Plastering sits at a point in the build where everything before it has to be right (framing, services, insulation) and everything after it (paint, fixtures, joinery) depends on the surface you deliver. A quote that misses scope, underestimates access difficulty, or fails to specify the finish level creates disputes that eat your margin and your reputation.
This guide covers how Australian plasterers quote residential and light commercial work in 2026. It applies to both dry lining (plasterboard) and solid plastering (render, skim coat, ornamental), with rates sourced from ServiceSeeking, ServiceTasker, Service.com.au, and industry supplier pricing.
Step 1: Calculate your true cost per hour
Before you price any job, know what it actually costs you to operate per hour. Add up:
- Wages or drawings (including super at 11.5%)
- Vehicle costs (ute, fuel, rego, insurance, trailer if applicable)
- Insurance (public liability, income protection, tool insurance)
- Tools and equipment (stilts, scaffold, trowels, hawk, sander, mixer, laser level, banjo taper)
- Licensing and training (annual licence renewal, White Card, CPD if applicable)
- Overheads (phone, accounting, software, protective gear, PPE)
Most Australian plasterers land between $35 and $60 per hour in true cost before margin. Your charge-out rate covers this plus a 25-40% margin. On a per-square-metre basis, the true cost builds into the rate automatically, which is why knowing it matters: if your per-m² rate does not cover your hourly cost multiplied by the hours the job actually takes, you lose money regardless of what the market charges.
Step 2: Choose the right pricing model
Plastering uses three pricing models. The right one depends on the job type and how well you can define the scope before starting.
| Model | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Per square metre | New builds, extensions, renovation boarding, rendering | Price per m² of board/render area (supply + install or labour only). Industry standard for measurable jobs. Covers 70%+ of residential plastering work. |
| Fixed price | Single-room reline, cornice replacement, defined patch work, feature walls | One price for a defined scope. Works when you can inspect the full site and measure before quoting. Clients prefer it for renovation work because they know the total upfront. |
| Hourly | Investigation, small repairs, jobs with uncertain scope | Charge by the hour plus materials. Use this when existing linings need to come off before you can see the real condition underneath. Quote a time estimate to give the client a budget range. |
On new-build work for builders, per-square-metre is non-negotiable. That is the language the builder quotes in and the language the contract is written in. On renovation work for homeowners, fixed price converts better because the client wants a number, not a formula.
Step 3: Charge-out rates by city
These are charge-out rates (what you bill the client), not employee wages. They reflect 2026 pricing for a qualified plasterer running their own business or a plastering subcontractor quoting to a builder.
| City | Residential ($/hr) | Commercial ($/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $80 - $120 | $90 - $130 |
| Melbourne | $75 - $120 | $85 - $125 |
| Brisbane | $65 - $100 | $75 - $110 |
| Perth | $70 - $110 | $80 - $120 |
| Adelaide | $60 - $95 | $70 - $105 |
| Gold Coast | $70 - $110 | $80 - $120 |
| Canberra | $70 - $110 | $80 - $120 |
| Hobart | $60 - $90 | $70 - $100 |
| Darwin | $75 - $115 | $85 - $125 |
| Regional | $55 - $85 | $65 - $100 |
These rates apply to hourly work. Most jobs are quoted per square metre or fixed price, where the hourly rate is implied by the area and the time you estimate the job will take. If a 100m² boarding job takes you 3 days solo and you quote $3,500 for labour, that works out to about $145/hour. That is fine if you are fast and efficient. Quote the job, not the hours.
