The best plasterers in Canberra

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Who are Canberra’s best plasterers? Photo: file.

There’s no denying that plastering is a difficult job to do yourself. No matter how handy you think you are, DIY plastering is messy, complicated and less likely to result in a finish that can stand the test of time.

That’s why it’s worth leaving plastering to the professionals. A skilled plasterer knows all the tricks of the trade to get your walls smooth, straight and ready for painting so that you’re left with a high-quality finish with a long life ahead of it.

Read on to discover what to look for in a plasterer, and where to find a good one in Canberra.

What makes a great plasterer?

The difference between excellent and shoddy plastering work may be obvious even to the untrained eye. But the reality is that it’s often more challenging for a layperson to determine which plasterer is better than another.

Based on reader feedback, here are five things we recommend checking before engaging a plasterer:

  • Specialisations. Like other trades, plasterers may be more experienced in a particular type of plaster, or certain plastering tasks (i.e. skimming or rendering). For the best results, your plasterer should specialise in the type of plastering work you need – whether that’s repairs, renovations, removing archways, soundproofing or fixing sagging ceilings.
  • Proper preparation. Ask your plasterer how they plan to prepare their work surfaces. There are many ways to prepare walls or ceilings before plastering begins, and cutting corners will affect both the end result and its longevity.
  • Years of experience. Plastering is as much a craft as it is a trade, and it’s a skill usually honed over many years. For this reason, the best plasterers tend to have several years of experience as opposed to just receiving their plasterer licence.
  • Reliability and transparency. Plastering isn’t always a quick job, and multiple visits may be required. A skilled plasterer will be honest, transparent and work as efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to you.
  • Testimonials. Your plasterer should have a proven track record and extensive portfolio of successful projects. Don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials from previous clients, or for photos of their work.

The best plasterers in Canberra

RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Canberra's Best Group

Experienced, competitive and with an unparalleled range of services, Canberra's Best Group (CBG) has locals covered for all their plastering needs. The company's management team alone brings together more than 60 years of combined industry experience - ensuring clients access services from professionals who truly know what they're doing.

Whether you need a quick patch, soundproofing, repairs to water or fire damage, or you've finally decided to get those contemporary curved walls, CBG's experienced plasterers can provide a free on-site quote and help resolve your problem swiftly and professionally.

The best part? CBG delivers 'superior services without the hefty price tag', showing their commitment to great value.

Managed by Ben and Josh, who have nine and 15 years' plastering experience respectively and 'incomparable' craftsmanship, the team consistently receives rave reviews like thisone, from Ian Dunn.

"I needed a small plastering job done to repair a water damaged ceiling," Ian says on Google.

"Ben arrived at exactly 9.15am, provided an acceptable quote and he and his partner did the work shortly after. I was very happy with the end result, the cost and the professionalism of the team, would definitely use them again and very happy to recommend to anyone needing plastering work."

Leaky Roof

Leaky Roof specialises in high-quality plaster work and repairs, fixing ceiling and wall plaster damaged by sub-standard roofs. With over 30 years of experience, this family-owned business patches and paints plaster with perfection. The friendly, reliable team repairs small cracks and completely renovates walls.

Professional painting and plastering services are provided for new builds, private and commercial properties and renovations of any size. Leaky Roof replaces gyprock, patches, repairs sagging roofs, handles cornice and square sets, and paints inside and out.

Leaky Roof uses only the best materials and techniques for a flawless finish. From preparing surfaces to applying paint, the team produces smooth, long-lasting results.

The transparent team at Leaky Roof delivers the best service and best-practice workmanship. Their hard work has been recognised, as they won Business of the Year and Outstanding Service & Trade at the 2023 Local Business Awards for Canberra Region.

Leaky Roof also handles roof replacement and repairs and gutter replacements and repairs.

Merrilyn Hamilton wrote on Google, “Five stars is not enough for all the hard work efficiency from A to Z.”

The Budget Plasterer

It can be frustrating to contact a plasterer only to discover that your job is too big or small for them to complete. The good news is that this doesn’t happen when working with The Budget Plasterer, as they cater to jobs of all sizes.

The Budget Plasterer has provided professional plastering services around Canberra for more than two decades. Its experienced team knows how to get great results without blowing the budget, and prides itself on transparency. You’ll know exactly what work will be completed, and why.

Google reviewer Edward Griffiths left the following review for The Budget Plasterer, “Great work and very reliable. Rene arrived exactly when he said he would. When doing the quote he communicated exactly what he would do and what we needed to do to make his work possible (we had some electrical heaters removed which left some pretty large holes). Quality of the work is fantastic. We could not be happier.”

Canberra Painting Company

When it comes to trust, professionalism, experience and results, readers say it’s difficult to go past Canberra Painting Company for plastering. A family business that’s been in Canberra for over 15 years, Canberra Painting Company is trusted by homeowners as well as major builders for new home builds and developments.

Canberra Painting Company’s staff are fully licenced and insured. Its teams take on plastering jobs of all sizes for existing homes, new homes, commercial premises and industrial buildings.

