Everything you ever need to know about plasterers

This article is all about everything you ever need to know about plasterers

Introduction

There is nothing stopping a completely unskilled and inexperienced person calling themselves a plasterer.

Unlike being an electrician or a gas engineer, a plasterer can’t hurt anyone so that is why there is no formal qualification around them. If they can do the work they can do the work.

But if you want to get a formal qualification you can 1) complete an apprenticeship or 2) achieve a level 2 NVQ diploma.

This will allow you to get a blue skilled CSCS card as a skilled worker and allow you to work on large building sites.

To get the NVQ diploma you need at least 5 years experience.

You can also achieve a Level 3 NVQ diploma which will let you obtain a gold skilled services CSCS card.

Here is a list of courses available in plastering. Remember that only a NVQ level 2 or a completed apprenticeship  will get you a CSCS card.

• Plastering (Construction) (6573)
• Level 2 Technical Certificate in Plastering 7908
• Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plastering (450)
• Level 2 Diploma in Plastering
• Level 2 Extended Diploma in Plastering
• Plastering (Level 1 City & Guilds Diploma) — Full-time
• NVQ Diploma in plastering Level 2
• NVQ Diploma in plastering Level 3

How much are plasterers ?

A skim coat to walls and ceilings could cost around £15 per m2 .

Its important to get a quotation from some local plasterers so you can get a better idea of the cost.

Generally, you pay the plasterer to supply and ‘install’ the plaster so they provide all of their own materials, equipment and so forth. You may need to provide access like scaffolding so check their quote to see if this is included.

Can I do the plastering myself ?

Unless you are a skilled plasterer don’t even bother.

Its a skill that takes a lot of time and constant practice to get right.

It will be cheaper to hire a plasterer to carry out the works and get the job done right first time.

(of course you might be able to patch up a small plate size area of plaster yourself but even that won’t have an amazing finish. In that circumstance the best result will be obtained from having a plastered reskim the whole wall.).