Cost to Plaster a Ceiling

Trying to find out the cost to plaster a ceiling?

On average, the cost of plastering a ceiling is around £390.

In this guide, we look at the ceiling plasterer prices, plasterboarding a ceiling cost, and skimming and plastering ceilings of different sizes.

We also look at how long plastering a ceiling takes, and any other additional costs involved.

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How Much Does it Cost to Plaster a Ceiling?

How much does plastering cost?

Plastering prices may vary depending on the size of your ceiling. For instance, a small ceiling typically costs £240 to £390 in wet plaster, between £320 to £490 for a medium-sized ceiling, and £480 to £810 for a large ceiling.

These prices are based on wet plaster installation. However, if you would prefer plasterboard, then you should expect to pay between £460 to £580 for a small ceiling, £680 to £800 for an average-sized ceiling, and £820 to £1,100 for a large ceiling.

But, how do you know if you need to re-plaster your ceiling?

If the plaster on your ceiling is cracked and falling down, you know it's time to re-plaster - but it isn't always that obvious.

If your ceilings look a bit tired and painting never makes much difference, then it's time to consider having the plaster renewed to provide a fresh and smooth new canvas on which to base your decorating efforts.

Plastering a Ceiling Prices

Here is a breakdown of typical plastering costs for different-sized ceilings with plasterboard and wet plaster.

These prices may vary depending on how long the job takes and how high your ceilings are, as the steeper the ceiling, the harder it will be to plaster.

Supply Only Costs

If you plan on conducting DIY plastering, then you should consider the following supply costs for different types of plaster.

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Additional Costs

To calculate the full cost of plastering, you should look at additional jobs that may need to be performed alongside skimming plasterboard and ceiling plastering.

Painting and Decorating

You can decorate your room once your ceiling has been plastered. You can choose to paint the room yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you.

The average cost of painting your walls is around £440, however, if you need to have any old wallpaper removed, you could end up paying £540 or more.

Installing a Light Fitting

After your ceiling has been plastered and painted, you can install any light fixtures to brighten the room.

Again, you can fix a ceiling light yourself or call a professional electrician to install and wire your lighting. Installing a new light fitting costs anywhere from £150 for a single lightweight pendant, to £950 for a 6-lamp lighting grid.

Plastering a Wall

You may also want to consider plastering your walls along with your ceiling, which will completely rejuvenate your living space.

The cost of plastering a wall is generally around £250 for a single wall, or for plastering repairs, you can expect to pay £170 to £400.

When hiring someone, make sure you employ someone who knows how to plaster a wall while providing a high-quality finish.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The average labour cost for plasterers is typically around £170 per day for general plastering and repairs jobs. However, they may charge up to £230 to plaster a ceiling as it tends to be a more difficult task.

The timescale of plastering a ceiling will depend on the size and the type of plaster you use.

Generally, a small ceiling normally takes around one day to complete, while a larger ceiling could take up to two days or more, depending on the drying time.

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Cost Factors of Plastering a Ceiling

To determine how much to plaster a ceiling, you will need to consider the following factors:

Type of Plaster

The type of plaster used is one of the most important factors, as different types of plaster have varying costs.

For instance, plasterboard is the most expensive as it costs anywhere from £4 to £62 per board.

There are also varying prices for wet plaster options, with cheap choices including multi-finish plaster, which costs £0.35 to £0.50 per kg.

Undercoat plaster is normally priced at £0.50 to £1.20 per kg, and finishing plaster costs £0.80 to £0.95 per kg.

Location of Property

Where you live is also a considerable factor, as tradespeople tend to change their rates depending on how far they travel, so if you live in a rural area, you should expect to pay more.

You will also receive higher quotes from plasterers in London who typically charge £230 per day, while tradespeople in the north-west normally have a set daily rate of £170.

Ease of Access

Another key element that is considered when evaluating a plastering job is the level of access to the ceiling, as lower ceilings tend to be much easier to work with.

If you have a high ceiling, this will be much harder to plaster, so whoever you hire may charge extra, as it will be more time-consuming and challenging.

Size of Ceiling

Before giving you a price, a plasterer may ask for measurements or take a look at the space to assess the size of the ceiling, as the larger your ceiling is, the more you will pay.

For example, a small bedroom ceiling may only cost £250 to £580, while a large living room ceiling is typically priced at £500 to £1,100.

Quality of Finish

The plaster finish you choose will also determine the price, as some are harder to achieve than others. If you have a low budget, consider plain cement plaster, one of the most popular finishes.

Another standard option is sand face plastering with one part cement and four parts sand, which helps to create a sandy look and feel. The latter is more expensive as it takes a lot longer to apply and requires extra care.

What's Involved in Plastering a Ceiling?

If you're unsure of the plastering process, here's how to plaster a ceiling.

• The first step usually involves measuring the ceiling space to ensure they have the right materials for the job. If you have a non-sloping ceiling, the tradesman will measure the floor space to give accurate measurements.
• Once they have all the plastering materials, they will start the job by removing or covering any furniture and flooring to avoid damage.
• Before plastering, the tradesman will prepare the ceiling by sanding down any uneven patches to eliminate any blemishes or faults. They will then remove any dust and wipe down the area with soap and water to ensure all the dirt has gone. They may also add some degreaser to ensure the plaster sets properly.
• If applying wet plaster, this needs to be mixed with equal parts of plaster and water. A small amount of water will then be added to the ceiling along with the plaster, using a skimming technique to lay on the plaster in thin rows. This should then be left for 48 hours before another layer is added.
• Installing plasterboard will involve lining up the boards in the corner of the room and then supporting them with noggins, which will all be installed between the joists. Once the plasterboards are in place, perforated plaster tape will then be taped over the boards.
• After the boards have been taped up, the joint filler will then be mixed with water to make a stiff but smooth paste. Once it is thoroughly mixed, this will then be applied to the exposed joints on the boards using a trowel. The ceiling should then be left for 24 hours
• Once the 24 hours are up, the plasterer will then come back and sand down the ceiling with 120-grit paper. They will then clear away any dust to prevent an unpleasant build-up of dirt.

