What the price depends on
Labour is priced per square metre, but a few things move the rate. How many coats the chosen look needs. Whether it’s classic smooth Venetian with a mirror shine or matt marmorino. Whether there’s a metallic finish and wax at the end. And above all, the state of the wall. If it has to be brought dead flat first, that’s a separate job. Rates are in the table and kept up to date.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Venetian plaster | 130–350 zł/m² |
Indicative prices. Ranges for a typical scope. Fixings included, materials separate. Minimum order 300 zł.
The plaster, primer and wax are paid for separately, and here the material is a big part of the budget. Sheeting and masking tape for floors and windows, rubbish removal and carrying materials up are also separate, as set out in the handyman’s offer.
Rather hand the job over? More here: wall filling and skimming in Warsaw.
What Venetian plaster is and how it differs
Traditional Venetian plaster is made from slaked lime and marble dust. It goes on in very thin coats with a steel trowel and is then burnished with the same trowel under pressure until the surface starts to shine. The depth comes from coats that overlap and differ slightly in shade.
There are also acrylic products that look similar. They’re easier to work with and less fussy, but they look more like plastic and age differently. Ask the handyman which material they use and why they recommend it.
Compared with textured decorative plasters, the kind rolled or floated on, Venetian is thinner and glossier. A textured finish hides small flaws in the wall. Venetian shows them, especially in side light.
How the job goes
- Wall inspection: flatness checked with a straightedge, cracks, loose patches, old paint.
- Preparing the surface: skim coat, sanding, primer. The wall needs to be as flat and smooth as it would be for gloss paint.
- A test patch on part of the wall or on a board, so you see the colour and sheen in your own light.
- Thin coats, with drying time in between. One wall is done corner to corner in a single go, never stopped halfway.
- Burnishing and, if you chose it, wax for protection and extra shine.
Common mistakes
- Plastering over a wall that was never levelled, so every wave in the skim coat catches the light on its own.
- Stopping halfway across a wall and finishing the next day. The join always shows.
- Topping up with material from a different batch, so neighbouring areas end up a different shade.
- Choosing the colour from a catalogue under shop lighting, with no test on your own wall.
- Waxing before the plaster has dried, which leaves cloudy patches underneath.
- Mixing up textured decorative plaster and Venetian in the job description. They are different jobs at different rates.
What to prepare
- Photos of the whole wall and close-ups, ideally in daylight with light coming from the side.
- The wall’s rough size and where the sockets, switches and radiator are.
- A photo of the sample or finish you like. It helps judge how many coats are needed.
- A decision on who buys the material. If it’s you, agree the brand and quantity with the handyman first.
- Furniture moved away from the wall and nearby things covered against dust.
Frequently asked questions
Can Venetian plaster go in a bathroom or kitchen?
In a bathroom, yes, away from direct splashing. Wax helps it cope with humid air, but the shower area is still better left to tiles. In a kitchen, the wall behind the hob is also better covered with something easy to wipe.
Can it go over old paint?
Sometimes, if the paint is well bonded. Gloss paint is usually keyed, loose bits removed, then the wall primed. The handyman will tell you what your wall needs after seeing photos or the wall itself.
How do I look after it?
Once waxed, a soft damp cloth with no abrasives is enough. The wax can be refreshed over time.
How long does it take?
It depends on the area, the number of coats and how long each one takes to dry. If the wall needs levelling, add time for the skim coat. The handyman gives the timing in their offer.
How to order
Describe in the app which wall you want covered and add photos of it plus an example of the finish. Handymen near you will send offers with their own price and timing. Look through their reviews and past work and pick one; only that person sees your address.
You pay the handyman directly and they issue the invoice. They stand behind their own work: if their coats leave patches or a visible join, they’ll put it right. Cracks coming from the wall itself or from the building settling are not on them.
Do Venetian plaster right through to the wax? Create a tradesperson profile, show photos of your walls and get jobs from your own town. You work for yourself and choose your business setup.
Order in the app
Describe the job, add photos and the address. Tradespeople send their own prices and dates, and you pick one of the offers.
Open the app