How to Start a Plastering Business in 2026 (UK)

The Reality: Plastering is not just trowel work. It is a prep, timing, and finish business. You win on clean surfaces, crisp edges, and drying schedules. You lose money on poor substrates, last-minute prep, and customers who push drying times for free.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Plastering Business Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything early makes quoting inconsistent and margins unstable.

Decision shortcut:

• Start with skimming and repairs if you are solo.
• Add rendering once you can price access and weather delays.
• Move into commercial once your systems and photos prove quality.

Compliance and Safety (UK)

There is no single license required, but you must work safely and be competent.

Key safety basics

• Dust control and RPE when sanding or mixing dry plaster.
• Working at height regulations for ladders or platforms.
• Manual handling practices for heavy bags and boards.
• Asbestos awareness for older ceilings and textured coatings.

If you are unsure about a surface, test before you start.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

A failed ceiling or cracked finish can be expensive.

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£1,500 to £4,000)

• Basic hand tools and trowels
• Mixing drill and buckets
• Dust sheets and protection
• Small van or estate car
• Insurance and basic marketing

Professional Start (£6,000 to £15,000)

• Reliable van with racking
• Full trowel and hawk set
• Plastering stilts and access gear
• Dust extraction and sanding kit
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Trowels, hawks, and floats
• Mixing drill and paddles
• Feather edge and corner tools
• Dust sheets, masking, and protection
• PPE, gloves, and masks

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• Plastering stilts or platform
• Powered sanding system
• Laser level for straight lines
• Moisture meter for substrate checks
• Jobsite photos kit and lighting

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

Plastering margin disappears when prep and drying time are priced wrong.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £4,500 target income + £1,100 overhead = £5,600 £5,600 / 100 billable hours = £56 per hour minimum

Common pricing models

• Per room or wall: Best for skimming and reskims.
• Per square metre: Best for larger walls or ceilings.
• Day rate: Good for patch work and snagging.

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Separate prep and bonding from finishing in scope.
• Price ceiling work higher due to fatigue and access.
• Charge more for old artex removal and repairs.
• Define number of coats and drying time clearly.

Need help with objections? Use: How to Handle Price Objections Without Dropping Rate.

Prep Checklist (Copy/Paste)

Bad prep ruins finish. Use this before you start.

Prep:
- Check for loose plaster or blown areas
- Remove wallpaper or flaking paint
- Seal or prime high-suction surfaces
- Fit beads and corner trims
- Protect floors and fixtures

Quote Template (Copy/Paste)

Use this to avoid scope creep and surprise extras.

Job:
Address:
Scope:
- Area: [rooms/walls/ceilings]
- Prep: [list]
- Finish: [skim/render]
Materials:
- Included (brand/spec listed)
Exclusions:
- Hidden damage or rotten timbers
- Electrical or plumbing changes
Schedule:
- [start date] to [end date]
Price:
- £[amount]
Payment terms:
- [deposit] on booking, balance on completion

If you need stronger protection, add a contract: How to Write Trade Business Contracts.

Change Orders (Hidden Defects and Client Changes)

Surfaces hide problems. Protect yourself with a simple rule.

Change order request:
- Additional scope: £[amount] + [extra days]
- Approved by client: [name + date]

If the customer changes scope mid-job, use this: Customer Changed Job Scope After You Started.

Deposits and Progress Payments

Materials add up fast. Do not fund it yourself.

Common options:

• 30 percent deposit on booking
• 50/50 for smaller jobs
• Materials paid up front for large reskims

If a customer refuses a deposit, treat it as a red flag: Customer Refuses to Pay Deposit: Red Flags.

Snagging Checklist

Finish quality wins reviews.

• Check edges and corners in daylight
• Sand and touch up imperfections
• Clean floors and wipe down surfaces
• Photograph the final finish
• Walk through with the client and get sign-off

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with 3 core services and defined scope.

Add-ons to upsell:

• Artex removal
• Coving installation
• Damp repair prep

Winning Customers (Fast)

Plastering is visual and trust-driven.

• Before-and-after photos on Google Business Profile weekly
• Short video walk-throughs on social media
• 10 reviews in your first 60 days
• Partnerships with builders and decorators
• Quote turnaround within 24 hours

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Turn One-Offs Into Repeat Work

Repeat work keeps the calendar full.

• Annual refresh for rentals
• Maintenance plans for landlords
• Partner work with fitters and builders

Need templates? Use: Maintenance Contract Templates 2026.

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per job
• Quote win rate
• Change order rate
• Snag or rework rate
• Average margin per job
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed job

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for skims, repairs, and rendering.
• Save your scope and exclusions in the quote template.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.
• Track photos and snag notes per job.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Build your service menu and prices
• Create a quote template with inclusions and exclusions

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Photograph your first 5 jobs
• Collect 5 reviews
• Book 5 starter jobs

Week 5-8: Tighten the Process

• Track prep time and adjust pricing
• Add a change order policy
• Build a referral offer for neighbours
• Set up Toolfy for quotes and invoicing

Week 9-12: Scale the Round

• Target landlords and property managers
• Add a second trade partner or subcontractor
• Refine your service menu and remove low-margin jobs
• Build a seasonal plan for rendering work

Final Word: Prep Wins

The best plasterers do not just skim walls. They manage prep, timing, and finish to protect margin and reputation. Price for prep, document changes, and keep your systems tight.

Need job management software built for plasterers? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->