How to become a plasterer - starting a plastering business

The UK Trade Skills Index 2024 estimates that 1.3 million new skilled workers and 350,000 apprentices will be needed over the next decade to meet government housing targets and industry demand.

In the face of this shortage, now could be the perfect time to turn your skills into a profitable plastering business.

Our practical guide will help you follow the steps involved in starting a plastering business and becoming a business owner.

Why consider starting a plastering business?

Starting a plastering business could be a great idea.

Plasterers are always in demand in the construction and home repair industries, so you’ll likely have steady work.

As a plasterer, you can offer different services, from fixing plasterboards and skimming to decorative work.

Offering various plastering services could help you better meet diverse client needs and potentially increase your business opportunities.

Running your own business also means you can set your own hours, choose which jobs to take on, and decide how much to charge – giving you more control over your work.

You can also choose what matters to you and shape your business to fit your values and goals.

You could contract with large construction companies for regular work or with private clients for higher profit margins.

Contracting could provide steady work, while direct customer work might allow for closer client relationships and more project control.

What skills and qualifications do I need to be a plasterer?

To run a successful plastering business, you will need the right qualifications, practical skills, soft skills and good physical fitness.

Practical skills and experience may come from qualifications like the Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Plastering, offered by City & Guilds.

Getting hands-on experience by working on-site or as a plasterer’s assistant could also be invaluable.

This real-world experience could teach you how to use the tools, perfect your technique, and understand how the job works day-to-day.

It also helps you build customer trust by showing you know what you’re doing.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) website offers information about training organisations and apprenticeships in construction trades, including plastering.

Knowing about relevant health and safety regulations is important so you and any staff you hire can work safely.

Soft skills, such as problem-solving and strong communication, could be useful for facing challenges and meeting customers' unique needs.

As a business owner, you should also learn business basics, such as financial management, marketing, and networking.

Financial management could be the most important of these skills, as it could help you keep your business profitable.

What equipment do I need?

You may need to invest in some essential equipment for your plastering business to do a good job and provide the best service to your customers.

With a range of tools, you could provide various plastering services to meet customer needs.

Here are some key items to consider:

• trowels
• hawk
• mixing buckets
• plastering float
• plaster
• plaster mixer
• spirit level
• corner trowel
• plastering brush
• protective gear (such as goggles, gloves, and dust masks)
• drop cloths and plastic sheeting.

Consider buying or hiring a van to transport your equipment between jobs securely.

Conducting market research

Conducting market research is an essential first step when starting any business, including a plastering business.

Market research helps you learn about the plastering industry and make smart decisions for your business.

You will need to research your local area, find out what construction work is happening, and identify your potential customers and competitors.

By understanding your competitors – how much they charge, the quality of their work, what they do well, and where they fall short – you could figure out how to set your business apart.

You might find gaps in their services which you could fill, or you could position your business as higher quality or more affordable.

Market research also helps you set prices that make sense for your market and customers.

As your business grows, it’s a good idea to monitor the market regularly so you can adjust and stay competitive.

For more details, you can read our complete guide on how to conduct market research.

How to set competitive prices

Setting the correct prices could be vital to the success of your small business.

If your prices are too low, you might not make enough profit.

If they’re too high, you might lose customers to competitors.

Consider how long each job will take, including both plastering and business administration time, to decide whether to charge by the hour or based on the job size.

When you quote for a job, include the cost of your labour, materials, business expenses, and a fair profit for your work and skills.

Providing written quotes to your clients in an email or letter could help avoid confusion.

Here are some tips for setting prices:

• use past projects to estimate how long a new project will take
• add a little extra in case of unexpected costs
• give detailed quotes and invoices to show you’re professional and trustworthy
• be transparent with your prices, so customers see the value you offer.

Steps to setting up a plastering business

1. Choosing a business structure

Before registering your plastering business, choose the proper business structure for you.

This decision will impact how your business operates and the tax you’ll pay.

Common business structures could include:

• sole trader – for self-employed individuals
• a partnership – for two or more people running a business together
• limited company – a legal entity separate from its owners.

At this stage, you may wish to consult with a business advisor to make sure you choose the right business structure for your needs.

Read our guide to start-up business structures.

2. Registering your business

Once you have decided on a business structure, you must register your business with HMRC for tax purposes.

• If you’ve chosen to work as a sole trader, you will need to register for self-assessment – this involves filing an annual tax return to report your earnings
• If you decide to operate as a limited company, you will need to register for corporation tax and with Companies House, to legally incorporate the company.

Registering with Companies House could protect your plastering business in several ways, including preventing others from using your name.

3. Apply for the necessary permits and licences

Depending on the type of work you plan to do in your plastering business, you may need various permits and licences.

If you work on building sites, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

This card verifies that you have the proper training and qualifications to do your job safely and effectively.

It’s also advisable to check if other local permits are required for specific types of plastering work, such as exterior rendering or decorative plastering, to avoid any legal issues.

4. Get insurance

Investing in business insurance could be a smart step to protect your business.

• public liability insurance could help protect against claims of injury or property damage caused by your work
• employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if you hire staff, and it covers claims made by employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses
• tool and equipment insurance could be a safeguard against damage or theft of your equipment
• professional indemnity insurance could be useful in case a customer claims that your work was inadequate or caused them financial loss.

Read more about business insurance for beginners.

5. Keeping records and bookkeeping

Organising your paperwork is important for managing your money and paying taxes.

Typically, this involves maintaining invoices, receipts, and detailed records of all your business expenses.

You may also want to keep photos of your work for legal purposes to protect your business from adverse customer claims.

Pictures could also be helpful in your marketing materials to showcase the quality and range of your services.

Using bookkeeping software could make organising your finances easier and help with forecasting.

6. Advertising and promoting your business

To attract the right customers and grow your plastering business, think about how you’ll market yourself.
Creating a professional business website could be a great start.

You could use it to promote your services, showcase your past work and provide your contact information.

You may also want to use social media to connect with potential customers and share updates on completed projects.

Read our free social media toolkit.

Joining industry bodies like the Federation of Master Builders could help you look more professional, meet others in the industry, and get access to useful resources and support.

Discover more smart strategies with our essential guide to marketing.