Step 4: Per-square-metre rates by work type
Plasterboard (dry lining)
| Work type | Supply + install ($/m²) | Labour only ($/m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard walls (10mm board) | $25 - $40 | $15 - $25 |
| Standard ceilings (10mm board) | $30 - $50 | $20 - $30 |
| Moisture-resistant walls (wet areas) | $35 - $55 | $20 - $30 |
| Moisture-resistant ceilings (wet areas) | $40 - $55 | $22 - $32 |
| Fire-rated walls (13mm fire board) | $35 - $55 | $20 - $30 |
| Fire-rated ceilings | $40 - $60 | $22 - $35 |
| Raked/cathedral ceilings | $45 - $70 | $28 - $45 |
| Curved walls (wet-bent or flexible board) | $55 - $90 | $35 - $55 |
| Skim coat over existing board | $15 - $30 | $12 - $25 |
| Set and stop joints only | $8 - $15 | $8 - $15 |
Solid plastering and rendering
| Work type | Supply + install ($/m²) |
|---|---|
| Cement render (2-coat exterior) | $30 - $50 |
| Acrylic render (exterior) | $45 - $70 |
| Texture coat finish | $50 - $80 |
| Bagged finish (brick) | $25 - $40 |
| Venetian plaster (interior) | $80 - $150 |
| Heritage/ornamental solid plaster | $90 - $200+ |
| Patch render repair | $40 - $70 |
Cornice and trims
| Item | Supply + install ($/lm) |
|---|---|
| Standard cove cornice (55-75mm) | $8 - $15 |
| Decorative colonial cornice | $15 - $25 |
| Ornate Victorian/heritage cornice | $25 - $60+ |
| Shadow line (square-set) finish | $12 - $22 |
| Corner bead (external corners) | $6 - $10 |
| Bulkhead/soffit lining | $35 - $60 |
Other common items
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Access panel (ceiling, standard) | $50 - $120 each |
| Strip existing plasterboard | $8 - $15/m² |
| Strip existing solid plaster | $15 - $25/m² |
| Asbestos testing (per sample) | $30 - $60 |
| Scaffold hire (per week, single level) | $200 - $500 |
| Skip bin, small (3m³) | $250 - $400 |
| Finish level upgrade (Level 3 to 4) | +$3 - $5/m² |
| Finish level upgrade (Level 4 to 5) | +$5 - $8/m² |
Step 5: Understand finish levels
AS/NZS 2589:2017 defines five finish levels for plasterboard joints and surfaces. Specifying the finish level in your quote prevents disputes about surface quality after the painter starts.
| Level | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Tape embedded in compound. No further coating. | Above ceilings, behind permanent fixtures, service areas where fire or sound rating is required but surface finish is irrelevant. |
| Level 2 | One additional coat of compound over tape. Fastener heads coated once. | Substrate for heavy texture coatings, tile adhesive, or areas concealed behind built-in furniture. |
| Level 3 | Two additional coats over tape (three coats total). Sanded smooth. Fasteners coated twice. | Standard residential. Suitable for matte and low-sheen paint, light texture, and wallpaper. Covers 80%+ of residential work. |
| Level 4 | Level 3 plus a skim coat of compound over all joints and fastener heads. | Semi-gloss and gloss paint. Areas with critical side-lighting (hallway feature walls, stairwells). Required when the paint sheen will show any imperfection. |
| Level 5 | Level 4 plus a thin skim coat over the entire board surface. | High-gloss paint. Enamel finishes. Areas under direct, raking light where any surface variation is visible. Premium residential and high-end commercial. |
If the client or builder does not specify a finish level, Level 3 is the default for residential work. Always confirm the finish level in writing before you start. If the painter later complains about joint visibility under side-lighting, a written specification of Level 3 protects you from a free rework to Level 4.
Step 6: Material costs for quoting
These are trade supply prices. Apply a 15-25% markup when you supply materials to cover ordering, delivery coordination, storage, and waste risk.
| Material | Unit | Trade cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard plasterboard 10mm (2400 x 1200) | per sheet | $20 - $25 |
| Standard plasterboard 10mm (3600 x 1200) | per sheet | $28 - $35 |
| Standard plasterboard 10mm (4800 x 1200) | per sheet | $35 - $42 |
| Fire-rated plasterboard 13mm (2400 x 1200) | per sheet | $30 - $38 |
| Moisture-resistant plasterboard (2400 x 1200) | per sheet | $30 - $40 |
| Impact-resistant plasterboard (2400 x 1200) | per sheet | $35 - $45 |
| Joint compound (ready-mix, 15kg box) | per box | $25 - $40 |
| Paper tape (75m roll) | per roll | $5 - $8 |
| Fibreglass mesh tape (90m roll) | per roll | $8 - $12 |
| Metal corner bead (2400mm length) | per length | $3 - $6 |
| Cove cornice 55mm (standard, per length) | per 4.2m | $8 - $14 |
| Plasterboard screws (8g x 32mm, box of 1000) | per box | $18 - $28 |
| Adhesive (stud adhesive, 375ml cartridge) | per cartridge | $6 - $10 |
| Cement render mix (20kg bag) | per bag | $12 - $20 |
| Acrylic render (15L pail) | per pail | $80 - $150 |
Longer board lengths (3600mm and 4800mm) reduce the number of joints and waste on large wall areas, but you need adequate vehicle access and on-site storage space. On a new build, buying in bulk from a single supplier and getting a delivery to site saves 10-15% over multiple smaller orders from a retail outlet.
