Find Plasterers in the UK
Search by UK town or postcode
If you'd prefer businesses to reach out to you,
post an enquiry or find your location by the region below.
Need help finding a plasterer near you?
From applying plaster to walls and ceilings to restoration work, Yell helps you hire trusted plasterers near you in just a few steps.
Here’s how it works:
1. Enter your location to browse plasterer profiles or post an enquiry
2. Compare reviews and credentials to find businesses that suit your needs
3. Prefer to speak directly? Call or message businesses straight from their profile
Types of plastering services near you
1. Interior plastering
This is the most common type of plastering and includes skimming walls, ceiling plastering and full-room replastering. Whether you're renovating, repairing damaged plaster, or prepping a space for painting, a professional finish makes all the difference. Plasterers will make sure surfaces are even, durable and ready for decoration.
2. Decorative plastering
Decorative plastering covers things like coving, cornices, ceiling roses and other period-style mouldings. These features add elegance to a room, especially in older homes or formal spaces. A skilled plasterer can install new decorative elements or repair existing ones, blending them into your interior.
3. Restoration work
Older or listed properties often need specialist plastering techniques to restore damaged or worn-out areas. This might include working with lime plaster, repairing cracks, or carefully matching historic finishes. Restoration plasterers take care to preserve the original look while making sure the structure stays sound and safe.
What are the most common plastering jobs?
Plasterers are essential in ensuring your walls and ceilings achieve a neat and durable result. Below are some of the most common plastering jobs they’re called out to handle.
Wall skimming
Skimming is one of the most requested plastering jobs.
It involves applying a thin coat of plaster over existing walls or ceilings to create a smooth surface, usually in preparation for painting or decorating.
Whether you're covering up old, uneven plaster or giving fresh plasterboard a flawless finish, skimming helps create that polished look every home needs.
Ceiling plastering
Ceilings can easily suffer from cracks, sagging or outdated textures like Artex.
A plasterer can remove damaged or unwanted finishes and apply fresh plaster for a smooth ceiling.
This not only improves the look of a room but can also increase light reflection and make the space feel cleaner and brighter.
Plasterboard installation and jointing
When building new walls or refurbishing a room, plasterboard (also known as drywall or drylining) is often used.
Plasterers fix boards in place and then tape and fill the joints to ensure a seamless finish.
Once done, the surface is ready for skimming or direct painting. It’s a fast and cost-effective way to get walls up and looking good.
Patch repairs
Small areas of damage like cracks, holes or water stains don’t always require full replastering.
Patch repairs are a quick fix to restore the area without redoing the entire surface.
Plasterers can blend the repair into the surrounding wall or ceiling so it’s virtually unnoticeable once painted.
Decorative plastering
This covers features like cornices, ceiling roses and ornamental mouldings.
A skilled plasterer can install these from scratch or repair original detailing in older homes.
Decorative plasterwork adds character and is especially popular in period properties or formal living spaces.
Full-room replastering
Sometimes, the best solution is to strip everything back and start fresh.
Full-room replastering is ideal when walls are badly damaged, damp has been treated, or you want to improve insulation.
Plasterers remove the old finish, apply new base coats if needed, then skim the entire space for a uniform result.
How to find the best local plasterers
Finding the right plasterer takes more than a quick search. Here are four key factors to keep in mind to make sure you’re choosing a reliable professional:
Knowledge and experience
The best local plasterers will have direct experience with work like yours. Ask for examples of jobs similar in size and complexity to yours and what results were achieved. This is often the difference between a smooth job and costly rework.
Review portfolios
Review recent portfolios before shortlisting local plasterers. Look for projects similar in scale and finish to your own requirements. Consistent quality across multiple projects is usually a good indicator of reliable work.
Reputation or reviews
Read recent reviews before shortlisting local plasterers. Look for comments on how issues were handled once work started. Consistent patterns across multiple platforms are usually more reliable than one standout rating.
Stage payments
Clear payment terms make it easier to compare local plasterers fairly. Ask when each payment is due and what must be delivered at each stage. A transparent schedule protects both sides and prevents surprise add-ons.
What questions should I ask before hiring a plasterer?
Can you provide a detailed written quote? Ask whether VAT is included and check if there are any extra charges for things like waste removal. A full breakdown helps you compare quotes more easily and avoid unexpected costs.
