Going Solo – Pricing Skimming & Plasterboarding Jobs in the North West?

[plaster2025]

Hi all,

I am new here just found the forum and looks really helpful

I’ve been plastering for about 10 years now, but I’ve always worked under someone else. I’m thinking about finally going it alone and setting up my own business, mainly doing skimming and plasterboarding.


I’m trying to get my head around how people price jobs these days—specifically labour only vs. labour plus materials. For example, when you’re doing just plasterboarding or just skimming, how do you charge? Do most people work on a square meter rate? Or do you charge hourly? What’s the going rate in the North West for labour only, and what’s typical when including materials?


Also, when you need to travel out of your usual area, how do you factor that in? Do you charge extra per mile, or do you build it into your hourly/sq.m rate? What else do you take into consideration for travel or any other hidden costs?


I’d really appreciate any advice or tips from anyone who’s been there and done that starting out solo. Anything I might not be thinking of would be a massive help too.


Cheers!

 

[Kasper]

At the start work out what's your expenses, how long job will take and materials and try to gauge it that way. It'll take some time to get it right but try not to do day rate s**t or per hour as you'll be watched by customers. Also m2 price is fine but on domestic it won't really work that accurately. You want to be on price. If job is gonna let's say take 2 days, price it up as 2.5/3, finished early and no issues? Go home. s**t hit the fan and it's a bit of a nightmare? At least you covered yourself up.
Don't bother with checkatrade etc. You don't want to be paying to not get work. Get yourself decent website, Facebook, Instagram. Try to keep it up to date. It'll take 3-4 years to have a regular work through word of mouth. Try to be creative. Make some short videos etc mate it's your business, do what you want!
Don't sell yourself short. I know you won't be charging top dollar at the start but after some time up your wages mate, you not charity and its f**k**g hard work.
If I think of something else I'll try to add it

Good luck.

 

[Dollar]

Hi all,

I am new here just found the forum and looks really helpful

I’ve been plastering for about 10 years now, but I’ve always worked under someone else. I’m thinking about finally going it alone and setting up my own business, mainly doing skimming and plasterboarding.


I’m trying to get my head around how people price jobs these days—specifically labour only vs. labour plus materials. For example, when you’re doing just plasterboarding or just skimming, how do you charge? Do most people work on a square meter rate? Or do you charge hourly? What’s the going rate in the North West for labour only, and what’s typical when including materials?


Also, when you need to travel out of your usual area, how do you factor that in? Do you charge extra per mile, or do you build it into your hourly/sq.m rate? What else do you take into consideration for travel or any other hidden costs?


I’d really appreciate any advice or tips from anyone who’s been there and done that starting out solo. Anything I might not be thinking of would be a massive help too.


Cheers!

When I started on my own i had one job booked in bought a van for £6k I never had a day off for the first 2years…. Make sure you do not want any loans /mortgages ect for a few year
Forget 8-am till 4 pm hours
You will then be going home then pricing work on an evening .
You are fresh you are going to get mugged off by customers ,& not being able to read who not to work for .. (do not ever work for family or friends )

Wakey Wakey

 

[Monkey Boy]

labour plus materials.
Do you charge extra per mile, or do you build it into your hourly/sq.m rate? What else do you take into consideration for travel or any other hidden costs

You’ve mentioned labour and materials, sort of mentioned costs but your thinking cost of job that day not cost of running everything

Anything I might not be thinking of would be a massive help too.

You’re not thinking of profit

 

[malc]

It is NOT a good time to start up any business in the present financial climate. The north west is an area that you will be fogging a dead horse. What is needed to start up is the start of a boom period.
Local plasterers are leaving the trade finding better paid work elsewhere.

 

[Kasper]

I started 2 months before covid, I don't think I could pick worst time... if you want perfect time you might be waiting forever

 

[Topspread16]

Cream rises to the top, if you’re good you will be busy. Where about in the north west are you?

 

[Monkey Boy]

Local plasterers are leaving the trade finding better paid work elsewhere.

That IS a boom period! Upstairs for thinking……

 

[Danny]

Best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago or today

 

[algeeman]

Cream rises to the top, if you’re good you will be busy. Where about in the north west are you?

Botswana

 

[algeeman]

Best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago or today

you ok mate

 

[Topspread16]

Botswana

 

[sportsinsights]

I went solo last year and still tweaking my prices. In the North West I’m usually around £14/m² for skimming, more if it’s awkward or loads of prep. Just make sure you’re charging for your time properly — too easy to underprice when you're starting out.

 

[paulf]

Botswana

Have fun.

 

[spunky]

I went solo last year and still tweaking my prices. In the North West I’m usually around £14/m² for skimming, more if it’s awkward or loads of prep. Just make sure you’re charging for your time properly — too easy to underprice when you're starting out.

I’ve got a 2m cupboard ceiling fancy pricing it for me?

 

[Stevieo]

I went solo last year and still tweaking my prices. In the North West I’m usually around £14/m² for skimming, more if it’s awkward or loads of prep. Just make sure you’re charging for your time properly — too easy to underprice when you're starting out.

You can get £30k for a ceiling rose off spakkers in the north West @JessThePlasterer

 

[plaster2025]

At the start work out what's your expenses, how long job will take and materials and try to gauge it that way. It'll take some time to get it right but try not to do day rate s**t or per hour as you'll be watched by customers. Also m2 price is fine but on domestic it won't really work that accurately. You want to be on price. If job is gonna let's say take 2 days, price it up as 2.5/3, finished early and no issues? Go home. s**t hit the fan and it's a bit of a nightmare? At least you covered yourself up.
Don't bother with checkatrade etc. You don't want to be paying to not get work. Get yourself decent website, Facebook, Instagram. Try to keep it up to date. It'll take 3-4 years to have a regular work through word of mouth. Try to be creative. Make some short videos etc mate it's your business, do what you want!
Don't sell yourself short. I know you won't be charging top dollar at the start but after some time up your wages mate, you not charity and its f**k**g hard work.
If I think of something else I'll try to add it

Good luck.

thanks for this really helped for you advice