How Much Does Plastering Walls Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Plastering walls and ceilings costs most homeowners an average of $5,000, with prices ranging from $1,200 to $10,000 for an average-sized room. You'll pay between $2 and $10 per square foot, depending on your project's specifics. 

Your total project cost varies based on the type of plaster, finish, and texture you choose. Factors like location, room size, and quality of materials significantly influence the overall cost. Budget accordingly, and hire a professional plasterer to ensure the best results.

Plaster Wall Cost Factors

The final cost of your project is heavily affected by the plaster type, area size, and decorative options you choose. Consider these factors when planning your next plaster project.

Square Footage 

Homeowners usually pay between $2 and $10 per square foot for plasterwork. If you need resurfacing work done, you can expect to pay at least $10 per square foot. Without resurfacing, you’ll likely pay between $2 and $5 per square foot.

Materials

Plaster prices range from $10 to $60, depending on size, type, or style. A 5-gallon bucket of lime plaster costs an average of $60, while a 25-pound bag of gypsum powder for decorative work costs between $10 and $30. Luxury types of plaster may cost up to $400 or more for a 5-gallon bucket.

Textures and Finishes

You'll find that certain plaster types work better with different kinds of textures and finishes. The plaster cost depends more on the type of plaster you choose rather than the texture or finish. For example, stucco texture is used on cement plaster on exterior walls.

You should budget an additional $1 to $3 per square foot for unique textures and finishes, such as the following:

• Dash: Rough texture that’s either fine, heavy, or knockdown

• Lace: Delicate texture that comes in fine, medium, and coarse

• Two-tone: Offers two different hues

• Sand: Pleasing to look at and comes in fine, medium, or coarse

• Stucco: Highly textured with swirled or looped patterns

• Grooved: Mimics bricks and grout

In addition to different textures, you can change the look and feel of your plaster wall with various finishes, such as the following:

• Pebble dash: Features small pebbles and stones in the plaster

• Spatter dash: Plaster that’s thrown onto the wall, and a brush or broom is used to make patterns

• Depeter: Gravel is added to wet plaster by hand

• Smooth: Smoothed-out plaster without texture or roughness

• Sand: Two coats with a sponged-on final application

• Cement: A mixture of cement, sand, and water with a smooth or rough finish

Skim Coat Plaster Costs

Skim coating costs between $1.10 and $1.30 per square foot, so you can estimate your cost based on the total square footage of your walls.

Plaster Repair

Plaster repair costs range from $10 to $100 per square foot, depending on the extent of the damage. For instance, some professionals may charge about $20 per crack; small repairs can cost between $10 and $80 per square foot, while larger repairs may reach up to $100 per square foot.

Cost by Project Location

If you're planning a plaster project, here are the prices you can expect based on where your project is located in your home.

Walls

Plastering your walls costs between $2 and $10 per square foot. For an average-sized room, you can expect to spend between $1,200 and $10,000, with most homeowners spending an average of $5,000.

Ceilings

Plastering a ceiling costs at least $400, and can reach $800 or more for taller ceilings; in cases of ornate or vaulted designs, costs may be as high as $4,000. An 8-foot ceiling costs about $600 to plaster.

Full Room

Plastering the walls of an average-sized room costs between $800 and $4,000. For the ceiling, costs can be as low as $400 for simple, shorter ceilings, average $600, increase to $800 or more for taller ceilings, and may reach up to $4,000 for elaborate or vaulted designs.

Cost by Plaster Type

There are many types of plaster available, each with its own average cost per square foot. Keep reading to learn more in-depth information about each plaster type.

Venetian Plaster

Also known as lime plaster, it costs $10 to $25 per square foot. It’s made with fired limestone and water. After workers apply the plaster to the wall, the plaster interacts with the carbon dioxide in the air. Eventually, the plaster turns into limestone. It has a soft, earthy appearance with depth and texture. Venetian plaster was used as long ago as ancient Greek and Egyptian times.

Gypsum Plaster

Gypsum plaster costs between $10 and $11 per square foot. Made from gypsum—a soft sulfate mineral—it’s often applied over cement plaster to create a smooth finish for painting. You can apply it to brick, blocks, and plasterboards. Gypsum plaster is less likely to shrink and crack, and it's known for its easy installation.

Cement Plaster

This type of plaster costs $11 to $12 per square foot. It's applied outdoors, and it's a mix of Portland cement, sand, and water. Usually, workers install cement plaster in three to four coats. You can apply it directly onto masonry, concrete walls, or metal lath.

Acoustic Plaster

Acoustic plaster runs $13 to $14 per square foot. Its final appearance can be highly customized and look like marble, stone, or cement. It absorbs sound very well and is popular in high-end residential houses or commercial buildings like museums and auditoriums. If you have a home recording studio or want a practice space for your band, acoustic plaster may be a good choice.

Tadelakt Plaster

Also known as Moroccan plaster, Tadelakt plaster is on the higher end at $15 to $16 per square foot. It’s waterproof, so it’s ideal for bathrooms. It’s also lime-based and comes in a wide range of colors, and the final result mimics natural stone.

Plaster vs. Drywall Cost

The average cost of drywall and sheetrock is $0.40 to $0.65 per square foot, while installing drywall costs between $1 and $3 per square foot. On the other hand, plastering costs anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot. Plastering is often more expensive because it takes more time and requires more expertise.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you want to paint your new plaster wall, the process is much different than painting drywall. You'll need to prepare the wall by applying a mist coat and then applying the topcoat. Hiring painters costs from $1 to $3 per square foot.

DIY vs. Hiring Plastering Professionals

While some home improvement projects are suitable for DIY enthusiasts, plastering is best left to professionals. Proper installation is crucial to avoid damaging your walls or devaluing your home with uneven plaster work. Whether you're aiming for ornamental designs or a smooth finish, hiring a professional plasterer ensures the best results.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.