What kind of experience do you have with this type of job? Ask whether they’ve completed similar jobs and if they can show you photos or customer reviews. Relevant experience is a good sign that they know what they’re doing.
How will you protect my home while you’re working? Plastering can get messy, so it’s worth asking how they’ll protect your floors, furniture, and any nearby fixtures to give you complete peace of mind when the work is commencing.
Do you guarantee your work or offer aftercare? Some plasterers offer guarantees for their work, especially on larger jobs like full-room replastering. A guarantee shows they’re confident in their workmanship.
Top frequently asked questions about plastering
You can paint directly onto walls if they are already smooth and free of cracks or peeling. But if your walls are uneven, flaky or show signs of wear, it is usually worth having them skimmed first.
Replastering creates a long-lasting surface that will make your paint or wallpaper look much better. If you're renovating or have removed old wallpaper, you might also notice damaged patches that need attention.
A plasterer can assess the condition of your walls and advise whether you need a full replaster or just a few small repairs.
Pro tip: Wondering how much a plasterer costs? Check out our cost guide for a full breakdown of plastering prices in the UK.
On average, newly applied plaster takes about five to seven days to dry, but this can vary depending on the type of plaster, the thickness, room temperature and ventilation.
If you're plastering a whole room or several layers are applied, it could take up to two weeks. It is important to wait until the plaster is fully dry before painting, otherwise moisture can become trapped and cause bubbling or mould.
Yes, but there are a few extra things to consider. Cold temperatures and high humidity can slow down drying times and affect how well the plaster bonds to the surface.
If your home is very cold or poorly ventilated, a plasterer might suggest using heaters or dehumidifiers to help the process along.
Professional plasterers know how to adapt to seasonal conditions, so if you're planning work in winter, it is best to ask how they will manage the drying and ventilation to avoid delays or issues.
Bad plastering is usually easy to spot. You might see ripples, bumps or visible trowel marks across the surface.
Poorly blended joints, flaky patches or corners that are not straight are also red flags. If the surface feels rough or crumbles when you touch it, that could mean the plaster was applied incorrectly or not allowed to dry properly.
Good plastering should feel smooth, solid and level all over. If something doesn’t look or feel right, get a second opinion before decorating.
Plaster can be applied to many surfaces, including bare brick, concrete, old plaster, plasterboard and even painted walls, though surface preparation is key.
For brick or concrete, the plasterer might use a base coat or bonding agent first. For plasterboard, they may skim directly or apply joint filler depending on the finish required.
Painted surfaces often need to be scored, sanded or treated with a bonding primer to make sure the plaster sticks properly. A professional will know which preparation is needed for your specific walls.
Plastering can be a bit messy due to the dust, wet materials and constant mixing, but a good plasterer will do everything they can to minimise disruption.
They will usually cover floors and furniture with sheets and clean up after themselves. You can help by clearing the room as much as possible, protecting valuables, and making sure the plasterer has easy access to water and power.
Ventilating the space also helps the drying process, so open windows or use fans if you can.
While it’s possible to learn the basics of plastering, it is a skilled job that takes practice to get right.
DIY plastering might work for small patches or cosmetic fixes, but for full walls or ceilings, hiring a professional is the best way to get a long-lasting result.
Mistakes can be costly to fix and can delay your decorating plans. If you're not confident, getting a professional in can save you time, stress and ensure the work looks good from the start.
It depends on the condition of the existing plaster. If it’s sound, they might skim over it with a fresh layer. But if it’s cracked, blown, or peeling away from the wall, then it usually needs to be removed.
A good plasterer will check the existing surface and explain whether patching or full removal is needed.
Removing old plaster takes more time and effort, so it may affect the price and duration of the job. Make sure you ask what’s included in the quote.
Pro tip: Dealing with large holes or damage in your walls? Read our article on how to repair a hole in the wall.
Not usually. Most plastering jobs are confined to one area at a time, so you can often stay at home while the work takes place.
However, be prepared for some dust and limited use of the room being plastered. Ventilation is key to drying, so you may need to leave windows open.
If large-scale work is happening across multiple rooms, it might be more comfortable to stay elsewhere temporarily.