Most Australian homes use plaster somewhere. Whether it coats the walls, is used for cornices and architraves or on your ceiling, you’ll need the services of someone who can plaster for any work. 

Luckily, for smaller or less complex jobs, plastering handymen are a great and relatively inexpensive option to get the job done. Read on for more information about plastering handymen including:

• What does a plastering handyman do?
• Should I use a handyman or a plasterer for my job?
• How much do plastering handymen cost?
• How do I find a plastering handyman?
• Getting quotes for a plastering handyman

What does a plastering handyman do?

A plastering handyman can perform basic plastering jobs. This can be anywhere in your home where you need plaster applied, repaired or replaced.

Some examples of when you may need a plastering handyman include:

• Applying cornices and other decorative plaster
• Covering brickwork and other rough surfaces with plaster to make it smooth and ready for painting
• Applying plaster in between sheets of plasterboard
• Installing new sheets of plasterboard where necessary
• Simple repairs of plasterboards and other plaster surfaces

It's worth noting that there will be some plastering work that is illegal for a handyman to perform without a license. Different states have different rules for this but it usually involves the cost of materials and labour. For instance, in NSW, if the cost of materials and labour exceeds $1,000 then the handyman needs to be licensed.

Should I hire a handyman or a plasterer for my job?

Handymen will generally be cheaper than a licensed plasterer. This is due to less rigorous licensing and the fact that they don’t need qualifications to work on your home. As with many of the jobs handymen do, there will always be a line where it's worth the extra cost of a licensed professional.

As a general rule, simpler jobs like basic plastering and work that doesn’t require fine detail can be handled by handymen. However, more complicated jobs should be done by a plasterer. 

Some handymen will say that they can accomplish any job, big or small, simple or complex, making it hard to know when your job needs a plasterer instead. To help you employ the most appropriate tradie for your job, it’s a good idea to start by making sure you know exactly the scope of what you need done. If the scope of your job and the types of plastering you need fit into the basic plastering examples mentioned earlier in this article, then you can probably use a handyman. 

If the job exceeds the threshold of your state that requires the handyman to have a license, it can be a good idea to switch to a licensed plasterer instead. Another way to tell when to use a plasterer is if the work is more complicated plastering like gyprock installation or delicate cornice work. In these cases, it’s often better to hire a plasterer as you can guarantee they have the required knowledge and training to do the job right. 

How much does a plastering handyman cost?

Handymen will generally charge depending on the type of work needed. In general, handymen will charge by the hour. Expect to pay somewhere in the region of $40 - $90 per hour depending on the handyman and the work. 

Some handymen will charge a flat rate for the first hour - say $90 and then a per half-hour rate of say $35. If you're unsure about pricing, it’s always a good idea to check with your handyman. 

Some common costs for hiring a plastering handyman per job can be roughly: 

• $140 to $600 for plastering
• $180 to $500 for patching holes in a wall and repairing damaged plaster
• $200 for fixing water-damaged ceiling

To save money, it may be better to get your handyman to work on several jobs. Many handymen can perform a range of tasks depending on what you need. 

For more information on the costs of other handyman jobs, read our article How much does a handyman cost?

How do I find a plastering handyman?

Before you hire a plastering handyman it can be a good idea to ask them some questions to make sure that you get the right service for your needs. Some of these questions include:

• What services are included?
• Are you registered or licenced
• Are you insured?
• Is the work guaranteed?
• Are your installers vetted?
• Can you provide references?

Getting quotes for plastering handymen

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for.