The average cost to apply Venetian plaster is $700, but it can cost between $585 and $815, depending on project size and labor costs.
Venetian plaster is a textural finish that can be applied to painted walls to elevate your home’s aesthetic. The average cost to apply Venetian plaster is $700, but it ranges from $585 to $815. The size of your project will also affect the price, with the average project costing $10 to $25 per square foot.
Venetian plaster is a mixture of fired limestone and water that provides a soft, organic look. It can add depth and movement to a space and a subtle, iridescent sheen. This timeless finish is an interior update that can withstand the test of time. Find how much it costs to install Venetian plaster based on factors like materials and whether you hire a pro to do it.
| Cost Factor | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Materials | $60 – $200 |
| Labor | $20 – $100 per hour |
| Size | $10 – $25 per square foot |
Venetian plaster installation costs include materials, labor, and size. Larger projects involving higher-end materials will cost more. A plaster repair professional can help estimate the cost for your particular job.
The bigger your room, the more you'll pay for Venetian plaster application. Large spaces require more materials and time. Venetian plaster applications cost around $10 to $25 per square foot.
Application materials for Venetian plaster include sandpaper, painting primer, colorant, a topcoat or paste wax, and the plaster itself. You'll also need a steel trowel or drywall knife and a paintbrush, roller, and paint tray. Depending on their quality, type, and amount, these items cost around $60 to $200.
“We worked on adding electrical outlets to a historic home built in the mid-1850s in historic Wilmington, North Carolina,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “To do that, we needed to make cuts in the vintage lath-and-plaster walls. You can’t repair that with 21st-century drywall and joint compound and have an authentic look.”
Many people hire a professional to apply Venetian plaster to ensure a flawless appearance. Professionals might charge by the hour or square foot. Hourly rates often range from $20 to $100 per hour, while costs by the square foot range from $2 to $20, depending on the professional's experience and your project's complexity.
“Take your time and find a plaster pro who not only has deep experience but has a passion for getting the right look,” Tschudi says.
Your Venetian plaster price will vary depending on the style and whether it’s undyed or colored.
Colorless Venetian plaster (meaning it contains no dye) costs less than dyed Venetian plaster. Colorless options for your Venetian plaster project cost around $12 to $15 per square foot.
Venetian plaster is available in hundreds of colors to match your decor or upgrade your living space. You’ll pay more for colored Venetian plaster than for colorless options. The average cost for colored Venetian plaster is closer to the high-end cost for this project, or around $25 per square foot.
| Venetian Plaster Style | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Undyed Venetian plaster | $12–$15 |
| Colored Venetian plaster | $25 |
Applying Venetian plaster yourself will save you money in labor costs since you won't need to hire a pro. Instead, you'll only need to pay for the price of the materials, which ranges from $60 to $200.
While applying Venetian plaster yourself can save you about $2 to $20 per square foot in labor costs, it's a tricky project to get right. A less-than-professional application can result in an unpolished appearance, so we only recommend this project for people with some plaster application experience under their belt. Otherwise, it's probably your best bet to hire a local plaster repair company to tackle it for you.
Whether or not Venetian plaster walls increase your home's value depends on the buyer. Since Venetian plaster is purely aesthetic, it doesn't add structural value to your home. However, many people love the look Venetian plaster gives to a home, so it might catch the eye of more buyers, potentially increasing your home's value to them.
Once dried, Venetian plaster becomes a rock-like substance that’s durable and excellent at resisting damage. If properly sealed to resist moisture and maintained, Venetian plaster should last for at least a decade but potentially as long as a lifetime. Thanks to its mineral content, it can also develop a patina.
Venetian plaster is very easy to maintain. As long as your plaster is properly sealed, you can safely wipe it down with water and mild soap to remove any scuffs or stains. And if your plaster wall cracks or chips, you can often simply patch it rather than replastering the whole wall to restore its appearance.