Step 7: Waste calculation
| Scenario | Waste allowance |
|---|---|
| Standard rectangular rooms, new build | 10% |
| Rooms with many penetrations (kitchen, bathroom) | 12 - 15% |
| Raked/cathedral ceilings | 12 - 15% |
| Curved walls or arches | 15 - 20% |
| Cornice, straight runs | 5 - 8% |
| Cornice, many corners | 10 - 12% |
On a standard 3-bedroom house, 10% waste is realistic. If you consistently come in under 10%, you are an efficient cutter. If you consistently exceed 12% on standard rooms, review your layout planning and board-length selection.
Common job benchmarks
These are total prices including materials, labour, and GST for a mid-range Australian city (Brisbane/Melbourne). Sydney adds 10-15%. Regional areas deduct 10-20%.
| Job | Typical range (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Single room, walls only (~30m²) | $900 - $1,500 |
| Single room, walls + ceiling (~42m²) | $1,400 - $2,400 |
| Bathroom reline, moisture-resistant (~20m²) | $1,000 - $1,700 |
| Full room skim coat (~80m²) | $1,400 - $2,800 |
| 3-bed house, new build lining + cornice | $14,000 - $20,000 |
| 4-bed house, new build lining + cornice | $18,000 - $26,000 |
| Small patch repair (1-2 holes) | $180 - $400 |
| Ceiling patch and paint match (~2m²) | $250 - $500 |
| Cornice replacement, full room (16lm) | $250 - $450 |
| Bulkhead construction, kitchen (6lm) | $300 - $550 |
| Exterior cement render, single wall (~30m²) | $1,200 - $2,000 |
| Whole house cement render (~200m²) | $9,000 - $14,000 |
| Whole house acrylic render (~200m²) | $13,000 - $19,000 |
| Feature wall, Venetian plaster (~12m²) | $1,200 - $2,200 |
| Commercial office fitout (~500m²) | $18,000 - $35,000 |
These benchmarks are for quoting reference. Your actual price depends on site conditions, access, the board types required, and the finish level specified. A 3-bed house with 2.7m ceilings, standard board, and Level 3 finish sits at the lower end. The same house with raked ceilings, fire-rated board in the garage, moisture-resistant board in two bathrooms, and Level 4 finish pushes toward the upper end.
Material markup
| Category | Typical markup | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Plasterboard sheets | 15 - 20% | High volume, competitive pricing, clients can check retail easily |
| Specialty board (fire, moisture, impact) | 18 - 25% | Less price-transparent, you carry the specification risk |
| Cornice and trims | 20 - 30% | Breakage during handling and fitting, need to carry stock |
| Consumables (compound, tape, screws, adhesive) | 20 - 30% | Small cost per unit, high handling effort, hard for client to track |
| Render products (cement, acrylic) | 20 - 30% | Heavy products, delivery cost, mixing waste |
| Scaffold hire (if you arrange) | 15 - 20% | You coordinate delivery, erection, and collection; you carry the time risk |
On builder-supply jobs (labour only), your per-m² rate covers only your time and tools. You are not responsible for board damage, shortages, or delivery timing. Make this clear in your quote. Builder-supply jobs carry less margin but also less risk.
Site conditions that change the price
- Ceiling height over 2.7m: Add 10-20% for scaffold or taller stilts, slower board handling, and more difficult joint finishing overhead.
- Raked or cathedral ceilings: Add 20-35%. Every board needs angle-cutting, the scaffold setup changes for each section, and taping at height on an incline is slower than flat work.
- Access restrictions: Add 10-25% if materials cannot be delivered to the work area directly (upstairs without a lift, narrow doorways, heritage buildings with restricted vehicle access).
- Existing lining strip-out: Budget $8-15/m² for plasterboard, $15-25/m² for solid plaster. Add skip bin. Add asbestos testing if pre-1990.
