How much does it cost to plaster a ceiling?

Why ceilings cost more than walls

Plastering overhead is slower and more tiring than working on a wall, and it needs a safe working platform rather than standing on the floor. The whole ceiling has to be finished in one go so the surface stays even, which means more hands on the day. Light from windows also shows every ripple on a ceiling, so the finish has to be right first time.

Skim coat over sound plaster

If the ceiling is firm, flat and well bonded, a skim coat is the simplest option. The surface is cleaned, any fine cracks are taped, a bonding coat is applied where needed and a thin finishing plaster goes over the top. It gives a smooth surface ready for paint. Our guide to skim or replaster explains how to tell whether a surface is sound enough.

Overboarding a cracked ceiling

Where a ceiling has lots of cracks, loose patches or an uneven surface, fixing new plasterboard over the old ceiling and skimming it is often quicker and tidier than repairing it. The boards are screwed through into the joists, so the old surface is held in place and covered. It adds the cost of boards and fixing, but avoids the mess of pulling the old ceiling down.

Old lath and plaster

Many older Greater Manchester houses still have lath and plaster ceilings. If they are firm, they can be overboarded or skimmed. If they are sagging, bouncing when pushed, or coming away from the laths, the safer option may be to take them down and board from scratch. That adds removal, clearing and disposal, so it is the biggest variable in the price.

Artex ceilings

Textured Artex finishes need to be dealt with before a smooth ceiling can be achieved, either by covering them or by preparing and skimming over them. Older textured coatings may need testing first. Our Artex ceiling removal guide covers the options and the checks to make before any work starts.

Room size, height and access

A larger ceiling takes more material and time, but height and access matter almost as much. Stairwells and tall rooms need more equipment to reach safely. A room full of furniture has to be cleared or protected, and fitted wardrobes or light fittings may need to come down. Small, awkward ceilings such as bathrooms can take longer per square metre than an open living room.

• Ceiling area and shape
• Ceiling height and stairwells
• Whether the room can be emptied
• Light fittings and coving to work around
• Repairs needed before plastering starts

Skimming walls at the same time

If the walls are tired as well, doing them in the same visit often makes sense. The room is already protected and cleared, and the walls and ceiling dry and are decorated together. Our plastering cost per room guide looks at the wall side of the job, and you can book a visit through our plastering service.