How Much Does Ornamental Plaster Cost? [2024]

One of the most elegant features of period style homes is the ornamental plaster that adorns them.

In Australia, even modest bungalows built during the Art Deco era of the 1920s featured highly ornamental cornices, rosettes, arches, ceiling panels and other plaster details that add value to the homes to this day. Arguably, the renewed popularity of ornamental plaster products can be traced to the demands of thousands of home renovators seeking to restore these old homes to their former glory. Thanks to them, ornamental plaster is once again affordable for the average Australian.

But who can work with this intricate plaster and how much can you expect your job to cost?

What is ornamental plaster?

Plaster is a remarkable substance. While it is wet, it is thick enough to be applied directly to a surface or poured into a mould and left to set. Ornamental plaster is poured into a mould. When it comes out of the mould, the decorative plaster object can be applied to a wall, ceiling or archway. Ornamental plaster products today come in a wide range of styles, from period styles such as federation, gothic, Art Deco or Victorian to modern designs and patterns. Ornamental plaster was traditionally used to decorate arches, columns, cornices, fireplace surrounds, picture rails and ceiling roses.

Today you an also buy ready-made moulds instead of getting it made by a plasterer. This is cheaper but you cannot get the same range and effects as handmade plaster.

Types of ornamental plaster?

Some of the most common ornamental plaster products on the market include:

• Decorative cornices
• Arches
• Ceiling domes and panels
• Fireplace surrounds

Other popular products include rosettes, medallions, ceiling roses, light sconces and a number of other decorative items. So many are available today, in fact, it is possible to reproduce virtually any period style home.

How much does ornamental plaster cost?

There are two costs involved in the final cost of ornamental plaster: the plaster products and their installation. Both of these costs will be higher than standard plastering costs, mainly because it is a specialised job - and not all plasterers do this type of work. This is especially true for any ornate work and reproduction work, say when you need to repair a damaged ceiling rose or arch cornice.

The cost of ornamental plaster products depends on their size and complexity. For example, if you're pricing cornices:

• A simple colonial cove cornice with top and bottom steps will cost about $7.50 per linear metre.
• A wider, more ornate Victorian cornice will cost over $15 per linear metre.

If you're looking for an elegant fireplace surround that would take pride in place in a Victorian mansion, you might be surprised to find you can buy its plaster equivalent for well under $1,000. In terms of a per square metre rate, expect:

• hard plaster rates to range from $30 to $70 per square metre
• wet plaster rates to be range from $45 to $90 per square metre

You can expect to be quoted a flat fee for a room or house - a figure which does not include removal of existing plaster and does not take into account difficult access. If you’re renovating the entire home, the plasterer will probably charge a flat fee for the whole space. A 3 bedroom home could cost between $10,000 and $15,000, while to plaster an ornate Victorian home, the rate could be in excess of $20,000.

Read more: How Much Does it Cost to Plaster a House?

Hiring a plasterer

After you have chosen your ornamental plaster products, you will have to find a plasterer who is qualified to install them for you.

Although the skills required to install them are similar or identical to the skills they use every day, plasterers who specialise in restoring and/or replicating period and heritage homes are more familiar with the important detail work involved in complex ornamental plastering. When it comes time to hiring a business, take time to make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask then include:

• Are you licensed or qualified?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• How long will my job take?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?
• Can I see examples of your work?

Getting quotes for ornamental plastering

If all you want is some nice ornamental cornicing in your new home, any good plasterer can probably install it for you. If you are building a Victorian style home and want all the plastering to be authentic, you'll need to hire an ornamental plastering specialist. Take extra care when getting quotes from ornamental plastering services. You are paying a premium for their expertise, so want to be sure they are the experts they claim to be. Have a look at their portfolios and ask to view previous examples of their work in person, if possible. The real experts will have completed a number of residential and commercial properties and will be proud to show their work to you.