Looking for a plasterer across Causeway Coast & Glens? NI Trades is an introduction service that matches Northern Ireland homeowners with plasterers who have passed our application-stage checks. Causeway Coast & Glens is one of 11 NI council districts; tradespeople choose the councils they cover, so picking a council means you reach every plasterer who works anywhere in this district. Post your job in two minutes - only profiles of plasterers interested in your specific job are revealed, and your contact details stay private until you choose who to talk to. Insurance, credentials and references are checked at application stage only - please verify current insurance and credentials directly with any tradesperson before work begins or any money is paid.
What hiring a plasterer in Causeway Coast & Glens looks like
Causeway Coast & Glens is a rural and coastal district on the north coast, home to around 144,000 people across towns like Coleraine, Ballymoney, Limavady, Portrush and Ballycastle. The stock includes seaside and holiday homes around Portrush and Portstewart, town terraces in Coleraine and Ballymoney, and a large base of dispersed rural cottages and farms through the Glens and Sperrin foothills.
For a plasterer that usually means skimming, re-plastering and rendering. Coleraine, Ballymoney and Limavady are on the firmus gas network, but the coast and glens are heavily oil-dependent, and seasonal and holiday properties add their own heating quirks.
Causeway Coast & Glens at a glance
Population
around 144,000 (2021 Census)
Main towns
Coleraine, Ballymoney, Limavady, Portrush, Ballycastle
District
a rural and coastal district on the north coast
Heating
Coleraine, Ballymoney and Limavady are on the firmus gas network, but the coast and glens are heavily oil-dependent, and seasonal and holiday properties add their own heating quirks.
Extension Building Control fee
around £375 (Full Plans, 2026)
Sources: NISRA Census 2021 (population); each council's published Building Control fees schedule (2026 snapshot, fees rise each April); Phoenix Energy, firmus energy and the Gas to the West project (gas-network coverage).
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How it works
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Post your job
Describe what needs doing and confirm your job is in Causeway Coast & Glens. Tradespeople see only the job - never your contact details.
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Get notified of interest
When a vetted tradesperson expresses interest you get a notification. Maximum 3 per job - no spam.
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Choose and connect
Only profiles of tradespeople interested in your specific job are revealed. You decide who to contact.
Building Control and approvals in Causeway Coast & Glens
If your plasterer job involves building, electrical, heating or drainage work that needs sign-off, it is approved by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's own Building Control office, not a UK-wide body. A typical domestic extension on the Full Plans route costs around £375 in Causeway Coast & Glens as of 2026, and Building Control fees across the 11 NI councils rise each April.
Before work starts, check whether you also need planning permission: see our NI planning permission guide and NI Building Regulations guide. Council Building Control applications across Northern Ireland go through Building Control NI.
Common services
- Skim coat over existing plaster
- Dry lining & plasterboard fitting
- Coving & cornice installation
- External sand & cement render
- Insulated external render systems
- Artex removal & replacement
- Patch repairs after pipe work
- Pebble dash application
- Venetian & decorative plaster
- Thistle bonding coat
- Soundproofing systems
- Stud wall construction
What to ask before hiring
- How long before the walls are ready to paint?
- Do you supply materials or should I source them?
- Can you match the existing texture or finish?
- Are you fully insured?
- Will you protect floors and fixtures during the work?
- Can I see examples of your work?
- What brand of plaster do you use?
Typical costs in Northern Ireland
| Job type | Typical price | Notes |
|---|
| Hourly rate | £30–£50/hr | Day rate typically £150–£280 |
| Single room skim (ceiling & walls) | £300–£700 | Average 3m × 4m room |
| Full house skim (3-bed) | £2,500–£5,000 | All rooms inc. ceilings |
| Dry lining (per m²) | £15–£30/m² | Plasterboard fixed and skimmed |
| External render (per m²) | £25–£50/m² | Sand and cement, exc. scaffolding |
| Insulated render system (per m²) | £80–£150/m² | EWI, full system supply and fix |
| Coving installation (per m) | £10–£25/m | Including adhesive and finishing |
| Artex removal (per room) | £200–£600 | Testing for asbestos first recommended |
Qualifications & accreditations to look for
City & Guilds Plastering Level 2/3
Core plastering qualification
NVQ Level 2/3 Plastering
National vocational qualification
CSCS Skilled Worker Card
Required on most commercial sites
EWI Training Certificate
External wall insulation system installer
Public Liability Insurance
Minimum £1m — required on NI Trades
Frequently asked questions
Does artex contain asbestos?
Artex applied before 1984 has a higher chance of containing chrysotile (white) asbestos. However, the material is only dangerous if disturbed or sanded. Before any artex removal, have a sample tested by an accredited laboratory (cost approximately £30–£50). If asbestos is confirmed, a licensed removal contractor must be used, not a general plasterer.
What is the difference between bonding and skim?
Bonding coat is a thick undercoat applied to surfaces that need building up — such as block walls, repairs after pipe chases, or surfaces that won't take skim directly. Skim coat is the thin finishing coat (2–3mm) applied over bonding or existing plaster to create a smooth surface. Most walls that have already been plastered just need a skim.
Can I paint straight after skimming?
No. Fresh plaster is alkaline and porous. You should apply a mist coat (highly diluted emulsion — approximately 70% paint, 30% water) once the plaster is dry but before it has fully carbonated (usually 1–2 weeks). The mist coat seals the surface. Full painting should then wait another 4–6 weeks until the plaster is completely dry.
What is insulated render and is it worth it?
External Wall Insulation (EWI) is a system that fixes insulation boards to the exterior of your home and then renders over them. It can reduce heat loss by up to 45% in solid-wall properties, significantly cutting heating bills. In Northern Ireland's climate it also provides excellent weather resistance. Government grants may be available through the NI Boiler Replacement Scheme and NISEP energy efficiency schemes.
Helpful NI guides for hiring a plasterer
Important
Allow fresh plaster to dry fully before painting — this typically takes 4–6 weeks depending on room ventilation. Painting too early traps moisture and causes flaking, bubbling and poor coverage.
Causeway Coast & Glens is part of our Northern Ireland directory. NI Trades is an introduction service, we list tradespeople who have passed our application-stage checks, but we are not party to any contract you enter into with a tradesperson. See how we vet tradespeople or browse all trade categories.