How Much to Charge for Plastering in the UK (2026 Rates)
Jobnix Team·7 min read·
Pricing plastering work is tricky. Charge too much and you lose the job. Charge too little and you're working for minimum wage by the time you factor in materials and prep. Here's what UK plasterers are actually charging in 2026.
Average plastering day rates
Most self-employed plasterers in the UK charge between £200 and £350 per day, depending on location and experience:
- London and South East: £280–£350/day
- Midlands and North West: £220–£280/day
- Scotland, Wales, North East: £200–£260/day
These rates typically don't include materials. If you're supplying materials, add 15–25% to your quote.
Per room pricing
Many plasterers quote per room rather than by the day. Here are typical 2026 rates:
| Job | Typical Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Skim small room (10–12m²) | £350–£500 | 1 day |
| Skim medium room (15–18m²) | £500–£700 | 1–1.5 days |
| Skim large room (20–25m²) | £700–£950 | 1.5–2 days |
| Full re-plaster small room | £600–£800 | 1.5–2 days |
| Ceiling skim (standard room) | £250–£400 | 0.5–1 day |
| Plasterboard and skim (per m²) | £25–£40 | Varies |
Per square metre rates
- Skimming only: £15–£25 per m²
- Board and skim: £25–£40 per m²
- Dot and dab + skim: £30–£45 per m²
- External rendering: £40–£60 per m² (including materials)
How to price plastering jobs accurately
- Measure the walls - total square metres minus windows and doors
- Assess the condition - is it a clean skim over existing plaster or full re-board?
- Factor in prep time - PVA, scraping, filling, and protecting floors
- Add materials - plaster (roughly £8–12 per bag, covering ~3m² per bag for skim)
- Include your margin - don't forget to pay yourself properly
The fastest way to get accurate quotes out is using quoting software. Set up your per-m² rates once, then just enter room dimensions on site. The quote builds itself.
Common pricing mistakes
- Not checking the walls first - old plaster might need stripping, which doubles the job
- Forgetting ceilings - customers assume ceilings are included unless you specify
- Underestimating prep - prep can be 30% of the total time
- Not charging for materials - always itemise materials separately
plasteringpricingday ratesUK tradesmen