- Asbestos present: Licensed removal is mandatory and typically costs $50-80/m². This is not your scope unless you hold a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence. Quote it as a separate line item or an exclusion.
- Fire-rated construction: Board is 20-30% more expensive, every penetration needs fire-collar treatment, and joints may need specific taping systems. Check the fire engineer's specification.
- Wet areas: Moisture-resistant board is mandatory in bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens behind wet appliances. Board cost is 30-50% higher than standard. Waterproofing membrane is typically excluded from the plastering quote (applied by the waterproofer or tiler).
- Power availability: If the site has no power (early-stage new build), add for a generator or confirm the builder supplies site power. Mixers and sanders need it.
Licensing by state
| State | Regulator | Licence threshold | Key categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Fair Trading NSW | Work over $5,000 inc GST | Dry Plastering Work (wall and ceiling lining). Cert III CPC31420 or equivalent + 2 years supervised experience. |
| VIC | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) | Work over $16,000 in aggregate | Registered Building Practitioner (Limited): Sheet Plastering or Solid Plastering. Cert III + 3 years practical experience. |
| QLD | QBCC | Work over $3,300 inc GST | Plastering Drywall or Solid Plastering. Cert III + 2 years experience. Financial requirements apply. |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | All specialist work | Building Work Contractors Licence. Must hold or employ a licensed Building Supervisor. |
| WA | Building Services Board | Work over $20,000 | No specific plastering licence category. White Card mandatory. Painter and Decorator or Building registration covers larger work. |
| TAS | CBOS | All specialist work | Accredited Building Practitioner. Cert III + practical assessment. |
| ACT | Access Canberra | Work over $12,000 | Builder's licence (class C or D). Plastering-specific Cert III recommended. |
| NT | Building Practitioners Board | All building work | Registered Building Practitioner. Cert III + experience. Low threshold, straightforward application. |
Every state and territory requires a White Card (Construction Induction Training) for anyone working on a construction site. This is separate from your trade licence. Display your licence number on all quotes and marketing materials. Builders check it before they engage a subcontractor, and homeowners increasingly check it before accepting a quote.
Compliance and standards
- AS/NZS 2589:2017 (Gypsum linings: application and finishing) is the primary standard governing plasterboard installation and finish levels. It defines board fixing methods, jointing systems, and the Level 0-5 finish classification. Your work is assessed against this standard.
- AS/NZS 2588:2018 (Gypsum plasterboard) covers board manufacturing specifications. Relevant when specifying board types.
- AS 3740 (Waterproofing of domestic wet areas) applies to bathrooms, laundries, and other wet areas. You are responsible for using the correct moisture-resistant board. The waterproofing membrane is usually applied by someone else, but your board must be rated for the application.
- BCA / NCC Volume 2 (Residential construction) sets fire-resistance and sound-insulation requirements that dictate board type, thickness, and fixing methods in specific locations (party walls, garage walls, ceilings under upper-storey wet areas).
- Asbestos awareness: If working on buildings constructed before 1990, treat any existing sheeting, textured ceilings, or backing boards as potentially containing asbestos until tested. Do not disturb or remove suspect material without testing. Licensed asbestos removal is required for friable material or quantities exceeding 10m² of non-friable material in most states.
- Working at heights: Scaffold over 4m requires scaffolding erected by a licensed scaffolder with a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). Stilts are limited to ceiling work under 3.3m in most jurisdictions. Check your state's height-work regulations.
Worked example: 3-bedroom house, new build, Brisbane
A builder asks you to quote the full lining package for a single-storey, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in Brisbane. Standard 2.7m ceilings throughout. Framing complete, services rough-in done, insulation installed.
