Plastering is applying a smooth finishing coat of plaster to walls and ceilings, either as a thin skim over sound surfaces or as a full re-plaster after removing failed plaster, creating a flat surface ready for decoration.
Our guide for plastering and skimming in Northern Ireland comes to £450–£1,400 with VAT added, and that range applies across County Londonderry, including Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Limavady and Magherafelt. Your own price depends on the size of the job, the specification and how easy it is to work on the site. We survey for free, check any consents needed under the rules in Northern Ireland, and then put the price in writing.
- Guide price
- £450–£1,400 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days per room, plus drying time
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Price level
- About 14% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does plastering and skimming cost in County Londonderry?
To help you plan, we show what plastering and skimming typically costs in County Londonderry instead of holding figures back for a sales call. The range is £450–£1,400 with VAT, using rates in Northern Ireland that are about 14% below the national guide. A free survey then fixes your actual price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in County Londonderry |
|---|---|---|
| Patch repairs or one wall | Repairing cracks, filling cable channels after a rewire or skimming a single wall. | £150–£450 |
| One room, walls and ceiling | Skimming or boarding and skimming the walls and ceiling of a typical room. | £450–£1,400 |
| Whole house | Skimming or re-plastering most rooms in a typical 3-bed house during a renovation. | £4,300–£10,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Skim over sound plaster or full re-plaster back to brick
- Ceiling height, stairwells and access
- Removing artex, wallpaper or failed plaster first
- Number of corners, windows and openings to bead
What’s included?
- Survey of walls and ceilings, including tap-testing for hollow plaster
- Floor and furniture protection with dust sheets and masking
- Plasterboard fixed to ceilings or walls where needed
- Skim coat or full two-coat plaster to agreed areas
- Patching around new sockets, pipes and windows
- Waste removal and a tidy finish ready for decorating
Homes in County Londonderry
Derry has Georgian and Victorian terraces around its walled city, alongside large post-war estates and newer developments. Coleraine, Limavady and Magherafelt mix older town centres with semis and estates, Portstewart has seaside villas, and rural areas have many detached homes and bungalows, often roughcast.
Terraces suit loft conversions and rear extensions, while rural bungalows commonly take extensions, loft rooms and driveways. Roughcast homes often need re-rendering, and coastal houses need roofline and window renewal.
The north coast faces Atlantic wind, rain and salt, and the Sperrins inland are colder and wetter.
Planning and building rules in County Londonderry
As County Londonderry is in Northern Ireland, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a quote.
Internal improvements do not need planning permission in Northern Ireland unless the building is listed.
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) apply to structural work, drainage and ventilation; electrical work should be tested and certified.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
From survey to handover
A visit to your home
It starts with a survey at the property, free of charge. We check condition, access and services, ask how you want the finished result to look, and answer any questions you have about plastering and skimming.
Written quote
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
Getting ready
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
Build and hand over
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
What you can expect from us
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to plaster a room?
Skimming the walls and ceiling of a typical double bedroom costs £450–£1,400, depending on the room size, the state of the existing surfaces and whether new plasterboard is needed. As a guide, a skim coat costs roughly £15–£35 per square metre, while a full re-plaster back to brick costs more. Stairwells and high ceilings add access costs. We confirm a fixed price after inspecting the walls.
How long does new plaster take to dry?
A skim coat usually dries in a few days in a warm, well-ventilated room, while a full re-plaster can take one to four weeks depending on its thickness and the weather. Plaster turns from dark brown to an even light pink when dry. Keep windows open where possible, but avoid blasting heaters, which can cause cracking. We advise on drying before you decorate.
How messy is plastering?
Plastering is wet work, so some mess is unavoidable, but good protection keeps it under control. We cover floors with dust sheets, mask sockets, switches and skirting, and move or cover furniture. Removing old plaster creates the most dust, so we seal doorways and keep the area ventilated. At the end, we clear waste and leave the room tidy and ready for decorating.
Do you cover Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine and Limavady?
Yes. As well as County Londonderry, we cover Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine and Limavady and the rest of County Londonderry. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
Do I need planning permission in County Londonderry?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. County Londonderry is in Northern Ireland, so Northern Ireland's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Towns in County Londonderry
Choose your town from the list to see how we price and plan plastering and skimming in your part of County Londonderry, including typical time on site.