How Much Do Plasterers Charge? UK Rates 2026

UK plasterers charge either a day rate (£150-250) or per square metre (£15-25/m²). London and South East rates are 20-30% higher. The pricing method depends on job size: day rates for small jobs (single room), per-m² for larger projects (full house).

Day Rates

A plasterer's day rate covers 7-8 hours of work and includes their labour only (materials billed separately or quoted inclusive). Day rates are common for small jobs, repairs or jobs with uncertain scope.

Day rates assume an experienced, qualified plasterer. Apprentices or labourers working under supervision charge £80-120/day. Specialist plasterers (ornamental work, heritage restoration) charge £250-400/day.

Per Square Metre Rates

Per-m² pricing is standard for larger jobs where the scope is clear. The plasterer measures wall and ceiling area, applies a rate, and provides a fixed quote. This method is fairer for both parties on full-room or full-house jobs.

Ceiling work costs the same per m² as walls but takes longer due to overhead position and physical difficulty. Repairs and patching are more expensive per m² because they require matching existing finishes and working in confined areas.

Self-Employed vs Company Rates

Self-employed plasterers (sole traders) typically charge 10-20% less than plastering companies. A self-employed plasterer quotes £150-200/day or £15-20/m², while a company sends a plasterer at £180-250/day or £18-25/m².

The company premium covers business overheads (insurance, vehicle, admin, marketing) and provides better accountability. Companies offer written quotes, insurance-backed guarantees and replacement tradespeople if someone is sick. Self-employed plasterers offer lower prices but less formal protection.

How Plasterer Quotes Work

Professional plasterers provide written quotes after inspecting the job. The quote should specify:

• Total area in m² (walls and ceiling separately)
• Rate per m² or total fixed price
• Materials included or excluded (plaster, PVA, scrim tape, beading)
• Preparation work (surface cleaning, repairs, PVA application)
• Number of coats (skim or 2-coat wet plaster)
• Timeline (start date, duration, drying time)
• Payment terms (deposit, stage payments, final payment)

Quotes are usually free for jobs over £200. Some plasterers charge £30-50 for quotes on small repair work to cover travel and inspection time.

What Affects Plasterer Rates?

Experience and Reputation

Highly-rated plasterers with 10+ years experience charge at the top end of regional rates. Checkatrade or MyBuilder ratings above 4.8/5 usually correlate with £200-250/day rates. Newer plasterers (2-5 years experience) charge £150-180/day to build portfolio and reputation.

Job Complexity

Standard rectangular rooms are cheapest. Curved walls, bay windows, archways or ornamental work add 20-40% to base rates. High ceilings (above 2.4m) requiring scaffolding towers add £50-100 per room for equipment hire.

Access and Location

Difficult access (narrow stairs, no parking, upper floors without lift) increases rates by 10-15%. Rural locations with long travel distance add travel time charges (£30-50) or higher base rates to cover fuel and time.

Volume and Timing

Full house plastering is 10-15% cheaper per m² than single rooms because plasterers prefer continuous work. Off-season work (November-February) can negotiate 10-20% discounts. Summer (May-August) is peak season with higher rates and longer lead times.

Materials: Included or Extra?

Some plasterers quote labour-only rates, billing materials separately. Others provide all-inclusive quotes covering labour and materials. All-inclusive quotes are simpler for homeowners but may not itemise material costs.

Typical materials cost for a standard room (4m × 3m walls only):

• Multi-finish plaster (3 bags): £24-36
• PVA sealer: £5-10
• Scrim tape, beading: £10-15
• Total materials: £40-60

A £300 all-inclusive quote for this room includes £240-260 labour and £40-60 materials (materials are 13-20% of total).

When to Negotiate

Plasterers may negotiate on price for:

• Multiple rooms: 10-15% discount for 3+ rooms
• Flexible timing: Fill gaps in their schedule at short notice
• Simple jobs: Straightforward rectangular rooms, good access, well-prepared surfaces
• Off-season: Winter months have lower demand

Do not negotiate on complex jobs, tight timelines or peak season work. Quality plasterers are in high demand and discount pressure reduces time available for careful finishing work.

Payment Terms

Standard payment structure for plastering jobs:

• Small jobs (under £500): Payment on completion
• Medium jobs (£500-2000): 20-30% deposit, balance on completion
• Large jobs (over £2000): 30% deposit, 40% at halfway point, 30% on completion

Never pay 100% upfront. Reputable plasterers do not ask for full payment before starting work. Use platforms like Checkatrade or MyBuilder for deposit protection schemes on jobs over £1000.

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