In 40 seconds
Skimming a room in the UK typically costs roughly £450–£850 depending on size, while a full re-plaster back to brick is more — often £750–£1,300 for a medium room. Per square metre, a skim runs about £15–£25/m² and a full backing-and-skim around £25–£40/m², with ceilings costing roughly 20–30% more than walls. Fresh skim usually needs 2–3 days to dry before a watered-down mist coat, and longer for thicker backing coats. Pre-2000 textured coatings such as Artex may contain asbestos, so have them tested before any disturbance. The honest answer is always a range, because it depends on your room size, condition and method.
Most plastering guidance is published by firms quoting for the work, so the numbers tend to be optimistic and the caveats glossed over. The pages below give honest cost ranges, explain the difference between a skim and a re-plaster, set out realistic drying times before you paint, compare plasterboard with wet plaster, and cover the Artex and asbestos point — before you take a single quote.