Wall plastering - levelling walls with plaster

When you need plastering rather than skimming

If the unevenness is large, a thin skim coat will not level it. Plastering is also needed when the old plaster is coming away from the wall: it sounds hollow when tapped, and it is removed back to a stable base. If the wall is only slightly uneven, wall skimming is enough.

The wall material differs from building to building. In the 602 series the walls are expanded clay concrete panels, in the 467 series large reinforced concrete panels, while in pre-war buildings they are masonry, and in Stalin-era buildings brick masonry. The base determines how it is prepared and which mix is chosen, so describe in the form where the plaster is damaged.

Plaster under tiles and waterproofing

For Ceresit CM 17 tile adhesive, the manufacturer states that cement plaster under tiles must be at least 28 days old with moisture below 4%. For Ceresit CL 51 waterproofing, the manufacturer allows moisture of up to 1.0% in gypsum plaster. That is why in a bathroom the plastering is planned in good time before tiling.

The plastering work in sequence

1. Checking the old plaster Places where the plaster is coming away or crumbling are found and removed.
2. Preparing the base The wall is cleaned of dust and primed as the mix manufacturer requires.
3. Marking the level To make the wall straight, guide rails (beacons) are set up or the level is marked.
4. Plastering The plaster is applied and levelled along the guide rails.
5. Drying The plaster must dry before the next layer; the time is set by the mix and the layer thickness.
6. The next finish After that the wall is skimmed and painted or tiled.

What to decide before your request

• what will go on top: tiles, skim coat and paint, or decorative plaster;
• whether all walls are plastered or only the damaged areas;
• whether wiring or pipes in the walls are being replaced first;
• whether you will choose the materials yourself.

In the form, write the address, the building series or year of construction and the wall area. If the old plaster has to be removed, see also demolition work in the apartment.

Plastering during a full renovation

If the finish in the apartment is removed back to the structure and the wiring and pipes are replaced, plastering is part of a full renovation. The price is then calculated by the area of the apartment: a 1-room apartment of 33 m², full renovation: 33 × €280 = from €9,240 (labour). If only one or two walls need plastering, the price is calculated from the wall plastering row.

Wiring and pipes in walls are replaced before plastering, because afterwards the chases would have to be opened again. So in your request, write whether replacing the electrical wiring is also planned in this room.

How much wall plastering costs

Wall plastering: from €8/m². Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate.

Example: bathroom walls of 18 m². Plastering 18 × €8 = from €144 and tiling 18 × €24 = from €432, total from €576 (labour).

The price is affected by the condition of the walls, the thickness of the plaster layer, whether the old plaster has to be removed, and the finish chosen. An exact estimate can be made after seeing the apartment.

What the plastering price includes