Plastering quote clear to the cornice
After rewiring, customers want the ceiling and wall chases fixed without guessing the cost. Price board by the sheet, setting by area and each patch on its own line.
- Board, compound, tape and old ceiling removal listed
- Doubles as a drywall estimate priced in ft²
- Free, whether you work online or in Word
What goes on a plastering quotation
Write a plastering quote that shows exactly what is being hung, set and patched. This template lists plasterboard by the sheet, compound and tape, removal of old ceilings, hanging and setting per m², and patches per item, with cornice replacement as an option. It doubles as a drywall estimate for US jobs priced in ft². Use it online or download Word, Excel or PDF.
A plastering quotation should describe the board, the finish and the condition the customer gets at the end. Price removal, hanging, setting and patches separately, say what level of finish you are delivering, and state whether the work is left ready for paint or painted.
- Board type and thicknessStandard, moisture resistant, fire rated or acoustic board, and the thickness, such as 10 mm, 13 mm, 1/2 in or 5/8 in.
- Removal and disposalPulling down old ceilings or lath and plaster is dusty and heavy work. Price it by the hour or per m², with disposal included.
- Hang and setFixing, taping, three coats of compound and sanding, priced per m² or ft² of board.
- Level of finishState the finish level. For drywall, Level 4 suits most painted walls and Level 5 suits glossy paint or strong side lighting.
- Patches and chasesPatching an electrician’s chases, holes and cracks priced per item, so the customer can count them.
- Cornice and trimsCornice or crown, corner bead and stop beads by the linear meter or foot.
- Access and protectionTrestles or scaffold for high ceilings, and floor and furniture protection from dust.
- Drying and sanding timeHow many days between coats, and whether you return for each coat, since that sets the schedule for the painter. The painting quote template picks up where this one stops.
Sample plastering quote with example prices
Smoothwall Plastering’s sample for Megan Lee replasters a living room ceiling and patches three walls after rewiring, leaving everything ready for paint. Materials are 14 sheets of 10 mm plasterboard and a set of compound, tape and cornice adhesive. Labor covers 6 hours to remove and dispose of the old ceiling, 28 m² hung and set at $38, and nine wall chases patched at $45 each. New cornice is optional. Subtotal $2,325, no deposit, example prices.
| Item | Group | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasterboard 10 mm | Materials | 14 each | $24.00 | $336.00 |
| Compound, tape and cornice adhesive | Materials | 1 set | $160.00 | $160.00 |
| Remove old ceiling and dispose | Labor | 6 hrs | $60.00 | $360.00 |
| Hang and set ceiling | Labor | 28 m² | $38.00 | $1,064.00 |
| Patch wall chases | Labor | 9 each | $45.00 | $405.00 |
| Replace cornice, 4 walls | Optional extras (optional) | 18 m | $22.00 | ($396.00) |
| Subtotal before tax | $2,325.00 | |||
| Optional extras, not in the total | $396.00 | |||
6 lines are filled in, from plasterboard 10 mm to replace cornice, 4 walls. Put in your own plastering rates, then download the PDF.
How to price plastering and drywall
Plasterers price new board by area and repairs by the item or the hour. Area rates cover hanging and finishing, while repairs vary too much for area pricing. Removal of old work is its own line, because a lath and plaster ceiling takes far longer to strip than plasterboard.
- Per m² or ft² hung and finishedBoard area times a rate that covers fixing, taping, coats and sanding. The standard method for new rooms and full ceilings.
- Per sheetA rate per sheet hung and set, simple for small jobs and easy to check against the materials list.
- Per patch or per itemA set price per chase, hole or crack. Customers understand it, and nobody argues over an hour.
- HourlyFor skim coats on old walls, repairs to ornate plaster and anything you cannot measure first.
Ceilings are slower than walls, so many plasterers keep a higher ceiling rate. Build your rates from real hours with the labor cost guide, and check board margins with the markup calculator.
Worked example: drywall estimate for a 14 x 16 ft room
Here is a full drywall estimate for one room measured in feet, walls and ceiling together, with example US rates.
- Ceiling14 x 16 = 224 ft².
- WallsThe perimeter is 2 x (14 + 16) = 60 ft, and at 8 ft high that is 480 ft². Take off a door and two windows, about 40 ft², leaving 440 ft².
- SheetsTotal board is 224 + 440 = 664 ft². A 4 x 12 sheet covers 48 ft², so 664 / 48 = 13.8. Add 10% waste: 13.8 x 1.1 = 15.2, so 16 sheets.
- Materials16 sheets at $18 each is $288. Add $95 for compound, tape, screws and corner bead: $383.
- Labor and totalHang and finish to Level 4 at $1.75 per ft²: 664 x $1.75 = $1,162. Job total $383 + $1,162 = $1,545 before tax.
Ceilings over 8 ft, lots of corners and a Level 5 finish all push the rate up. Removing old drywall or plaster is extra and goes on its own line.
Inclusions and exclusions for plastering work
Usually included
- Floor and furniture protection
- Supply and fixing of board
- Tape, three coats and sanding
- Patching listed chases and holes
- Removal of offcuts and drop cloths
Excluded unless priced
- Painting, priming or sealer coat
- Electrical work to remove or refit lights
- Asbestos testing on old ceilings
- Repairs to ceiling joists or wall framing
- Moving furniture out of the room
Plastering quote mistakes
- Not stating the finish level, then being judged under a painter’s work light on a glossy wall.
- Pricing a lath and plaster ceiling removal at the same rate as pulling down board.
- Forgetting that the electrician needs to be there before and after the ceiling comes down.
- Quoting sheets without allowing for joints that must land on framing, which raises waste.
- No protection line, then paying to clean dust out of the customer’s sofa and curtains.
- Leaving drying time out of the schedule, so the painter arrives to wet compound.
Plastering quote questions
How do you quote a plastering job?
Measure the board area, count patches, and check what has to come down and how high the ceilings are. Price board and compound, removal, hang and set per m² or ft², and patches per item. State the finish level and whether the work is left ready for paint. The quote writing guide covers the rest of the page.
How much does drywall cost per square foot to hang and finish?
It varies with region, ceiling height, finish level and job size, so use your own rates rather than a national average. The worked example uses an illustrative $1.75 per ft² for Level 4 on walls and ceiling. Small patch jobs need a minimum charge, because setup and travel take most of the time.
What is the difference between plastering and drywall?
Drywall, also called plasterboard or gypsum board, is hung in sheets and finished at the joints. Traditional plastering applies wet coats over a backing such as lath, brick or board. Many trades do both, and this template quotes either one. Wider remodels belong on a renovation quote template.
Should a plasterer charge a deposit?
The sample has no deposit, which suits a small repair job. For larger jobs with a lot of board to buy, a deposit that covers materials is reasonable. Check any local rules on deposits before setting one. See deposits on quotes for options.
How long does plaster take to dry before painting?
Drying depends on the product, the thickness of each coat, temperature and humidity, and setting compounds harden faster than premixed ones. Follow the manufacturer’s drying times and write the expected return dates for each coat on the quote, so the painter can be booked. Other trade layouts sit in the construction quote templates.
