Plasterer Day Rate 2026: How Much Do Plasterers Charge UK?
Plastering is one of those trades where skill shows instantly. A good plasterer leaves a wall so flat you could hold a straight edge to it and see no light. A poor one leaves ripples, trowel marks and hollow patches that show up the moment you paint. So when you are budgeting for a plasterer, the day rate matters, but so does what you get for it.
On Checkatrade's latest figures, the average UK plasterer charges about £300 a day, or around £37.50 an hour. Rates are higher in London and the South East and lower in the North East, Wales and Northern Ireland. Most plasterers price whole jobs rather than hours, so it also helps to know typical job prices.
This guide covers day rates by region, prices for common jobs, what pushes the rate up or down, and how to compare quotes fairly.
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Day rates by region
The national average hides a wide spread. Here is a regional guide.
| Region | Typical day rate |
|---|---|
| London | £380 to £550 |
| South East | £320 to £480 |
| South West | £260 to £380 |
| East of England | £260 to £360 |
| Midlands | £240 to £340 |
| Yorkshire and North West | £220 to £320 |
| North East | £180 to £280 |
| Scotland | £220 to £330 |
| Wales | £200 to £300 |
| Northern Ireland | £190 to £280 |
Checked October 2026: regional ranges from Digital Tradies' 2026 plasterer rates guide (a third party trade site). National average of about £300 a day and £37.50 an hour from Checkatrade's "How much do tradespeople cost" guide, updated October 2026.
Treat these as ranges, not fixed prices. A plasterer in a busy commuter town can charge London style rates, while one in a quieter part of the same region may be well below the range.
Plasterer and labourer teams
Many plasterers work with a labourer who mixes, carries and cleans up. That lets the plasterer spend more of the day on the wall, so a team often finishes faster than one person working alone. You will pay for both, though. Checkatrade puts labourers at about £120 to £280 a day, so a plasterer and labourer team might cost roughly £420 to £580 a day at average rates.
Job prices
Most homeowners never see a day rate on a quote. Plasterers usually price the job, based on how long they think it will take plus materials. Here are typical guide prices.
| Job | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Skim plastering | about £24 per m² |
| Venetian plaster | about £120 per m² |
Checked October 2026: Checkatrade.
To turn that into a whole room, multiply the wall and ceiling area by the rate. A small bedroom with about 35m² of wall and 10m² of ceiling might come to roughly 45m², or around £1,080 at £24 per m², before any boarding, patching or making good.
How long common jobs take
Time on site drives the price. As a rough guide, assuming a competent plasterer working with a labourer:
| Job | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Skim a ceiling in a small room | half a day |
| Skim walls and ceiling of a small bedroom | 1 day |
| Skim walls and ceiling of a large living room | 1.5 to 2 days |
| Board and skim a ceiling | 1 to 1.5 days |
| Hack off and replaster a room (float and set) | 2 to 4 days |
These are rule of thumb timings to help you check a quote against the day rates above. They are not published averages.
Skim vs float and set
A skim is a thin finish coat, usually around 2mm, over existing sound plaster or new plasterboard. It is the most common plastering job and the quickest.
Float and set means applying a thicker backing coat, such as bonding or browning, and then a finish coat. It is used when old plaster has been hacked off back to brick or block. It takes longer, uses more material and costs more.
You can work out bags for either job with our plaster calculator.
What affects rates
Location
As the table shows, region is the biggest single factor. Higher living costs, parking charges and busy diaries all push London rates up.
Experience and reputation
A plasterer with a long waiting list and a strong reputation can charge more. Newly qualified plasterers often charge less to build up their customer base.
Size of job
Small jobs often cost more per square metre. A plasterer may charge a half day or full day minimum, because travel and setup take the same time whatever the size.
Preparation
Any preparation adds time: removing old wallpaper, filling cracks, fixing loose plaster, adding beads to corners, or boarding over damaged ceilings. Artex ceilings may need testing for asbestos before work starts, especially in older homes.
Access
High ceilings, stairwells and rooms full of furniture slow work down. Stairwells often need a scaffold tower or platform.
Materials
Plaster itself is a modest cost compared with labour. Plasterboard, beads, PVA and scrim tape add up on bigger jobs, so check whether they are included.
Finish
Specialist finishes like Venetian plaster or lime plaster need skill and time and cost much more than a standard skim.
