Cost guide
How much does commercial plastering cost?
Commercial plastering is tendered per contract. As a guide, metal stud partitions run £55 to £95 per square metre installed and boarded, suspended ceilings £30 to £60, and large-area skimming £14 to £22. Fire rated systems sit above those.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Metal stud partition, installed and boarded, per m² | £55 to £95 |
| Fire rated partition, per m² | £75 to £130 |
| Suspended ceiling grid and tile, per m² | £30 to £60 |
| Large-area skim, per m² | £14 to £22 |
| Tape and joint to level 4, per m² | £11 to £16 |
Fire and acoustic ratings belong to tested systems, not to individual products. Ask for the system reference and the test evidence, and keep it with the handover documents.
What moves the price
- Programme. Being able to resource the right week is often worth more than the rate.
- Certified performance. A fire or acoustic rating is a tested system with paperwork, not a thicker board.
- Finish level, specified on the drawing rather than assumed.
- Working hours, because fit-out in an occupied building is often out of hours.
- Scale, since machine application and jointing only pay above a certain area.
What the money buys: metal stud partitioning across an office or retail fit-out.
Who quotes for it
Questions about commercial plastering
Do I need FIS membership to work on commercial sites?
No. It is a trade body rather than a licence, and its membership leans towards fit-out contractors. Main contractors care more about your insurance, your accreditations and whether you can resource the programme.
Can a domestic plasterer take on commercial work?
The wet trades transfer straight across. Metal stud, certified partitions and working to a finish level on a drawing are a different discipline, and the paperwork around rated systems is where most people underestimate the step.