Mike Barrett Building Services

How long does plaster take to dry?

This depends on the time of year the ambient temperature the substrate which plaster is going on and whether it’s just a re-skim or float and sets. If it’s a re-skim or on plasterboard normally it would be dry within 2 to 3 days max. if it’s float and set which is an undercoat plaster skimmed with a finish plaster it could take up to a week. As it sets the plaster will go very dark and when it’s dry it will go very light with no dark patches. It can then be sealed with a watered-down PVA or emulsion paint prior to the application of two full coats of emulsion.

How long does it take to plaster a ceiling?

Depends on what the ceiling is constructed of. If it is an old lathe and plaster ceiling I would recommend over tacking with plasterboard screwed into the existing joists prior to skimming. If it is an Artex ceiling again I would recommend overtacking. If it is a new plasterboard ceiling then you can tape the joints and skim it straight away. This will take approximately half a day but obviously each job is assessed and quoted accordingly.

How much does it cost to plaster a room?

The cost of plastering a room depends on several factors. Is it the ceiling and walls. Are the previously painted surfaces good enough to plaster over. Are there lots of cracks in the substrate. Is the substrate loose and defective thus requiring hacking off and subsequently making good. Obviously all these and other factors need to be taken into account before quotation can be given. Therefore I would recommend taking a look at every job prior to giving a quote. As a guideline if it is just a re-skim with minimal making good I would allow approximately £15 per square metre labour and materials