Measurements
- Standard walls (living, bedrooms, hallway, kitchen): 235m²
- Moisture-resistant walls (bathroom x2, laundry): 45m²
- Standard ceilings: 105m²
- Moisture-resistant ceilings (bathroom x2, laundry): 15m²
- Total board area: 400m²
- Cornice (standard cove): 95 linear metres
- External corner bead: 24 linear metres
- Access panels (ceiling, services): 2
Quote breakdown
| Line item | Quantity | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard plasterboard walls, supply + install, Level 3 finish | 235 m² | $32.00/m² | $7,520.00 |
| Moisture-resistant plasterboard walls, supply + install, Level 3 finish | 45 m² | $42.00/m² | $1,890.00 |
| Standard plasterboard ceilings, supply + install, Level 3 finish | 105 m² | $38.00/m² | $3,990.00 |
| Moisture-resistant plasterboard ceilings, supply + install, Level 3 finish | 15 m² | $45.00/m² | $675.00 |
| Standard cove cornice, supply + install | 95 lm | $12.00/lm | $1,140.00 |
| Corner bead, external corners | 24 lm | $8.00/lm | $192.00 |
| Access panels, ceiling (standard) | 2 | $85.00 each | $170.00 |
| Waste removal and site clean | 1 | $280.00 | $280.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $15,857.00 |
| GST (10%) | $1,585.70 |
| Total (inc GST) | $17,442.70 |
Verification
- Per-m² blended rate: $15,857 / 400m² = $39.64/m² ex GST (within the $25-50 range for a mixed standard + wet-area job).
- Daily revenue (estimated 9 working days, 2-person crew): $15,857 / 9 = $1,762/day.
- Arithmetic check: $7,520 + $1,890 + $3,990 + $675 + $1,140 + $192 + $170 + $280 = $15,857. GST: $15,857 x 0.10 = $1,585.70. Total: $15,857 + $1,585.70 = $17,442.70.
What this quote includes
- Supply of all plasterboard (standard and moisture-resistant), cornice, corner bead, joint compound, tape, screws, and adhesive
- Installation and fixing of all board to timber framing
- Set and stop all joints to Level 3 finish per AS/NZS 2589
- Cornice installation throughout
- Two ceiling access panels for services
- Waste removal from site at completion
What this quote excludes
- Painting
- Waterproofing membrane (wet areas)
- Any structural framing or noggin installation
- Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work
- Insulation supply or installation
- Building permits
- Upgrade to Level 4 or Level 5 finish (available on request at additional cost)
This quote is valid for 30 days. Variations caused by framing defects, missing noggins, or services not rough-in complete at the time of board fixing will be quoted separately at the same rates. Payment: 30% deposit, 40% on board fix completion, 30% on set and stop completion and final inspection.
Common quoting mistakes
- Quoting before the frame is ready. If services are not rough-in or insulation is missing, you will arrive to fix board and cannot start. Quote based on an inspection of the finished frame, or include a provisional sum for return visits.
- Forgetting to specify the finish level. A builder expects Level 3. The homeowner expects a mirror finish under downlights. If you do not write it in the quote, the dispute is yours to absorb.
- Underquoting wet areas. Moisture-resistant board costs 30-50% more than standard. A bathroom has many cuts (around shower niches, vanity, toilet), slower to board, and needs careful attention to board edges above the waterproofing line.
- Ignoring access costs. Carrying 4800mm sheets up narrow stairs or through tight doorways adds time and breakage. If the site requires scaffold for ceiling heights over 3m, that hire cost has to be in the quote.
- Not allowing for drying time. Three coats of joint compound with sanding need adequate drying between coats. In cold or humid conditions (Melbourne winter, Darwin wet season), drying time extends. If you price the job on a 5-day turnaround and it takes 7 because of weather, your daily revenue drops by 30%.
- Quoting lump sum without measurements. Guessing area leads to either underquoting (you absorb the difference) or overquoting (you lose to the plasterer who measured). Measure every time. Measure from the frame, not the plans, because openings and framing changes alter the board area.
- Failing to quote for strip-out separately. If the job involves removing existing linings, quote the demolition and waste removal as a separate line. Hidden conditions behind existing linings (water damage, termite damage, asbestos, non-standard framing) are variation triggers.
Presenting your quote
A plastering quote should arrive within 24 hours of the site inspection. The builder or homeowner has likely contacted two or three other plasterers. The one who quotes fast, quotes clear, and follows up gets the job.
- Line items, not lump sums. Break the quote into board (by type and area), cornice, trim, access panels, strip-out, and waste removal. The builder can compare you against the next quote line by line. The homeowner sees exactly what they are paying for.
- Include your licence number and insurance. Put your licence number, public liability policy number, and expiry date on the quote. Builders will check. Homeowners should check.
