Assess & repair plaster.

Plaster repair in the UK typically costs £60–£300 for routine small repairs (cracks, holes, small patches) and £300–£1,000+ for larger areas with structural causes (damp, settlement, lath-and-plaster failure). The cheapest mistake is repeated cosmetic patching of cracks that have a structural cause — the cracks always come back.

Diagnosis matters more than treatment. A 30-minute professional assessment can tell you whether you have movement, damp, blown plaster, or simple shrinkage cracks — each needs different treatment.

Typical UK plaster repair costs

Common plaster problems and what they mean

• Hairline cracks — usually shrinkage (new plaster drying) or seasonal movement. Cosmetic; often resolved by filling and repainting.
• Vertical cracks > 2 mm — possible structural movement. Worth investigating with a surveyor before cosmetic repair.
• Stair-step cracks (diagonal) — typically structural movement, often subsidence-related. Don't just patch; investigate cause.
• Bulging plaster — plaster has separated from the wall behind. Hack off and re-plaster.
• Crumbling plaster — usually damp damage; underlying moisture issue must be addressed first.
• Flaking surface — paint adhesion problem rather than plaster problem. Sand back, prime, repaint.
• Brown stains — water leaking from above. Track and fix the source before any plaster work.
• Damp patches — rising or penetrating damp. Specialist damp survey before plaster repair.

The assessment visit — why it's worth £60-£120

A diagnostic visit by an experienced plasterer or surveyor confirms:

• Whether the cause is structural, damp, or cosmetic.
• Whether you need a builder, surveyor, or damp specialist before plastering.
• Realistic scope of work needed (often less than you fear or more than you hoped).
• A written quote with proper measurements.

The £60-£120 is typically refunded against the eventual repair cost.

When to fix vs investigate further

• Repaint cracks recurring within 2-3 years — investigate. Recurring cracks usually mean structural cause that needs addressing.
• Damp patches — investigate first. Damp specialists £80-£200 for survey; can save thousands in misdirected plaster work.
• Brown stains — find and fix the leak source. Plaster repair only after the cause is dealt with.
• Cracks at corners only — usually settlement; cosmetic repair often sufficient.
• Multiple horizontal cracks at first-floor level — possible joist movement; have a structural look.

Things people often miss

• Most cracks are cosmetic — UK homes settle slightly seasonally; small cracks reappearing each year are almost always cosmetic. Don't panic over hairline cracks at corners or above doorways.
• Damp-cured plaster needs to dry — after damp treatment, plaster repair must wait until walls are properly dry. Premature plastering traps damp.
• Period homes need period materials — lath-and-plaster repair with modern gypsum plaster is wrong. Use lime-based plaster on lime-based walls; gypsum on gypsum-based walls.
• Mist coat after plastering — always 50-50 water-thinned paint as the first coat over fresh plaster. Otherwise paint peels.
• Plasterboard repair vs plaster repair — different materials, different tools. Most plasterers handle both, but ask about experience with the type of wall you have.
• Wall thickness check — adding plaster to walls where pictures, sockets, or radiators are fixed may need them re-fixed in different positions.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A plasterer with diagnostic experience can tell you when you need other trades (surveyor, damp specialist) before plaster work. £60-£120 for an assessment visit is typically refunded against the repair and saves money in the long run.