You won’t be left waiting either. Canberra Painting Company prides itself on a fast turn-around, offering quotes within 24 hours and a start date in as little as 7 days. And while plastering is an infamously messy job, Canberra Painting Company keeps things clean by providing full professional cleaning before every job is completed.

As Neal Evans writes in their review, "Great crew led by Amir, thank you, the place looks a million dollars. Will certainly get you back and recommend you to others."

Billerwell & Sons Plastering

Billerwell & Sons (B&S) Plastering is an award-winning plastering service that has been servicing Canberra since 1973. Their dedication to quality and professionalism has sustained them over the decades, making them one of Canberra’s favourite and most prestigious services.

B&S' portfolio boasts prestige jobs including the National Gallery of Australia, Old Parliament House, National Museum of Australia and War Memorial, but they are more than capable of taking care of residential jobs too. In their extensive list of services, you will find that not only can they plaster your walls and ceilings, but they can also help soundproof your house and give a good fire rating. B&S can also repair water damage and sagged ceilings and take care of small patch-ups and alterations.

B&S now offers a garage conversion service with full design and construction packages for repurposing your garage into a studio, rumpus, office or Man Cave. With more people working from home, a home office is becoming a must have for many Canberrans. Converting garages maximizes a home's living space and increases property value. The whole quote for this service includes wall to ceiling lining and insulation, removal of garage door, installation of glass slider doors, carpentry, air-conditioning, electrical, flooring and painting – so not only will you be getting a top-of-the-range repurposing of a misused space but you will not be surprised by any extra costs or rely on multiple services for one job.

As Jamie Walker writes in their Google review, "Could not ask for a better company. They were very professional and prompt with their work and perfect finish. Went to them woth a few ideas and the final job was completed beyond our expectations".

Canberra Plastering

Canberra Plastering is one of the region’s top plastering companies. Setting themselves apart with an incredibly wide range of services such as repairing water damage, plastering for extensions and renovations, and even helping you with open plan renovations, the team at Canberra Plastering provides great workmanship and professional service.

Offering free quotes and such a wide range of services, their portfolio is undeniable - with great attention to detail and longevity, you know you're in good hands with the team at Canberra Plastering.

As Facebook user Steven Whittaker writes in their review for Canberra Plastering, "Paul did a great job patching and installing some cornice during our bathroom reno. He came when he said he would (and at short notice) and completed the job as asked to a high standard. Would defiantly recommend."

If you’re looking for more of Canberra’s construction contractors to help you build or renovate your space, check out our articles on the best tilers, the best carpenters, the best flooring specialists and the best painters in Canberra. Or, if you’re after a more specific service for your area, check out our recently updated articles on the best kitchen renovators and the best bathroom renovation companies our city has to offer.

Your experience with plasterers in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with any of the plasterers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a plasterer do?

A plasterer's job is to paste layers of plaster onto walls, floors and ceilings. The plaster is a protective layer, making buildings more durable, as well as having an aesthetic function as it makes paint application easier, smoother, and more long-lasting.

Why should I hire a plasterer?

While it may seem like applying a layer of paste on walls is an easy job, it actually requires great attention to detail and know-how. Being able to apply a smooth and completely even layer of the plaster will prove extremely difficult, and the potential costs of having to repair a poorly plastered wall later make hiring a professional for the job absolutely worth it.

Is it expensive to hire a plasterer?

The cost of hiring a plasterer depends entirely on the job you hire them for. Like most contractors, plasterers charge by the hour, and the rate may vary depending on the type of job. Make sure your plasterer is completely transparent with you about their rates and quotes, and don't be afraid to shop around for comparisons.

What is the best plastering material to use?

There is a wide variety of plastering materials available, and all are suited to different purposes and materials. Gypsum plaster, for example, has a fine finish and is often used as a topcoat in plastering projects. It's less prone to cracking, making it a great choice for your walls' longevity. On the other hand, a smooth finish might not suit your tastes if you're looking at undercoats for brickwork or breeze blocks, in which case you might want to consider Browning or Bonding plaster which adheres better to those sorts of materials. It's worth having a conversation with your plasterer about what they think will work best for the space both functionally and aesthetically.

Is plaster environmentally friendly?

Like most construction materials, there are many options for materials that vary in environmental impact. Lime plaster is generally considered to be the most environmentally friendly, as the CO2 emissions from producing this material are comparatively low, while processing Gypsum plaster releases sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and carbon monoxide.

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Liam “Lemotank” Hart12:06 pm 23 Apr 21

Alex from Patch Your Crack, he patched 5 old ducted vent holes in my ceiling and fixed a home DIY patch for an amazing price, he was on time, neat, and did an amazing job. Thanks Alex
Contact him on 0434847530 or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/patchyourcrack/?ref=page_internal

yourcanberra5:19 pm 22 Mar 21

We used Alex from patch your crack, He has done an amazing job in two different houses we own.
Always polite and a joy to be around, the job is always left clean and I have had plenty of people tell me he has done an amazing job.
His number is 0434847530
Also a lot cheaper than a lot of other quotes I got.

I was very impressed with the quality of work done by Jason and Travis of JZ Plastering (0438 271 508). Not only was the quote competitive, but they paid great attention to detail, provided some useful suggestions on how to get the job done and also did some additional patch up work at no extra cost. Very friendly and helpful guys. Punctual and professional.