Can I Plaster a Ceiling Myself?

Plastering may look easy, but don't be tempted to try and do it yourself just because you have seen a plasterer do it and it looked easy. Plastering is one of the trades where getting a professional to do the work for you pays off every time.

This is because it is a highly-skilled trade with its own tools and techniques, which some never really get the knack for, no matter how much they practice.

The main thing that catches out most DIY enthusiasts is just how quickly skim plaster goes hard. Skimming is as much about timing as anything else, as going for a polished finish too late, or too quickly, can result in a mess.

Once skim has gone hard, you cannot work with it anymore. The only option is to smooth it by sanding, which will take a long time and is incredibly tiring, especially when you're working with your arms overhead.

But, it is the mixing of the skim plaster where it all goes wrong for many new to plastering. The plaster has to be mixed to a thick, sloppy consistency with no lumps. Always add dry plaster to water and mix, never add water to the powder.

However, if you know how to skim a wall, doing your skim plastering can save you a fortune. But, very few do have the skills to achieve a professional-looking finish, plus when you get it wrong, it can cost even more to put it right (the plasterer will likely have to strip off the mess you have made, and start again).

If you are a particularly handy person and think you can do it, it may be worth buying a sheet of plasterboard and practising for a few hours.

Check out our how-to guide on plastering:

• How to plasterboard a ceiling
• How to skim a wall
• How to Artex a wall or ceiling

Types of Ceiling Plaster

Different types of ceiling plaster may vary in cost due to broader construction trends.

Our Construction Statistics page gives up-to-date insight on the latest trends in construction.

There are various types of plaster that can be used on a ceiling, including:

Plasterboard Cost

Plasterboard is a board made of two sheets of paper bonded together with plaster.

The average cost of plasterboard is normally around £4 to £62 per board.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to install compared to wet plastering
• ✔ Lower risk of cracking
• ✔ More DIY-friendly than wet plastering

Cons

• ✖ Not suitable for all ceilings, especially those that slope or have awkward angles
• ✖ Soundproofing properties are not as good as wet plaster

Wet Plaster Cost

Wet plastering is a traditional method that involves mixing water with lime, gypsum, or cement to create a smooth and durable finish.

Plaster tends to range between £0.35 per kg for to £1.20 per kg for undercoat, multi-finish, and finishing wet plaster.

Pros

• ✔ Flexible application, suitable for awkward angles, high surfaces, and different sizes and shapes
• ✔ Clean, smooth finish with a high-quality seal
• ✔ More airtight than plasterboards

Cons

• ✖ Less suitable for DIY enthusiasts
• ✖ Long drying times
• ✖ Higher labour costs as wet plaster often needs repeat visits to add extra layers

Does My Ceiling Need Plastering?

Professional plasterers advise having your ceiling plastered every 10 years.

However, this will depend on the plastering work, as some high-quality finishes may last longer than others.

You should consider having your ceiling plastered if you have had any roof leaks, and especially if you have any noticeable damp stains on your ceiling, which can cause previous plastering work to rot or peel.

Benefits of Plastering a Ceiling

Having your ceiling plastered offers a wide range of benefits, including:

Smoother Appearance

One of the biggest advantages of having your ceiling plastered is that it provides a smooth finish, which is much more attractive. This will enhance the look of your property and increase its value.

Easy to Paint Over

Plastering your ceiling will make it a lot easier to paint over, as it provides a smooth and durable surface which will make the painting process quicker, and will also enable it to last longer.

No More Cracks

Having your ceiling plastered will also repair any cracks in the sealing and make it a lot safer while also preventing leaks.

Before the plastering begins, the tradesman will patch up any cracks and sand over them to ensure they do not reopen.

Ceiling Plaster Repair and Maintenance Cost

To ensure your plaster remains in good condition, you may need to hire a professional to perform the following repairs and maintenance.

Skimming Cost

Skimming is the process of applying a thin layer of plaster over existing plaster to make the surface smoother.

You can hire a professional to skim your ceiling, which will cost anywhere from £180 to £240 for a full day's work.

Crack Filling Cost

If you have any cracks in your ceiling, you can hire a plasterer to repair them for you, which typically costs around £50.

Hiring Contractors to Plaster a Ceiling Checklist

Before hiring someone, you should take a look at the following checklist to ensure you choose the right person for the job:

• Gather at least 3 quotes from different plasterers before settling on your chosen tradesperson to ensure you're getting a fair price.
• Ask for an itemised breakdown of costs so you can see exactly what's included in your fee.
• Make sure they check out your ceiling in person before they give you a quote.
• Enquire about previous jobs and check reviews to ensure that they are trustworthy and reliable.
• Check if they have extensive plastering experience and qualifications, including a Level 2 Technical Certificate in Plastering or a Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plastering.
• Double-check to see if they have employer's liability and public liability insurance to protect you and their workers should any incident occur.

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