Find professional local plasterers near you

There is no quick answer for this, as there are several types of plaster. The “best” plaster is one that offers you the best combination of durability, safety for your household members, aesthetic appeal and cost. Gypsum plaster is the least expensive option but isn’t very sturdy. Lime plaster is non-toxic, can regulate humidity in a space, is durable and natural but takes longer to apply and can cost more; spare yourself the hassle by hiring a Tasker!

That depends on the type of plaster, the complexity and scale of the job, and in some cases, the weather conditions. These can all impact how long the job takes. Some plasters need 1 to 2 layers, while others need 7 to 8 layers to complete. Note that each layer needs anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to dry before adding succeeding layers to finish. You can ask your Tasker for an exact estimate.

Most plasterers recommend that the plaster stops at 2.5 cm or an inch before reaching the floor. This is assuming your floor has no skirting or baseboards. There should be some allowance because if the plaster extends to the floor, this can dry the fastest and create unsightly trowel marks that won’t match the colour of the rest of the wall. 

Plaster is the better choice, although it can take longer and cost more than drywall. Drywall isn’t as sturdy as plaster, and plaster has better qualities. Plaster can last longer as it is waterproof, doesn’t allow mould growth and some types of plaster are safe for people with allergies. Plaster can also make rooms and spaces look more aesthetically pleasing and thus add value to your home.  

You can have the wiring installed before having your walls or ceilings plastered. Your electrician may do some rough work installing the wiring, switches and switch plates. The plasterer can mark these off and cover them with plastic, do the plastering then your electrician can come back to finish. If you have the plastering done first, your electrician will have to score plaster to fit wires, plugs and switches; then, your plasterer will have to do a lot of patch-up work.

It would help if you had the plumbing done before plastering - even before the wiring. Remember that it’s easier to bend wires or cables, but it’s more difficult to bend pipes! Your plumber must also test the water pressure and check for leaks. Doing the plumbing after the plastering means breaking plaster to access or mount pipes, and this can mean twice the work and cost of plastering.

Yes! Just be specific when booking a Tasker to get your decorative plaster ceiling repaired or restored. Don’t forget that you can connect to many different ceiling plastering experts out there. You can also call on tradespeople who specialise in textured plaster ceiling repair, falling plaster ceiling repair or even repair small holes in plaster ceilings. Note that depending on the extent and nature of the damage, you may have to hire another expert to help in repairs.

It takes around 4 hours on average to plaster one standard-sized ceiling. In most cases, it shouldn’t take more than a day to plaster your ceiling, and that can include the time needed for site and materials preparation. It’s rare for ceiling plastering to take longer, although this may happen if there’s too much humidity and causes the plaster to take more time to dry.  

For best results, wait at least a week for your newly plastered ceiling to dry before painting. While your plastered ceiling may look and feel dry to the touch after a couple of days, it may not have completely cured. If still wet, the deeper plaster layers can absorb moisture from paint and cause it to peel off. Don’t risk painting your ceiling plaster too soon and hire an expert to do it. 

Yes, you can! Though you may want to wait for a day before moving in. The room can have a lot of condensation and feel damp, and it may not be the most comfortable area to sleep in. The good news is that most plasters are non-toxic, so while the area may feel damp, you don’t have to worry about inhaling any harmful fumes and developing an allergic or adverse reaction. 

Maintaining your plastered ceiling involves regularly cleaning and washing off stains. You can use a vacuum with a brush attachment to loosen and remove dust and dirt. Apply diluted hydrogen peroxide or bleach on stains, then wipe off with a soft cloth. Another helpful measure is never to smoke indoors. Tobacco smoke can waft up and stick to your ceilings and leave unsightly stains.

Yes, but only if you have the right tools, equipment, skills and experience. To simplify the work and use less plaster, make sure you have a plasterboard ceiling. Plastering a ceiling like this can take at most a day, but doing so requires a good eye and skilled hands to mix plaster to the right consistency and apply it evenly. Should you want a more complex plaster applied to your ceiling, you’d best hire an expert on our platform instead.