An ornamental plasterer is a craftsperson with expertise in creating and restoring decorative plasterwork - cornices, ceiling roses, friezes, mouldings and fibrous plaster panels. This highly specialised skill is in demand for the restoration of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian interiors and for the repair of decorative plaster in listed buildings. Ornamental plasterers may work in both lime putty plaster (for historic conservation) and modern fibrous plaster (for new reproduction work), and the best are familiar with both approaches. The Building Crafts College in London is the primary training institution for this craft in the UK.
What they do
- Repair and consolidate damaged historic cornices and ceiling features
- Run in-situ cornices using lime plaster and profile templates
- Cast replacement sections of cornice from surviving original moulds
- Restore and reinstate ceiling roses and decorative ceiling panels
- Fabricate fibrous plaster panels, columns and decorative elements
- Install coving and mouldings in period property renovations
- Produce heritage documentation for Listed Building applications
- Advise on repair methods for significant historic plasterwork
When you need one
An ornamental plasterer is needed for any repair or reinstatement of decorative plasterwork in period properties and for listed building restoration.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cornice repair (per metre) | £80 - £200 / m |
| Cornice reproduction (per metre) | £100 - £280 / m |
| Ceiling rose installation (supply and fit) | £300 - £800 |
| Ornamental panel restoration (per day) | £200 - £350 / day |
| Fibrous plaster panel (supply and fit, per sq m) | £100 - £250 / sq m |
| Run in-situ cornice (per metre) | £150 - £350 / m |
| Hourly rate | £40 - £75 / hr |
Running in-situ cornice (using a profile on site) costs more than casting from a mould but produces a more authentic result for conservation work. London rates are typically 20-30% higher than the national average.
Qualifications and memberships to look for
Guild membership provides a quality reference. For ornamental plasterwork, ask for a portfolio of comparable projects and references from conservation architects or listed building owners.
The Building Crafts College in London runs courses in heritage plastering including lime putty work, running cornices and fibrous plaster. Craftspeople trained at the Building Crafts College have a rigorous grounding in traditional ornamental plaster techniques.
How to find an ornamental plasterer
Frequently asked questions
How is a historic cornice reproduced?
A plaster cast is taken from a surviving section of the original cornice. New mouldings are then run in lime plaster using a profile (template) cut to match the original. On a large project the profile may be run in situ along the wall using a running rule and screeds. For listed buildings where the original profile has been lost, measured drawings or historical photographs may be used to reconstruct the profile.
What is fibrous plaster?
Plaster reinforced with sisal or fibreglass - used to make lightweight decorative panels, columns and ceiling features that can be prefabricated in a workshop and fixed on site. Originally developed in the 19th century, fibrous plaster allowed complex decorative features to be produced more quickly and at lower cost than solid lime plaster. Modern fibrous plaster uses glass fibre reinforcement in place of the original sisal.
Can damaged ornamental plaster be repaired rather than replaced?
Yes - skilled ornamental plasterers can consolidate, patch and reinstate missing sections of historic decorative plasterwork. Full replacement should be a last resort for significant historic features as it destroys irreplaceable evidence of original craftsmanship. Conservation repair methods include consolidating loose sections, casting replacement parts from surviving moulds, and in-filling missing areas using compatible lime plaster mixes.