How Much Does It Cost to Apply Venetian Plaster? [2026 Data]

Venetian plaster is a textural finish that can be applied to painted walls to elevate your home’s aesthetic. Applying Venetian plaster costs $700 on average, but it ranges from $400 to $1,000. 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.

Venetian Plaster Application Cost Factors 

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.

Cost per Square Foot Size

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.

Materials

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.”

Labor

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. 

Venetian Plaster Style

Your Venetian plaster price will depend on the style and whether it’s undyed or colored.

Undyed Venetian Plaster

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.  

Colored Venetian Plaster 

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.

Surface Prep or Repairs

Your costs will increase if your contractor has to take extra steps to prepare the surface for plaster application. For example, damaged walls and uneven surfaces require additional materials and time to repair. Ask your pro if they work these details into the overall project cost or if they charge an hourly rate. 

Why You Should Hire a Plaster Repair Pro

A plaster repair pro near you will charge between $20 and $100 per hour or between $2 and $20 per square foot to install Venetian plaster. The technique for applying this wall finish requires extensive experience, so it makes sense to hire someone with the right expertise, tools, and materials to do the job well. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a plaster pro

Here’s why you should hire a plaster repair pro to install Venetian plaster: 

• Plaster pros have the experience to apply Venetian plaster correctly and know how to achieve the desired look.

• They can address issues with the underlying wall and handle necessary repairs. 

• This is a time-consuming project, and hiring a pro will free up your time for other tasks. 

• Experts have the right tools for the job, saving you from buying a bunch of tools you may only use a handful of times.

If you want to DIY Venetian plaster

Applying Venetian plaster to a wall is a job for a pro, but if you want to get involved, you can do some smaller tasks:

• Removing furniture, pictures, and anything on the walls before the pro arrives

• Clearing a path for them to carry their supplies into the room

• Handling small wall repairs 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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