Professionally installed Venetian plaster in Melbourne starts from $180 per square metre plus GST. The final price depends on the area, the finish you choose, the level of sheen and the number of coats. Higher-sheen, polished finishes sit at the top of the range.
Here is what goes into that price and how to plan for it.
What the price includes
Venetian plaster is built up in thin layers by hand. A complete price should cover:
- Substrate preparation: making the wall flat, sound and ready to take the plaster.
- Base coats: the layers that create depth and movement.
- Burnishing: compressing and polishing the surface with a steel trowel to bring up the sheen.
- Sealing: protection suited to where the wall is and how it will be used.
We install the Decora range: genuine slaked lime and marble dust, handcrafted in Italy and tinted to order in our twelve colours, so the colour sits within the surface rather than being painted on.
What moves the price
Finish and sheen
This is the biggest single factor. A soft, matt finish needs fewer coats and less burnishing. A high-sheen, polished finish takes more layers and much more hand work, and costs more as a result.
The wall itself
Plaster shows what is underneath. Walls that are already flat need little preparation. Uneven walls, patched areas or older surfaces need more work before the first coat goes on.
Where it goes
A single feature wall is the most straightforward. Ceilings, curved walls, fireplaces, kitchen splashbacks and whole rooms involve more set-up, more edges and more time on the tools.
Area
As with most hand-applied finishes, there is a fixed amount of set-up and curing time on every job. Very small areas cost more per square metre than a full wall or room.
Venetian plaster compared with paint
Paint is cheaper to apply, and that will not change. Venetian plaster is a different kind of finish:
- Depth and movement: light moves across the layered lime in a way flat paint cannot.
- Colour in the material: it is tinted through, not coated on top.
- Longevity: lime cures harder over time and can be refreshed rather than stripped back.
People usually choose it for the walls that matter most in a room, rather than every surface.
Where it is not the right choice
Venetian plaster is a finish for walls and ceilings you look at. It is not designed for floors or wet areas such as showers. For bathrooms and wet areas we specify microcement instead, over a certified waterproof membrane.
How to get an accurate quote
To give you a firm price, we need:
- Which walls or ceilings you want finished, with rough dimensions or plans.
- Photos of the current surfaces.
- The look you are after: matt, soft sheen or high polish. Reference images help.
- Your colour preference, if you have one.
Request a consultation and we will come back with an itemised quote. For more answers, see the Venetian plaster FAQ.