Plastering in Cork
Compare local plastering and skimming pros in Cork and get free quotes — no obligation, no call-backs you didn't ask for.
Typical price: €110–€2,300
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Plastering prices in Cork
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patch repair Repair cracks or a blown patch, blended for paint | €110 | €200 | €350 |
| Skim one room Skim walls of an average room | €410 | €600 | €870 |
| Full re-plaster one room Hack off and re-plaster an average room | €920 | €1,450 | €2,300 |
How to hire a plastering pro in Ireland
- Check reviews and ask for photos of painted finished work
- Confirm scope: skim only, or hack-off and re-plaster where old plaster is blown or damp
- Ask for public liability insurance
- For older cottages with lime plaster, ask specifically about lime experience — gypsum over lime fails
- Get a written quote with VAT clear and rubbish removal included
- Agree drying times before decorating (longer in damp Irish winters)
Plastering is unregulated in Ireland; CIRI registration is voluntary. Older Irish stone and cob buildings need breathable lime plasters — using modern gypsum or cement on them traps moisture, a well-known failure mode in period renovation.
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See the full breakdown of what drives plastering prices — job sizes, unit rates, and how to save.
Frequently asked questions
Can you plaster over old plaster or paint?
Yes, if the substrate is sound — plasterers key the surface and use bonding agents. But blown (hollow-sounding), crumbling, or damp-stained plaster must come off first. A good plasterer taps the walls during the quote to check; be wary of anyone who doesn't.
How long does plaster take to dry before painting?
A skim coat is touch-dry in a day but needs roughly a week to fully dry before painting; full re-plaster can take several weeks depending on thickness, ventilation and season. Paint too early and you trap moisture, causing peeling. Use a mist coat (diluted emulsion) first.
How do I find a good plasterer in Cork?
Ask plasterers in Cork for photos of finished painted work and check how they handle preparation — good plasterers talk about PVA priming, suction control and drying times, not just the final trowel. Reviews plus a small test area on big jobs are the best filters.
What is the difference between skimming and full plastering?
Skimming is a thin 2-3 mm finish coat applied over existing plaster or plasterboard to give a smooth paintable surface. Full plastering means building up base (browning/bonding) coats plus a finish coat, needed when old plaster is blown, damp-damaged or removed back to brick.
How much does plastering cost?
Plastering is usually priced per square metre or per room. A skim coat over existing sound walls is the cheapest job; full re-plastering (hacking off old plaster and applying new base and finish coats) costs two to three times more, and exterior rendering is priced separately.
Can plastering fix damp walls?
No — plaster over damp fails within months. The moisture source (rising damp, leaking gutter, condensation) must be fixed first, then damaged plaster cut back and replaced, sometimes with a salt-resistant renovation plaster. Any plasterer who skips the cause is selling you a repeat job.
Do I need lime plaster for my old Irish house?
If the walls are solid stone or brick built before c.1940, usually yes — lime is vapour-open and moves with the building. Cement or gypsum on these walls traps damp and blows within a few years. Lime work costs more and fewer plasterers do it well.
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