- State the finish level. "All joints finished to Level 3 per AS/NZS 2589" is one sentence that prevents a $2,000 rework dispute.
- State exclusions. Painting, waterproofing, structural framing, electrical, and permits are standard exclusions. List them. If something is ambiguous (who supplies the cornice? who fits the access panels?), make it explicit.
- Variation clause. "Variations caused by concealed damage, framing defects, or incomplete services will be quoted separately at the rates above." This protects your margin when you strip existing linings and find water damage behind them.
- Payment terms. For jobs over $5,000, a deposit-progress-completion structure is standard. 30/40/30 works for most lining jobs. For smaller jobs, 50% deposit and 50% on completion.
- Follow up. If you have not heard back in 48 hours, send a short message confirming the quote is still valid and asking if they have any questions. At one week, follow up once more. Most residential jobs are decided within 7-14 days of quoting.
Speed up your quoting
The fastest way to get a plastering quote into Xero is to speak it. FlowSpec lets you describe the job into your phone and creates a priced draft quote in Xero in about 30 seconds. Items, prices, and GST come from your own Xero catalogue. The data arrives structured and ready to send.
Instead of measuring the site, driving home, sitting at a laptop, and typing line items into a spreadsheet or Xero, you speak it while you are still on the scaffolding. The quote reaches the builder or homeowner the same day, which is often the difference between winning the job and losing it to the plasterer who quoted faster.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plasterers charge per square metre in Australia?
Plasterboard supply and installation typically costs $25-45/m² for standard walls and $30-50/m² for ceilings. Moisture-resistant board for wet areas costs $35-55/m². Solid render ranges from $30-50/m² for cement to $80-150/m² for Venetian plaster. Rates vary by city, job size, and access conditions.
What is the difference between Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 plasterboard finish?
Level 3 is the standard residential finish: joints taped and coated three times, sanded smooth, suitable for matte and low-sheen paint. Level 4 adds a skim coat over all joints and fasteners, needed for semi-gloss or gloss paint and areas with side-lighting. Level 5 is a full skim coat over the entire board surface, required for high-gloss finishes or raking light conditions. Each step up adds $3-8/m².
How much does it cost to plaster a 3-bedroom house?
A full 3-bedroom house lining job (walls, ceilings, cornice, standard + wet-area boards) typically costs $14,000-$20,000 including GST for a standard new build. Costs increase for higher ceilings, raked ceilings, fire-rated requirements, or premium finish levels.
Do plasterers need a licence in Australia?
Licensing varies by state. NSW requires a licence for residential work over $5,000 (inc GST). QLD's QBCC threshold is $3,300. VIC requires registration for work over $16,000 in aggregate. SA, TAS, and NT require licences for all specialist work. WA requires registration for work over $20,000. All states require a Certificate III as a baseline qualification.
How much does cornice installation cost per metre?
Standard cove cornice costs $8-15 per linear metre (supply + install). Decorative colonial profiles cost $15-25/lm. Ornate Victorian or heritage profiles cost $25-60+/lm. Heritage restoration work matching original moulds can exceed $100/lm.
How do I quote for stripping existing plasterboard?
Strip-out of existing plasterboard typically costs $8-15/m² for standard board and $15-25/m² for solid plaster. Add $250-400 for a small skip bin. If the building was constructed before 1990, include asbestos testing ($30-60 per sample) before stripping. Licensed asbestos removal, if needed, costs $50-80/m².
What waste percentage should I allow?
Allow 10% waste on standard rectangular rooms, 12-15% for rooms with many penetrations or raked ceilings, and 15-20% for curved walls. For cornice, allow 5-8% on straight runs and 10-12% on rooms with many corners.
Should I include materials or quote labour only?
Most residential work is quoted supply and install. Builder-managed projects sometimes supply the board for you to install at a labour-only rate ($15-25/m² for walls). If you supply materials, apply a 15-25% markup on trade cost to cover ordering, delivery, storage, and waste risk. On builder-supply jobs, clarify in writing that you are not responsible for board shortages or damage.
Related guides
- How to Quote Painting Jobs (painters often follow your finish)
- How to Quote Tiling Jobs (wet-area overlap)
- How to Quote Carpentry Jobs (framing before lining)
- How to Quote Electrical Jobs (rough-in before board)
- Quoting Software for Tradies
- Plasterer Quoting Software