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Plastering cost: what it really costs in 2026
Skim coats to full re-plasters.
£22 – £31 /m² (skim)
Skimming a wall starts around £22/m². A full room re-plaster runs £700–£1,550 by size, and new stud walls about £60–£108/m².
Price by spec
| Option | What it means | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Skim plaster | Smooth coat over sound walls | £22 – £31 /m² |
| Room re-plaster | Back to brick, full room | £700 – £1,550 |
| Stud wall | New partition, boarded both sides | £60 – £108 /m² |
What actually happens
- Furniture out, floors sheeted, sockets loosened
- Old loose plaster off (re-plaster) or walls keyed (skim)
- Boarding or bonding coat where needed
- Skim coat on — two passes, trowel-polished
- Drying: pink and patchy for days is normal
- Mist coat of watered-down emulsion before painting
Popular choices
Smooth skim over ArtexAcoustic stud walls between living spacesLime plaster for period properties
Regulations to know
- No regulations for plastering itself — but new stud walls forming rooms can trigger building regs for ventilation and escape windows
Tips from the trade
- Never paint fresh plaster with normal emulsion — mist coat first or it peels
- Artex before the mid-80s can contain asbestos; test before sanding
Plan this project properly
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Start planning on QomePrices on this page are approximate, region-adjusted guide figures built from cross-checked UK cost data. They exist to inform you, not to bind anyone. Actual prices are whatever you and your tradesperson agree, and a difference between a Qome guide figure and a real quote is not a fault in either.