Plaster Installation Guide

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01/10/25, 16:19
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Plaster Installation Guide
Scope of Works
Survey & preparation – protect floors, strip loose décor, check for damp and mark any blown areas.
Substrate treatment – apply PVA/bonding agent to regulate suction and improve adhesion.
Fix angle & stop beads for crisp corners and consistent thickness.
Apply backing coats (bonding or hard‑wall) to level surfaces, ruling off between beads.
Skim finish in two tight passes for a smooth, paint‑ready face.
Light sand, mist‑coat and tidy; remove rubble, wash tools and leave the area clean.
Typical Cost (inc. VAT)
Charge type | Low £ | High £ | Notes |
Call‑out / minimum | 60 | 100 | Often added to small patch jobs HomeownerCosts |
Labour per hour | 25 | 45 | Equivalent to £150 – £300 / day for 2025 plasterers Price This PleaseCheckatrade |
Materials | 80 | 300 | Backing & finish plaster, beads, PVA, tape Checkatrade |
Disposal | 0 | 80 | Bagged debris or mini‑skip HomeownerCosts |
Extras (e.g. scaffold tower) | 0 | 600 | Stairwells or high ceilings increase cost HomeownerCosts |
TOTAL (most jobs come in here) | 600 | 1,800 | Small to large room fully plastered (walls & ceiling) Checkatrade |
Time on Site
Expect 1 – 2 days for an average‑sized room (allow extra drying between coats). More time may be needed for multiple rooms, intricate mouldings, damp repairs or scaffold set‑up.
Questions to Ask Your Trade
Will you mesh‑reinforce joints and stress‑points to stop cracking?
How many coats and drying cycles are included, and who ventilates the room overnight?
Are materials itemised separately so I can compare like‑for‑like quotes?
What methods will you use to contain dust and protect nearby furniture?
Do you carry public liability insurance and provide a written guarantee?
How will unexpected issues (e.g., hidden damp) be cost‑ed and approved?
Can you supply recent customer references for full‑room installations?
How to Avoid Surprises
Clear at least 1 m of working space around each wall and remove fragile items.
Reserve close parking for mixing gear and waste removal bags.
Confirm access to water and power for mixing and lighting.
Ask if a tower or scaffold is necessary for ceilings or stairwells.
Get a written variation order for any extra work discovered once old plaster is stripped.
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