guide Scope of Works Survey & preparation – protect floors, strip loose décor, check for damp and mark any blown areas. Substrate treat...
Plaster installation (skimming a wall, full re-plaster, or new build first plaster) in the UK typically costs £15–£35 per m² for skim coats over existing sound surfaces; £25–£60 per m² for full re-plaster including dot-and-dab plasterboard or rendering. A typical room (4×4 m, ~50 m² wall area) costs £400-£900 for a skim, £1,000-£2,500 for a full re-plaster.
The work is fast (1-3 days for a typical room) but technique-sensitive. Bad plastering shows up under paint as ridges, dips, and trowel marks; good plastering produces walls so smooth they look like glass under paint.
Typical UK plastering costs
| Work | Typical £/m² | Typical room |
|---|---|---|
| Skim over existing sound plaster | £15–£35 | £400–£900 |
| Skim over plasterboard (new) | £18–£40 | £500–£1,200 |
| Full re-plaster (hack off + skim) | £35–£60 | £1,000–£2,500 |
| Plasterboard + skim (dot & dab) | £35–£70 | £1,200–£2,800 |
| Lath and plaster repair (period homes) | £50–£120 | £1,500–£4,000 |
| External rendering (per m²) | £40–£90 | (per house) |
| Bonding coat + skim (uneven walls) | £30–£55 | £900–£1,800 |
Common plastering jobs
- Skim over existing plaster — sound walls with surface imperfections (cracks, lumps, old paint texture). 2-3 mm finish coat. Quickest, cheapest.
- Skim over plasterboard — new walls or repaired sections. Standard for new-build and extensions.
- Full re-plaster — old plaster blown, damaged, or removed. Includes hack-off + new bonding coat + skim.
- Dot-and-dab plasterboard + skim — common for old solid masonry walls being upgraded. Plasterboard fixed to wall with dabs of adhesive, then skimmed.
- External render — different trade often, but related. Cement, lime, or modern silicone-based renders for exterior surfaces.
- Period lath-and-plaster repair — specialist work for Victorian and earlier homes. Different materials and techniques.
Process for skimming a typical room
- Preparation — clear room, lay dust sheets, remove sockets and switches (or mask).
- Surface prep — sand glossy paint, fill major cracks, apply PVA bonding agent if needed.
- First coat — 2 mm pass with multi-finish plaster.
- Second coat — applied while first is still wet (within 30-60 minutes), refining the surface.
- Trowelling — multiple passes as plaster goes off, increasing pressure to polish smooth.
- Final passes — sponge-floating to eliminate trowel marks, then final dry-trowel for glass-like finish.
- Drying — typically 2-7 days before painting, depending on thickness and ventilation.
Things people often miss
- Drying before painting — fresh plaster needs 1-2 weeks drying before painting. Trying to paint too soon traps moisture. The wall changes colour as it dries (pink to lighter pink to almost white).
- Mist coat first — first coat over fresh plaster should be a "mist coat" (paint thinned 50-50 with water). This seals the plaster; full-strength paint over fresh plaster peels.
- PVA bonding — surfaces with poor adhesion (dusty, painted, smooth) need PVA primer first. Skipping this leads to plaster cracking or coming loose.
- Wall corners and edges — internal corners are scribed; external corners use angle bead. Both need skill; sloppy corners are the giveaway of a rushed job.
- Plasterboard joints — joints in plasterboard need scrim tape under the skim to prevent cracking. Skipping means cracks reappearing within 6-12 months.
- Damp issues — plaster can hide damp problems but won't cure them. Address underlying damp first.
Frequently asked questions
How long does plastering a room take?
Skim of a typical bedroom: 1 day. Full re-plaster: 2-3 days. Plus 1-2 weeks drying before painting. Plan around this; you can't paint or move furniture in immediately.
How long before I can paint new plaster?
Wait until the plaster is completely dry — typically 7-14 days for skim coats, 2-3 weeks for thicker re-plaster. The plaster goes from pink (wet) through a lighter pink to almost white when dry. First coat must be a 50-50 water-thinned mist coat to seal the plaster.
Should I skim over textured walls or take them off?
For artex / textured ceiling and walls, options: (1) skim over (cheaper but adds 3-5 mm thickness) or (2) hack off and re-plaster (more thorough but 3x the cost). For Artex installed before 2000, asbestos testing is recommended before any disturbance.
Can I plaster myself?
Skimming small areas (small patch repairs) is achievable for confident DIYers. Whole walls or rooms benefit dramatically from a professional — the technique difference shows up unforgivingly under paint. Plasterers are typically £200-£400/day; the result is much better.
What's the difference between bonding coat and skim?
Bonding coat is the base coat used for thicker (over 5 mm) backing layer on uneven walls. Skim is the top finish coat (2-3 mm). Most jobs need both; a skim alone over very uneven walls won't level out.
How long does plaster last?
Properly applied internal plaster: 30-60+ years before any repair needed. Period lath-and-plaster: 100+ years if maintained. Modern dot-and-dab: 25-40 years. Damp and structural movement are the typical reasons for plaster failure.
Want a local pro to handle this? A skilled plasterer is worth seeking out — the trade has a wide skill range and a £900 plaster job done badly looks worse than walls left alone. Word-of-mouth recommendations and seeing recent work in person are the best ways to find quality plasterers.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