Quotes
Compare like with like
Ask each plasterer for a written quote that includes:
- The rooms and areas covered
- Whether it is a skim or a full replaster
- Preparation and making good
- Materials, including boards and beads
- Removal of rubbish
- How long the job will take
- When payment is due
If one quote is much lower, check what is missing. Often it leaves out preparation or waste removal.
Day rate or fixed price?
A fixed price gives you certainty and is common for clear jobs like skimming a room. A day rate suits jobs where the amount of work is uncertain, such as patching around old walls. If you agree a day rate, ask for an estimate of the number of days.
Check their work
Look at photos of previous jobs and ask for references. A good plasterer will be proud to show you finished walls. Make sure the plasterer has public liability insurance.
Plastering terms explained
Quotes often use trade terms. Here is what they mean.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Skim | A thin finish coat over sound plaster or plasterboard |
| Float and set | A backing coat followed by a finish coat, used on bare masonry |
| Bonding | A backing plaster for low suction surfaces such as engineering brick or concrete |
| Browning | A backing plaster for high suction surfaces such as common brick or block |
| Multi finish | A finish plaster suitable for most backgrounds |
| Dot and dab | Fixing plasterboard to a wall with blobs of adhesive |
| Beads | Metal or plastic strips that form clean corners and edges |
| Scrim tape | Mesh tape over board joints to stop cracks |
| Making good | Repairing around sockets, frames and damaged areas |
Common extras
These items often appear on top of the basic plastering price:
- Boarding. Overboarding a cracked or Artex ceiling before skimming.
- Hacking off. Removing old, loose or blown plaster back to the brick.
- Beads. New corner and stop beads on every external corner.
- Removal of sockets and switch plates. An electrician may need to loosen or refit these.
- Coving. Fitting new coving after the ceiling is skimmed.
- Waste. Bagging and removing old plaster, which is heavy and bulky.
- Protection. Dust sheets and masking for floors and fittings.
Ask for each extra to be priced separately so you can see where the money goes.
Best time to book
Plasterers are often busy in spring and early summer, when many people start home projects. Bookings can be easier in late autumn and winter, though cold, damp conditions slow drying. Whatever the season, a few weeks' notice is normal for a good plasterer.
Doing it yourself
Skimming is harder than it looks. It is a skill that takes years to master, and the plaster starts to set while you are still working. Small patch repairs can be done by a confident DIYer with ready mixed filler or one coat plaster, but for whole walls and ceilings, a professional usually gives a far better finish and is quicker.
Drying and decorating
New plaster needs time to dry before painting. A skim might dry in a few days to a week, while thicker backing coats take longer. Our guide to how long plaster takes to dry explains the timings. Use a mist coat (diluted emulsion) for the first coat on new plaster. When it is ready, a decorator can finish the job.
If you are a plasterer
If you are setting your own rate, use our day rate calculator to work out what you need to charge to cover tax, van costs, tools and holidays, then compare with the regional ranges above. Our UK tradesmen day rates index compares plastering with 25 other trades.
FAQs
How much does a plasterer charge per day?
About £300 a day on average in the UK, according to Checkatrade. In London, expect about £380 to £550.
How much does a plasterer charge per hour?
About £37.50 an hour on average, but most plasterers prefer to quote by the job or day.
How much does it cost to skim a room?
Around £24 per m² on average. A small bedroom might cost about £1,000 including the ceiling, depending on condition and preparation.
Is it cheaper to pay by the day or by the job?
Neither is always cheaper. A fixed price protects you from overruns. A day rate can work out cheaper if the job goes smoothly.
How many rooms can a plasterer skim in a day?
Usually one small to medium room, walls and ceiling, with a labourer helping. Large rooms can take longer.
Do plasterers charge VAT?
Only if they are VAT registered. In 2026, a business must register once its taxable turnover passes £90,000. Many sole trader plasterers are below the threshold.
Should I tip my plasterer?
There is no expectation, but tea, coffee and access to a toilet are always appreciated.
Can a plasterer fix cracks?
Yes. Fine cracks can be filled and skimmed. Larger cracks may need scrim tape or new board. If cracks keep coming back, ask a builder or surveyor to check for movement first.
Get quotes
Measure the walls and ceilings, take photos of their condition, and send the same details to at least three local plasterers.
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