Ceiling Plastering Cost London
Ceiling plastering in London costs £18–£30 per square metre to skim and £30–£45/m² to overboard and replaster (2026 London rates — roughly 20–40% above the UK average). A standard bedroom ceiling costs £250–£400, a large living room £350–£600, and crack or stain repairs £150–£350. Full ceiling replacement with new plasterboard is £400–£800. This 2026 guide breaks down every job with real London prices and free itemised quotes.
How much does ceiling plastering cost in London?
Ceiling plastering in London costs £18–£30 per m² to skim, £30–£45 per m² to overboard and replaster, and £35–£50/m² to replace lath and plaster. A standard bedroom ceiling costs £250–£400, a large living room £350–£600, crack or stain repairs £150–£350, and a full ceiling replacement £400–£800. London Plastering Service covers all 32 boroughs and quotes within 60 minutes.
- Ceiling skim £18–£30 per m²
- Overboard + skim £30–£45/m²
- Bedroom ceiling £250–£400
- Living room £350–£600
- Crack/stain repair £150–£350
- Full replacement £400–£800
Ceiling Plastering Prices in London (2026)
Ceiling plastering cost per square metre (London 2026)
Plasterers in London price ceiling work per square metre, per room, or per job depending on size. The per-m² rate is the most useful benchmark for comparing quotes.
| Ceiling job | Cost per m² (London) |
|---|---|
| Ceiling skim (over sound plaster) | £18–£25/m² |
| Ceiling skim (London labour + materials) | £20–£30/m² |
| Overboard + skim (new plasterboard) | £30–£45/m² |
| Lath & plaster ceiling replacement | £35–£50/m² |
| Artex ceiling covering (skim over) | £15–£25/m² |
| Crack / stain repair | £150–£350 job |
London ceiling rates run roughly 20–40% above the UK average because of higher labour costs, parking and access constraints, and Central London premiums.
Ceiling Skim (Standard Bedroom)
£250 – £400
Applying a new skim coat to a previously plastered ceiling in a standard double bedroom.
Ceiling Skim (Large Living Room)
£350 – £600
Skim coat on a large open-plan living area or period reception room with higher ceilings.
Ceiling Crack Repair
£150 – £350
Filling and skimming cracks, stains, or localised damage. Price depends on extent of damage.
Water-Damaged Ceiling Repair
£200 – £500
Cutting out, re-boarding, and skimming areas damaged by leaks or condensation.
Full Ceiling Replacement
£400 – £800
Remove old ceiling, install new plasterboard, and apply finish skim coat.
Artex Ceiling Covering
£15 – £25/m²
Skim over textured Artex or install plasterboard overlay for a guaranteed smooth ceiling.
What Affects Ceiling Plastering Cost in London?
Several factors affect the cost of plastering a ceiling in London. Understanding these helps you budget accurately and compare quotes fairly.
How Long Does Ceiling Plastering Take?
Timeframes matter — especially if you're living in the property or coordinating decorators. Most ceiling plastering in London is quick, but drying time is the real schedule factor.
Single bedroom ceiling skim
2–4 hours to skim, 24–48 hrs to dry
Large living room ceiling
4–6 hours to skim, 24–48 hrs to dry
Crack / stain repair
1–2 hours, dries overnight
Full ceiling replacement (board + skim)
Full day, dries 2–3 days
Artex ceiling covering
Half to full day, dries 24–48 hrs
Water-damaged area repair
Half day, dries 24–48 hrs
Never paint a freshly plastered ceiling until it has turned an even pale pink colour — this is the visual sign it is fully dry. Painting too early traps moisture and causes blistering.
When You Should NOT Skim a Ceiling
Skimming sounds like the cheap fix, but in some situations it's a false economy — and a reputable plasterer will tell you so. You should not skim over:
- Sagging or bowed plasterboard — the board must be replaced or re-fixed first.
- Ceilings with widespread active water leaks — the leak must be fixed and the area dried before plastering.
- Blown or 'hollow' lath and plaster — skimming won't bond; the ceiling needs overboarding or replacement.
- Textured coatings containing asbestos (common pre-2000) — these require specialist removal, not skimming.
- Ceilings with multiple previous skim layers already failing — strip back to a solid base first.
We assess every ceiling before quoting and will always recommend the most cost-effective long-term fix, even if that means a larger job now to avoid a failure in 12 months.
Common Ceiling Plastering Mistakes to Avoid
Painting before it's dry
Traps moisture, causes blistering and yellow staining. Wait for the uniform pale-pink colour.
Skimming over dust or grease
The skim won't bond and will crack within weeks. Surfaces must be cleaned and primed with PVA first.
Ignoring the cause of cracks
Structural movement or a leaking pipe above will crack the new plaster too. Fix the cause first.
Using the cheapest quote only
Very low quotes often skip preparation or use unskilled labour — leading to callbacks and rework.
Ceiling Plastering vs Ceiling Replacement
Not all damaged ceilings can be skimmed — sometimes full replacement is necessary. A ceiling plaster repair is suitable when the substrate (the layer beneath the plaster) is sound. If the plasterboard or lath and plaster base has failed, the ceiling needs to be taken down and rebuilt.
Our plasterers assess every ceiling before quoting to recommend the most cost-effective approach. In many cases, we can save you money by repairing rather than replacing.
Artex Ceiling Plastering Cost
Covering Artex ceilings is one of the most common jobs across London. Typically costs £15-£25/m² for a skim directly over Artex, or £30-£50/m² to install plasterboard overlay and skim. A standard bedroom Artex ceiling typically costs £350-£550 to cover. For water-damaged ceilings, see our water-damaged ceiling repair guide.
Free Ceiling Plastering Quotes in London
We provide free quotes for all ceiling plastering work across London. WhatsApp us photos of the ceiling and we'll give you an accurate price within 60 minutes. We serve all 32 London boroughs. See our main Plasterer London page for the full range of services, or compare plastering prices in London and plasterer day rates for the full cost picture.
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Ceiling Plastering Cost – FAQs
Real answers to the questions London homeowners ask most about ceiling plastering costs, timeframes and whether to repair or replace.
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