What does a plasterer do?

The overall goal of plastering is to provide a finish surface to create a satisfactory appearance inside or outside a building. As such, plasterers work on two types of plastering: interior and exterior plastering.

Rendering is the action of applying cement, plaster and lime mix to the outside walls. This is also referred to as external plastering. This activity can be delivered as part of the building process or as ongoing repairs (fixing or removing old plaster and re-rendering).

Interior plastering is more common and known. The plasterer applies coating to interior surfaces, skims the walls to make the surface smooth, and installs plasterboard to walls. The objective of plastering, either by doing repairs or working on a new build, inside the building or on its outside, is the same, providing walls and ceilings with a fresh feel and bringing a space back to life.

Plasterer skills and qualifications

Plasterers spend a lot of time on their feet, on a ladder or stretching to reach certain areas. Good stamina and an overall good fitness level is required. Successful plasterer candidates have the following skills to be able to fulfil their duties in the role:

• Be detail orientated and thorough
• Be a team player and therefore able to work in a group
• Be agile with their hands
• Work with tight timelines and be able to handle pressure
• Be accustomed to building and construction sites
• Have basic business skills
• Know the basics of computers and other hand-held devices

Plasterer experience requirements

In the construction industry, work experience is essential to increase employment opportunities. With the expertise of what happens on the ground, and the appropriate qualifications, it is possible to move up the ladder and become a supervisor. Some plasterers also work as subcontractors.

Additionally, lateral moves can be an option. Some plasterers expand their skills and move to a supervisory job, or into related areas such as tiling, dry lining, estimating and site management.

Plasterer education and training requirements

Formal qualifications are available for plasterers, however, on-site construction experience is a must. From traineeship to college providers, there are several routes that can be taken to get into this field. Starting at the local college with construction skills level 1 and moving to plastering level 2 or even an advanced technical diploma in plastering is possible. A traineeship is also an option. This can be a 2-week to 6-month course and skills can then be refined with work experience. Another option is an apprenticeship directly with a constructor. This allows full employment, and level 3 qualifications can be gained. As with any manual work, and particularly jobs in the construction industry, experience is a plus.

Plasterer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average hourly rate for a plasterer is £18.47. Of course, as with many professions, salaries vary depending on the experience, the company, the location and the fluctuation between market demand and jobseekers at the time of the application.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you are looking for guidance on creating a job description, check our article on how to write a job description here. Alternatively, check for other job description samples for similar roles or other roles in the construction industry.

• Construction Manager
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• Construction Superintendent
• Construction Worker
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