Plasterboard Cost London
Plasterboarding — also known as dry lining — is the process of fixing plasterboard panels to walls or ceilings, then finishing with a skim coat for a smooth, paint-ready surface. This guide covers all the costs: per sheet, per square metre, per room, and per whole house.
How much does plasterboard cost in London?
Plasterboard costs £4–£8 per m² for the board alone, or £20–£35 per m² fully fitted including boards, fixings, jointing and a skim coat. A standard sheet (2400×1200mm, 12.5mm) costs £6–£10. Plasterboarding a whole 3-bed house costs £3,000–£7,000 fully finished. London Plastering Service covers all 32 boroughs and quotes within 60 minutes.
- Board only £4–£8 per m²
- Fully fitted £20–£35/m²
- Standard sheet £6–£10
- 3-bed house £3,000–£7,000
- Ceilings £25–£40/m²
- All 32 London boroughs covered
Plasterboard Costs Explained
Plasterboarding costs in London include two components: the cost of the boards themselves (materials) and the cost of fixing, jointing, and skimming (labour). Understanding both helps you compare quotes accurately.
The total cost per square metre — including boards, fixings, jointing, and a full skim coat — ranges from £20 to £35 per m2. This is higher than skimming over existing plaster (£8–£15/m2) because you're paying for new materials and more labour. However, plasterboarding is necessary when existing walls are too damaged to skim or when creating new partitions.
Plasterboard Cost Per Square Metre
| Plasterboarding Service | Cost Per m² | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Plasterboard only (materials) | £4–£8 | Board only, no labour |
| Dot & dab + skim (walls) | £20–£30 | Boards, adhesive, skim, labour |
| Screw fix + skim (walls) | £22–£35 | Boards, screws, skim, labour |
| Plasterboard ceiling + skim | £25–£40 | Boards, fixings, skim, labour |
| Tape & joint only (no skim) | £12–£18 | Boards, jointing compound |
| Moisture-resistant board + skim | £25–£38 | For bathrooms, kitchens |
| Fire-resistant board + skim | £28–£42 | For garages, commercial |
Plasterboard Cost Per Sheet
If you're buying plasterboard yourself or want to understand the material cost component, here are the current prices per sheet. Standard sheets are 2400mm × 1200mm (2.88m2 per sheet).
| Plasterboard Type | Size | Price Per Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Standard wall board (12.5mm) | 2400×1200mm | £6–£10 |
| Standard wall board (12.5mm) | 2700×1200mm | £7–£12 |
| Tapered edge board | 2400×1200mm | £7–£11 |
| Moisture-resistant (green) | 2400×1200mm | £8–£15 |
| Fire-resistant (pink) | 2400×1200mm | £10–£18 |
| Sound-resistant (acoustic) | 2400×1200mm | £12–£20 |
| Insulated plasterboard | 2400×1200mm | £25–£45 |
| Foam-backed insulated board | 2400×1200mm | £30–£55 |
Prices are for individual sheets from builders' merchants. Bulk orders (50+ sheets) typically receive a 10–15% discount. Delivery may be extra.
Cost to Plasterboard By Room
Single Room (walls + ceiling)
- Small room (box room)£350–£550
- Standard bedroom£500–£800
- Large living room£700–£1,100
- Open-plan kitchen-diner£900–£1,500
Whole Property
- 1-bed flat£1,200–£2,200
- 2-bed flat£1,800–£3,200
- 3-bed house£3,000–£5,500
- 4-bed house£4,000–£7,500
When You Need Plasterboarding
Plasterboarding is required in several common scenarios. Knowing when it's needed helps you budget correctly.
Badly damaged walls: If existing plaster is loose, cracked extensively, or has been removed down to brickwork, plasterboarding is the quickest way to create a smooth, flat surface. Skimming over badly damaged walls produces a poor finish; plasterboarding provides a guaranteed flat surface.
New partitions and stud walls: When creating new rooms or dividing existing spaces, stud walls (timber or metal frame) need plasterboarding on both sides. Cost: £20–£35/m2 per side. See our partition walls page.
Extensions and loft conversions: New extensions have bare blockwork that needs plasterboarding before skimming. Loft conversions have stud walls and sloped ceilings that all need boarding. See extension plastering and loft conversion plastering.
Over artex or textured ceilings: Rather than skimming directly over artex (which can crack if the artex is thick), many plasterers recommend overboarding — fixing plasterboard over the artex ceiling, then skimming. This is more reliable and doesn't risk disturbing potential asbestos. See artex covering.
Bathrooms and kitchens: Moisture-resistant plasterboard (green board) is essential in wet areas. It costs slightly more but prevents mould and water damage. See wet room plastering.
Insulation upgrades: Insulated plasterboard (foam-backed) improves thermal performance while creating a finished wall surface. Ideal for upgrading solid-wall properties. See our insulated plasterboard page.
Plasterboard Cost FAQs
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