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Plaster is a beautiful finish but is labor-intensive to install and remove. It’s vulnerable to cracking and more sensitive to moisture variance than drywall. Installing plaster on a new wall is an expensive process that can take days to weeks, depending on the scope. Removing a plaster wall can also be quite expensive and time-consuming.

Applying plaster to a wall will usually cost between $2 and $10 per square foot for both the material and labor. The cost will vary based on the quality of the plaster you’re using and whether or not prep work is required before the work begins. Wall prep can add up to about 10% to your total costs. Plastering exterior walls can be more expensive in many cases because they are taller and require scaffolding and safety equipment.

The tool you use to sand plaster will depend on the size of the project. If you’re just working on a small section of your wall to get rid of an uneven spot on the surface, hand-sanding might work. However, for larger projects, a drywall sander can make a huge difference when it comes to both time and elbow grease—and an orbital sander can help for detailed areas such as around ceiling fans.

Yes, you can use drywall repair techniques for some types of plaster damage. Tiny holes and small cracks in plaster can be patched in similar ways to drywall. You apply the necessary compound to fill the hole, wait for it to dry, then sand it down. For larger damage, like water damage or mold, you need to use plaster-specific techniques and materials.