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myGypsum Plaster Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of gypsum plastering is £650.
- Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes between 1 and 2 days.
- A breakdown of current gypsum plaster costs in the UK and what affects prices.
- Timescales for gypsum plastering jobs and what's typically involved.
- How to find and hire a local plasterer using MyJobQuote.
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Gypsum plaster is the standard choice for interior walls and ceilings in the vast majority of UK homes, from brand-new plasterboard partitions to the occasional skim in a period property.
This guide sets out what you should expect to pay for gypsum plastering in 2026, what pushes the price up or down, and how gypsum stacks up against lime plaster, cement render, and ready-mixed alternatives.
£650
Table of Contents
- How Much Does Gypsum Plaster Cost?
- Gypsum Plastering Labour Costs
- Gypsum Plastering Supply-Only Prices
- What Affects the Cost of Gypsum Plaster?
- Additional Costs of Gypsum Plaster
- What's Included in a Plasterer's Quote?
- How to Keep Costs Down
- What Is Gypsum Plaster?
- Cost of Gypsum Plaster vs Other Plasters
- Types of Gypsum Plaster
- Checklist: Hiring a Plasterer in the UK
- FAQs
How Much Does Gypsum Plaster Cost?
The cost of plastering a room with gypsum plaster will usually be between £375 and £1,500, but the final cost of your plastering project will depend on a number of factors.
Which type of gypsum plaster do you need?
Finish coat or skim
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Bonding coat (undercoat)
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Board finish (for plasterboard)
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One-coat plaster
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The size and layout of the room, whether you're plastering on to bare masonry or prepared plasterboard, and if the ceiling also needs plastering, will all impact the final gypsum plastering cost.
Gypsum Plaster Prices for Masonry Walls
Plastering walls with wet gypsum plaster applied directly to masonry or blockwork costs around £25 to £40 per m², materials and labour included. However, bigger rooms often work out cheaper per square metre, since a plasterer can cover more area in a single visit without the setup time being repeated.
Based on these typical rates per square metre, the table below shows the typical gypsum plastering costs for different sized projects.
| Job Type | Typical Cost | Typical Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Single Wall | £200–£350 | ½ to 1 day |
| Small Room (2m×2m) |
£500–£750 | 1 to 2 days |
| Medium Room (3m×3m) |
£700–£1,000 | 2 to 3 days |
| Large Room (5m×4m) |
£1,000–£1,500 | 3 to 4 days |
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Gypsum Plaster Prices for Plasterboard Skimming
Skimming already installed plasterboard is not as expensive as plastering bare masonry, due to less material and time needed to complete the job.
Skimming plasterboard walls with a gypsum plaster finish coat costs around £13 to £30 per m² for labour and materials. Smaller projects will typically cost more per square metre, due to call-out and minimum labour fees making up more of the total costs.
The table below shows the typical costs for skimming over plasterboard for different room sizes, based on the average gypsum plastering costs per square metre:
| Plasterboard Area | Typical Gypsum Plaster Cost | Typical Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Small room (2m×2m) Walls |
£375–£500 | 1 day |
| Small room (2m×2m) Walls and ceiling |
£500–£700 | 1 to 2 days |
| Medium room (3m×3m) Walls |
£425–£600 | 1 to 2 days |
| Medium room (3m×3m) Walls and ceiling |
£600–£850 | 1 to 2 days |
| Large room (5m×4m) Walls |
£550–£750 | 2 to 3 days |
| Large room (5m×4m) Walls and ceiling |
£800–£1,100 | 2 to 3 days |
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Gypsum Plastering Labour Costs
Plasterers typically charge a day rate of £200 to £300, although this can rise to £250 to £350 in London and the South East.
Translating this into the total labour costs for your gypsum plastering project, the table below shows examples of how much you can expect to pay for labour for plastering the two wall types in different-sized rooms:
| Room Size / Work | Typical UK Labour Cost | Typical London and South East Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small room (2m×2m) Masonry walls |
£300–£450 | £400–£550 |
| Medium room (3m×3m) Masonry walls |
£450–£650 | £550–£750 |
| Large room (5m×4m) Masonry walls |
£650–£900 | £800–£1,050 |
| Small room (2m×2m) Plasterboard walls |
£200–£300 | £250–£400 |
| Medium room (3m×3m) Plasterboard walls |
£250–£400 | £300–£500 |
| Large room (5m×4m) Plasterboard walls |
£400–£550 | £500–£650 |
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As you can see from the figures, gypsum plaster labour costs are higher when the application is on masonry walls, as these require an undercoat followed by a finish coat, which means more time and labour.