Kavita Verma7:49 pm 26 Feb 20

Jason and Travis from JZ Plastering (0438 271 508) did an amazing job plasterboarding our 3BR house and resurfacing our entire ceiling (which included patching a number of holes from installation of new lighting). The process was easy from receiving a competitive quote to getting the work done. They were on time, friendly, professional and did a flawless job. We have already recommended JZ Plastering to friends. We’re leaving this review to pay it forward as it can be a minefield trying to find the good tradie.

I’ve contacted 4 businesses, from amongst those mentioned above and those mentioned below, via their websites seeking quotes primarily to replace the sagging ceiling of my 1992 4BR home, plus the possibility of a few other jobs of varying sizes around the house (so a fair sized job request), and 5 days later have yet to hear back from any of them…

Disappointing…

Hi
Please phone 0401517960. We can definitely help you
Thanks

John Richmond3:48 am 27 Sep 19

I Recommend Justin @ Wolfe Plastering
Justin was a breath of fresh air to deal with, Outstanding skills and friendly, Justin provided a realistic price and came in under budget! couldn’t recommend enough
0401517960

scott fielding9:44 am 17 May 19

Totally recommend Paul Phillips (0421 706 802). He did a great job plastering our garage space. Was quick to provide a competitve quote, very friendly and professional….highly recommended.

Justin Wolfe9:24 am 17 May 19

WolfePlastering ACT 0401517960
Services Rural Act and Nsw
Hassle free, Mess Free, Quality work and friendly staff.
100% recommended

Andrew McGowan10:44 am 14 Mar 19

We have just had a big job completed by Jason from JZ Plastering. We were super impressed from start to finish. He was on time for the quote and every meeting after that. His crew were friendly, professional and tidy – always vacuuming and mopping up after themselves. The quality of the finishes were outstanding throughout the house. Jason has great knowledge about his trade but also building in general. He is one of the best tradesmen we have worked with.

James Lawless11:25 am 18 May 18

I have had a few plasterers come out to my property while we renovate.
If you want someone who will do an excellent job (probably the best I have seen), who is quite cost effective and is great to deal with you cannot go past Elite Plastering. Simon is awesome. Not they do a lot of work for high end builders but worth getting if you can.

I can also highly recommend Paul Phillips (0421 706 802). Very generous with his time and provides a very friendly service. We gave him a key to our house while we were away for a few days so he could finish the job. He managed to keep the cats inside…one of our cats is a very persistent runner! Paul is very neat, very professional, very honest, and has exquisite attention to detail. Will definitely use him again.

I can count on Paul Phillips (0421706802) to deliver quality workmanship, friendly service and provide trusted advice on our renovation project. I would highly recommend Paul for any plastering work and will use him again for our next project.

I recommend Paul Phillips (0421 706 802). He did a great job with our plastering and cornice. He gave excellent design advice as well to help us keep the costs down. I will definitely use him for future work.

Had a wonderful experience with Jason from JZ Plastering (0438 271 508). He came to give us a quote and was honest enough to say that the patch up job was quick and easy and he could do it on the spot! He did an amazing job for a very affordable price. When I botched up the sanding afterwards, he was happy to stop by again and take a look and fix up my mess. I would highly recommend Jason and would definitely use him again!

Hello jrc,

I had good experience in the past with http://thebudgetplasterer.com.au/.

They are based in Palmerston and did some residential plastering for us. Good mob and good work.

I would certainly recommend giving them a call.

My 2 cent.

I tried ringing Jason from JZ Plastering about a small job. He didn’t even bother ringing back.

Pork Hunt said :

The barstaff at several Queanbeyan venues helped me get totally plastered last night…

You now have a lucrative career ahead of you, annoying people at scenic spots.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44140973@N07/4955982573/

The barstaff at several Queanbeyan venues helped me get totally plastered last night…

I totally agree about Jason from JZ Plastering. He did an awesome job at our our house plastering some large holes left behind after we removed some lights and an old intercom system. He was reasonably priced, great to deal with, and his work was excellent.

Affirmative Action Man10:10 am 18 Feb 12

I’ve used barry ecklestone 0417456964 on several occasions for my rennovations.

Nice fellow, reliable & his prices were always reasonable

Andrew? from Pro Plaster Works has done a great job for us in the past, very thorough and very reasonably priced…

I have no idea if they’re any good, but the truck I saw today from “Totally Plastered” gets my vote for the name alone.

Used Jason from JZ Plastering (0438 271 508) a few weeks ago to fix some storm damage and some dents in the wall caused by the kids. Was cheap, friendly and did a first class job.

Lovely guy who turned up when he said he would, and even swept up afterwards.

We’ll be using him again!

John Hargreaves could perhaps help you out with your enquiry. He has been plastered a few times.

I have used Anthony Pierce from Pierce Trade Services for numerous plastering and rendering projects, all with A++ results. He is reliable – contact 0414 525 567.

I had a good experience with AGS Plastering. I got some patch work done last year, South Side and was very happy with the price and result.

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