Plasterer Job Description
Hire a skilled plasterer to prepare, plaster and finish internal and external surfaces to a high standard. Use this template to attract proven tradespeople who can deliver tidy, durable finishes across residential and commercial sites.
What does a Plasterer professional do?
A plasterer applies and finishes plaster and render on walls and ceilings; advertise experience with skimming, patch repairs, and safe site working alongside details about travel and tooling.
Plasterer job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Plasterer
About the role
We are hiring a Plasterer to join our site teams working on residential and commercial projects in [Location]. You will prepare surfaces, mix and apply plaster, produce smooth skims and carry out repairs to specified standards. Candidates must demonstrate proven plastering experience and a strong eye for finish; experience with external render or dry lining is desirable. Competitive pay and [benefits/allowances] available.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare walls, ceilings and external surfaces by cleaning, repairing substrates and applying bonding agents where required
- Mix plaster, render and setting compounds to correct consistency and apply using trowel, float and hawk
- Produce level, smooth finishes (skimming and scratch coats) to drawings and specifications
- Set out work, take accurate measurements and mark-up straight lines and angles
- Repair and patch existing plasterwork, matching texture and finish
- Work safely on ladders, towers and scaffolding and follow site safety procedures
- Coordinate with other trades on site to complete jobs to programme
- Maintain and store tools and equipment; report and record materials used and time spent on site
Essential skills and experience
- Proven hands-on experience as a plasterer on live projects
- Skilled in internal skimming, patch repairs and achieving high-quality finishes
- Comfortable using hand and power tools common to plastering work
- Good understanding of mixing ratios, curing times and suitable materials
- Ability to work at height and handle manual duties safely
- Reliable timekeeping and ability to work independently or as part of a small team
- Good communication skills to liaise with site managers and other trades
Desirable
- NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Plastering or related vocational qualification
- CSCS card or recognised site access certification
- Experience with external render systems and cement/silicate renders
- Experience with dry lining, boarding and bead installation
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travelling between sites
- Previous work on listed buildings, conservation or new-build housing
What we offer
- [Competitive pay or day rate]
- [Pension scheme or employer contributions]
- [Paid holiday entitlement]
- [Overtime and weekend premium rates]
- [Training and certification support]
- [Tool allowance or equipment provided]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Plasterer role?
Plasterers prepare and apply plaster, render and other finishing materials to internal and external building surfaces. They set out work, mix materials to correct consistencies, apply multiple coats and produce smooth or textured finishes to meet specifications. Work commonly takes place on construction sites, domestic renovations or refurbishment projects and requires safe working at height and close coordination with other trades.
Typical work
Internal skimming, patch repairs, external rendering, dry lining and finishing to meet client specifications.
Core skills
Material mixing, trowel and float techniques, surface preparation, measuring and achieving consistent finishes.
Working conditions
On-site work across domestic and commercial projects; may involve ladders, scaffolding and outdoor exposure.
Progression
Senior plasterer, site supervisor, specialist renderer or trainer roles with certification and experience.
Typical Plasterer responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Prepare walls
Prepare walls, ceilings and external surfaces by cleaning, repairing substrates and applying bonding agents where required
Mix plaster
Mix plaster, render and setting compounds to correct consistency and apply using trowel, float and hawk
Produce level
Produce level, smooth finishes (skimming and scratch coats) to drawings and specifications
Set out work
Set out work, take accurate measurements and mark-up straight lines and angles
Repair
Repair and patch existing plasterwork, matching texture and finish
Work safely on ladders
Work safely on ladders, towers and scaffolding and follow site safety procedures
Coordinate with other trades on site
Coordinate with other trades on site to complete jobs to programme
Maintain
Maintain and store tools and equipment; report and record materials used and time spent on site
Plasterer skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven hands-on experience as a plasterer on live projects
- Skilled in internal skimming, patch repairs and achieving high-quality finishes
- Comfortable using hand and power tools common to plastering work
- Good understanding of mixing ratios, curing times and suitable materials
- Ability to work at height and handle manual duties safely
- Reliable timekeeping and ability to work independently or as part of a small team
- Good communication skills to liaise with site managers and other trades
Useful where relevant
- NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Plastering or related vocational qualification
- CSCS card or recognised site access certification
- Experience with external render systems and cement/silicate renders
- Experience with dry lining, boarding and bead installation
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travelling between sites
- Previous work on listed buildings, conservation or new-build housing
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Plasterer job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with the job specifics
State the site types (residential, commercial, refurbishment), typical shift pattern and whether travel between sites is expected.
Be clear about tools and PPE
Tell candidates whether tools, PPE and a vehicle are supplied or if they must provide their own; this is decisive for tradespeople.
Request a short portfolio
Ask applicants to include recent photos of finished work or references to specific projects to evidence finish quality.
Highlight training and progression
Specify any funded qualifications, on-the-job training or route to supervisory roles to attract ambitious and experienced operatives.
Plasterer salary considerations
Plasterer pay varies by location, employer and the type of work. When setting a rate or range, consider the following factors rather than relying on a single market figure.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Plasterer candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What are the typical hours and shift patterns?
Candidates will want to know start/finish times, expected overtime, weekend work and whether there is a standard working week or variable schedules.
Is travel between sites required and is a vehicle needed?
Clarify the geographic area covered, whether mileage or fuel is paid and if a vehicle or driving licence is essential.
How is pay structured?
State whether you pay a day rate, hourly wage, salary or use self-employed contracts, and how overtime and holiday pay are handled.
What health and safety provisions are in place?
Candidates expect details on PPE provision, site induction, training, and any required site cards or certifications.
Is training or support for qualifications provided?
Indicate whether you fund NVQs, CSCS cards or specialist training and whether there are routes to supervisory roles.
Are tools and equipment supplied?
Tradespeople need to know if the employer supplies major equipment and consumables or if they should bring and maintain their own tools.
Where to post a Plasterer job
This role suits a mix of broad and specialist recruitment channels. Use national job boards and local classifieds for general reach, industry-specific construction and trades boards to find qualified applicants, and local social groups or trade colleges for trainee or apprentice hires. For experienced operatives, advertise on professional networks and trade forums where plasterers and subcontractors actively search for day-rate or contract work.
Plasterer job description FAQs
Do plasterers need formal qualifications?
Formal qualifications (such as NVQs) are common and helpful but not always essential. Practical experience and a strong finish portfolio are often the deciding factors. Site access cards such as a CSCS are usually required to work on many construction sites.
Should I advertise as PAYE or self-employed?
Choose the contract type that reflects how you will manage tax, liability and rostering. PAYE roles suit employees needing benefits and regular hours; subcontracting suits short-term or specialist day-rate work. Be clear in the advert to set expectations.
How detailed should the advert be about tools and PPE?
Very. State whether tools, major equipment and PPE are provided or expected from the candidate. This information significantly influences who applies.
How long does it take to fill a plasterer role?
Times vary by location and the specificity of skills required. Simple local vacancies can fill quickly, while specialist or highly skilled roles may take several weeks to find suitable candidates.
Is a driving licence required?
A driving licence is commonly requested because operatives travel between sites, but it is not a legal requirement for plastering itself. Mark it as essential only if travel or a company vehicle is unavoidable.
Ready to post your Plasterer vacancy?
Use this template to build a clear advert, add specifics about pay, hours and benefits, then distribute across local and construction-focused channels to reach suitable candidates. You can also request targeted posting services to increase visibility among experienced tradespeople.