Gypsum Plastering Supply-Only Prices
For most gypsum plastering jobs, materials are a relatively small part of the overall cost compared with labour. A 25kg bag of finish plaster (like Thistle Multi Finish) costs £10 to £15 and covers around 10m² at a standard 2–3mm skim thickness.
Undercoat products such as Hardwall or bonding coat cost a bit more, around £15 to £20 per 25kg bag, but cover far less area per bag, since they're applied thicker (around 11mm) on bare brick or block.
The table below shows the typical supply-only costs per square metre for the gypsum plaster you'll need, depending on the type of plastering project you're looking to complete:
| Type of Gypsum Plaster | Typical Coverage per 25kg | Typical Material Cost per m² |
|---|---|---|
| Finish / Skim Plaster | 10m² | £1–£1.50 |
| Gypsum Undercoat Plaster | 3m² | £5–£7 |
| Undercoat + Finish Plaster | — | £6–£8.50 |
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The majority of homeowners will probably choose to hire a plasterer for their gypsum plastering project, and getting a professional to take care of everything is why the total cost will be more than just the cost of labour and materials.
It's possible you might save some money by buying the materials yourself and hiring a plasterer for the application, but then you would be taking on all the sourcing, organising, and project management, which a professional plasterer would take care of.
What Affects the Cost of Gypsum Plaster?
A handful of factors explain most of the variation in quotes:
- Room size and shape — Larger rooms are usually better value per m2, but small, fiddly spaces with lots of corners take longer relative to their size.
- Wall condition — A skim over sound existing plaster, at roughly £13 to £30 per m2, is far cheaper than stripping back and replastering from scratch, which costs around £25 to £40 per m2, rising to £35 to £55 per m2 where there is extra preparation to do.
- Access and ceiling height — High ceilings and awkward layouts add time, which adds labour cost.
- Type of work — Skimming plasterboard is cheaper than a full wet-plaster job on bare masonry.
- Location — Labour rates can run 20%-40% higher in London and the South East than in northern England, Scotland or Wales.
- Job size and bundling — Plasterers often price multiple rooms more favourably than several separate one-room visits.
Additional Costs of Gypsum Plaster
- Stripping old plaster — £50 to £150 for a small room, more if it needs to be fully removed and disposed of.
- Fitting new plasterboard before skimming — Roughly £500 to £1,400, depending on the area covered.
- Surface preparation on damaged walls — Can add around £15 per m2 to the job.
- Waste removal or skip hire — Around £20 to £250, depending on the volume of rubble.
- Mist coat before decorating — Around £10 to £40.
Always ask a plasterer to confirm exactly what is included, such as materials, preparation, protection of fixtures, clean-up and waste removal, before work starts. This helps avoid surprises on the final invoice.
What's Included in a Plasterer's Quote?
Usually Included
- Labour
- Gypsum plaster materials
- Basic surface preparation
- Basic clean-up after the job
Usually Not Included
Ask about these separately:
- Supplying and fixing plasterboard
- Wallpaper stripping
- Decorating or painting
- Major repairs to the wall structure itself
How to Keep Costs Down
- Prep the room yourself by stripping wallpaper, clearing furniture and applying PVA (polyvinyl acetate) if the plasterer advises it.
- Bundle multiple rooms into one visit rather than booking separate call-outs.
- Get at least three quotes so you can compare like for like.
- Ask whether a skim over sound existing plaster would do the job, rather than a full replaster.
What Is Gypsum Plaster?
Gypsum plaster is made from calcium sulphate hemihydrate, a gypsum mineral that's been heated to drive off water, then ground down and blended with setting agents and fillers.
It sets within 1 to 2 hours, gives a smooth, paintable finish, and offers decent fire resistance, which is why it's the default choice for plasterboard and modern masonry construction alike.
Gypsum plaster usually chemically sets on the wall within an hour and dries within 3 to 5 days, though full curing can take up to 2 weeks. Thicker coats take longer.
The reliable visual cue that it's ready for paint is an even, uniformly light colour across the whole surface. Painting over patches that are still dark and damp is a common cause of peeling paint later on.
