Getting a straight answer on plastering costs is harder than it should be, partly because no two rooms are the same. This guide gives you realistic price ranges for Edinburgh, Fife and the Borders, and explains exactly what pushes a quote up or down so you can budget with confidence.
As a rough guide for the area, skimming over sound existing plaster in an average box room or bedroom tends to fall between £350 and £600. A larger living room or a room needing the walls and ceiling done usually sits around £600 to £1,100.
If old plaster has to come off and the walls need re-boarding or a full re-plaster, expect roughly £900 to £1,800 for a standard room. These are ballpark figures to help you plan, not fixed quotes, because access, condition and finish all move the number.
The biggest factor is the state of what is already there. A wall that just needs a fresh skim is far cheaper than one where the plaster has blown, is damp, or is crumbling and needs hacking off first.
Room size and ceiling height matter too. Older Edinburgh tenements and Victorian villas often have high ceilings and cornice work, which slows the job and adds cost. Access, the amount of prep, and whether you want a paint-ready polished finish or a base for tiling will all shift the total.
A lot of housing across Edinburgh, Fife and the Borders is period stock with lath and plaster walls and ceilings. When these fail they can be patched, but sometimes the sensible option is to pull the old lath down and re-board with plasterboard before skimming.
That is more involved and costs more than a straight skim, but it gives a flat, stable surface that lasts. Original cornices and ceiling roses are worth protecting or restoring rather than covering, and a plasterer used to traditional properties will factor that into the plan.
Prices online only take you so far, so the honest answer to most rooms is that you need someone to see it. A quick site visit lets a plasterer check the wall condition, measure up properly and flag anything, like damp or loose plaster, that would otherwise turn into a surprise mid-job.
Ask for the quote in writing, check whether materials and any making-good are included, and be wary of a price given over the phone without any detail. A clear, itemised quote protects both sides.