On this page9 sections
- How much does it cost to hire a plasterer?
- What are the different plastering costs?
- How to estimate the cost of plastering a room or house
- Factors that contribute to plastering prices
- What are the different types of plaster?
- Benefits of plaster
- Plasterer, renderer or handyman?
- Questions to ask before hiring a plasterer
- FAQs
What you pay a plasterer comes down to three things: how many square metres need covering, what kind of plaster or plasterboard goes on, and what state the walls and ceilings are in now. This guide covers the going rates, what plasterers on Service.com.au have quoted for common repairs, and how to get a quote you can compare.
How much does it cost to hire a plasterer?
For new work, ask for the area of wall or ceiling, the chosen board or plaster system and the preparation to be itemised. Use the approximate $20 to $90 per m² allowance to compare options, and confirm whether a quote is labour-only or includes materials and finishing.
Repairs are usually quoted as a fixed price for the job. Plasterers quoting patch, hole and crack repairs through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026 priced them at a typical $500, with most quotes between $400 and $850.
Ceilings cost more. Plasterers quoting ceiling repairs and replacements through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026 priced them at a typical $2,500, with most quotes between $800 and $3,200. The range is wide because it covers everything from fixing one section to replacing a ceiling that has sagged or been damaged by water.
The typical quote is the median, and the range is where the middle half of quotes landed. Quotes given without a site visit can move once the plasterer sees the job. For more on fixing cracked, dented or water-damaged walls, see our guide to the cost to repair damaged plaster walls.
What are the different plastering costs?
Standard plastering
Solid plaster is applied wet, so “hard plaster” and “wet plaster” are not reliable separate price categories. Compare the specified plaster system, coats and surface preparation. Different products and finishes need different work.
Plasterboard (gyprock) walls and ceilings
Plasterboard, often called gyprock, is the usual lining for internal walls and ceilings in new builds. It is quoted by the square metre or as a fixed price per room, and supply-and-install quotes cost more than labour only. As an indicative allowance, plasterboard installation costs about $8 to $16 per square metre, or $15 to $20 per square metre supplied and installed. Check whether a quote includes setting (taping and finishing the joints) and cornice, since these are sometimes priced separately. For the different board types, see different types of plasterboard.
Cornices and ornamental plaster
Cornice is the moulding that runs where the wall meets the ceiling. It is priced per linear metre, and a simple cove profile costs less than a large ornate Victorian one. Ceiling roses, decorative mouldings and matching heritage cornice take more time and skill, and the price reflects that.
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Extras that add to the quote
Removing old plaster or plasterboard and taking it away
Difficult access, such as high ceilings, stairwells or scaffolding
Detailed or decorative finishes
Premium materials, such as moisture-resistant, fire-rated or acoustic board
Extra days on site for drying time between coats
How to estimate the cost of plastering a room or house
Plastering a whole room or house is quoted on area, so start by measuring it. For each wall, multiply the length by the height, then add the ceiling (length by width of the room). Subtract large openings such as doors and windows. That total in square metres is the number a plasterer will price against.
For a whole house, ask each plasterer to quote the same scope: which rooms, walls only or walls and ceilings, new board or repairs, and whether cornice, setting and rubbish removal are included. A per-m² rate is useful for comparing, but the fixed total is what you will pay.
Tip: Ask for a written quote that lists the square metres, the board or plaster type and what is excluded.
Factors that contribute to plastering prices
Area: More square metres means more material and more labour. A plasterer needs the room dimensions before giving a firm price.
Condition of the surface: If old plaster has to come off, or the wall needs resurfacing before new work goes on, the job takes longer.
Walls or ceilings: Ceiling work is slower and harder to reach, so it usually costs more than the same area of wall.
Finish: Decorative trims and detailed finishes need more skill and more material.
Access: Two-storey voids, stairwells and tight spaces can add time or scaffolding costs.
Asbestos in older walls and ceilings
Homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos, including in some wall and ceiling sheeting. You can't tell by looking at it. Before anyone cuts, sands or removes old sheeting, arrange assessment and any sampling by a competent professional for testing at a NATA-accredited laboratory, and follow the official guidance from the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency and your state's asbestos authority. Removal is specialist work and is priced separately from plastering.
What are the different types of plaster?
The type of plaster changes both the price and the finish. These are the main options.
Plasterboard (drywall)
Most builders use plasterboard because it goes up quickly and comes in fire-rated, moisture-resistant and acoustic versions. It is also the usual choice for new partition walls.
Lime plaster
Lime plaster is made from lime and sand. It works as both the undercoat and the finished surface, and is common in older and heritage homes.
Cement plaster
Cement plaster uses a cement-based mix suited to the substrate and finish; follow the product specification rather than a single generic mix ratio. It gives a hard, durable finish.
Gypsum plaster
Gypsum-based plaster is used for internal finishing and decorative work. It can be used as an undercoat, a finish coat or a single coat, and for casting.
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Wet plaster
Wet plaster combines lime, cement or gypsum with water and is applied by trowel. It takes longer to apply and dry than plasterboard, which is why it costs more per square metre.
Ornamental plaster
Ornamental plaster is used for decorative work such as ceiling roses, cornices and mouldings.
Benefits of plaster
A well-finished plaster wall takes paint evenly and stands up to everyday knocks. Solid plaster gives a harder surface than plasterboard, and ornamental plaster lets you add or restore period details such as cornices and ceiling roses. Plasterboard is quicker and cheaper to install, which is why it is the usual choice in new homes.
Plasterer, renderer or handyman?
A plasterer is the right call for new walls and ceilings, large repairs, cornice and any ceiling work. A handyman can often take on a small patch or a single hole alongside other jobs; see how much it costs to hire a handyman. For external walls, the job is usually rendering; see how much it costs to hire a renderer and these quick facts about rendering.
Questions to ask before hiring a plasterer
You can compare plasterers in your area on Service.com.au. Before you choose one, ask:
How long will the job take, including drying time?
Do you hold the licence my state requires for this work, and are you insured?
Can I see photos of similar jobs, or speak to past customers?
Can you give me a written quote that lists what is included and excluded?
Who cleans up and removes the waste?
A higher quote can reflect more experience or more thorough preparation, so compare what each quote includes before you decide.
Licensing for plasterers
Licensing depends on your state or territory. In NSW, wet plastering and dry plastering are separate licence categories. The appropriate contractor licence is required for residential work over $5,000 including labour, materials and GST. Requirements differ in other states and territories, so check with your state's building or fair trading regulator before work starts.