British Gypsum is the best-known UK brand, with product lines including Thistle Multi Finish, Board Finish and Hardwall.
The main limitation is moisture: Gypsum plaster isn't designed for damp or exterior conditions, and applying it over an old, salt-contaminated lime substrate can cause adhesion problems later on. For anything persistently damp, lime plaster or a dedicated moisture-resistant system is the safer bet.
Cost of Gypsum Plaster vs Other Plasters
While gypsum plaster is the most common type of plaster for UK homes, plaster alternatives do exist which are worth considering and comparing to.
Lime Plaster Cost
Lime plaster, made from lime putty or hydraulic lime, sand and water, costs more per bag. It is usually around £16 to £18 for 20kg-25kg, compared with £10 to £15 for gypsum.
Labour is also considerably more expensive, as lime plaster needs multiple coats and weeks or months to cure properly. It also requires more specialist skill to apply.
Its advantage is breathability. In solid-walled period properties, lime lets moisture escape through the wall rather than trapping it, which can help prevent damp problems that gypsum may otherwise store up.
For a standard modern home with cavity walls or plasterboard, gypsum remains the more practical and affordable choice. For an older solid-wall property with a damp history, lime's higher upfront cost can pay for itself over time.
Cement Render Cost
Cement render costs around £10 to £15 per 25kg bag, making it cheaper than gypsum.
However, it is mainly used externally or where a hard, impact-resistant surface is needed. It is rarely the right choice for a standard interior wall and lacks gypsum's smooth, paint-ready finish.
Ready-Mixed Plaster Cost
Ready-mixed plaster costs around £15 to £20 per 10kg tub. This makes it more expensive per kilogram than gypsum or cement render.
However, its convenience makes it useful for small patch repairs or decorative finishes where speed matters more than covering a large area cheaply. It does not need mixing, offers consistent quality and can be applied quickly.
Types of Gypsum Plaster
Finish Coat or Skim
Finish coat, also known as skim, is a thin 2mm-3mm topcoat applied over existing plaster, fresh plasterboard or an undercoat to create a smooth, decorable surface. This is what most domestic replastering jobs actually involve.
It is generally used for interior walls and ceilings.
Bonding Coat
Bonding coat is an undercoat applied first on smooth or low-to-medium-suction backgrounds. It gives the topcoat something reliable to key onto, improving long-term durability.
Board Finish
Board finish is a finish coat formulated specifically for plasterboard and other low-suction surfaces. It is the product most commonly used when skimming new boards.
One-Coat Plaster
One coat plaster combines undercoat and topcoat into a single product, applied in one pass. It is useful for smaller jobs or repairs where a full two-coat system is not practical.
Acoustic Plaster
There are also specialist gypsum-based acoustic plaster systems, which are great for absorbing sounds and reducing reverberations within a room.
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Checklist: Hiring a Plasterer in the UK
- Get multiple written quotes so you can compare price, experience and scope.
- Check reviews from previous customers where available.
- Confirm the plasterer has public liability insurance.
- Ask whether waste removal is included, or whether you will need to arrange it.
- Request an itemised breakdown before work begins, rather than just a single total.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Plaster a Room With Gypsum?
Wet gypsum plaster costs £25 to £40 per m2, while plasterboard skim costs £13 to £30 per m2. The exact figure depends on your region, access and the condition of the existing walls.
How Long Does Gypsum Plaster Take to Dry Before Painting?
Gypsum plaster usually takes around 3 to 5 days to dry under normal indoor conditions, with full curing taking up to 2 weeks. Wait for an even, uniformly light colour across the surface before painting, as decorating too soon is a common cause of peeling paint.
Can I Use Gypsum Plaster in a Bathroom or Kitchen?
Gypsum plaster is not well suited to consistently wet areas. Use a moisture-resistant board or tiling system around showers and baths. If you use gypsum in a kitchen, keep it away from areas where water or food regularly splashes.
Do I Need to Remove Old Plaster Before Applying Gypsum Plaster?
Not if the existing plaster is sound and firmly attached. A skim coat over the top is cheaper and quicker. If the plaster is loose, cracked or clearly deteriorating, it will need to come off first, which adds to both labour and waste-disposal costs.
How Many Coats of Gypsum Plaster Do I Need?
On plasterboard or good-quality existing plaster, one or two thin finish coats are usually enough. On bare brick or block, you will typically need a bonding or Hardwall undercoat followed by a finish coat.
