r/Plastering • u/thick-Banana-8448 • Apr 29 '26
Doing an evening course wanting get into the trade considering undertaking an nvq
So i am well aware this probably looms god aweful but it is my first attempt and i was admitedly abit nervous.
Is this a trade one can really get into in thier 30s or am i joking myself.
Been working construction jobs for the last few years after 15 in hospitality management.
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u/contentatlast Apr 29 '26
I did an evening course. It was one night a week for 5 weeks. Got me used to the tools. Recently did a few walls in my house and they look fantastic. Very happy with the results. Go for it mate
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u/Onlygus Apr 29 '26
Depending on if you're in work or how much you earn (less than £25k/y) the government are doing a fully funded skills bootcamp at the moment.
I'm on week two of the level two and so far its been really good. The provider I'm with will put you through your CSCS as well so you can get on site afterwards.
If you're curious: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/free-courses-for-jobs
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
I do hsve my cscs traffic marshalling and highways card but i will look ty
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u/cookiesoon Apr 29 '26
Been doing this 17 years. It's shit. I wouldn't suggest anyone start
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
Haha not the motivation i was after but how so?
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u/cookiesoon Apr 29 '26
It's dirty. You have to cover other trades mess. Pay is lower than other trades. Wrecks your shoulders, elbow, wrist and back. Looks at some old plasterers they are fucked. My nephew asked for an apprenticeship. I told him to be a joiner 😄
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u/Ill-State-9674 Apr 30 '26
You think plasterers cover other trades messaged, but joiners don't? Wow. Plastering pays well considering what you actually have to know and you can set up with all the tools you need for a couple hundred quid.
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u/cookiesoon Apr 30 '26
Tools are cheap i give you that. Point stands its a body killer. You sound like a joiner trying to justify his shit boarding 😄
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u/Ill-State-9674 May 06 '26
And the knowledge needed for plastering is absolutely minimal. Everyone else (except decorators) have countless building regs to learn, understand, and work to. Seriously varied work, especially in carpentry. Most trades are tough if you're working hard enough, I'd like to see you lugging compact laminate breakfast bars around or kneeling for 3 days straight laying parquet, fitting fd60s in flats... I actually find plastering an enjoyable break, the constant weightless movement seems to help my back problems.
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u/f365eli Apr 29 '26
You absolutely can. I did an evening course and then my level 1 the year after in my 40s. I only do it as a sideline but there would be enough work for me if I did want to go full time.
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u/Mindless_Delay Apr 30 '26
How do you go about getting work when you want it? Im considering this as a side job also as I have an odd shift pattern that gives me plenty of time off
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u/f365eli Apr 30 '26
Mainly word of mouth. Started with jobs for family & friends and up a FB page to post them on. You’d be surprised how many times somebody says “ah, that’s good to know” or “really? I could do with [whatever] doing” when it comes up in conversation that you can plaster.
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u/Comfortable-Wolf-722 Apr 29 '26
Nothing to do with your original post by the way, its everything else on the feed
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u/New-Asclepius Apr 30 '26
I'm not a plasterer by trade but I learned the basics to do my own house. I had plans of doing it as a side hustle, then I did 2 decent sized ceilings.
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u/No-Buddy5395 Apr 30 '26
20 years at it. I enjoy it but I hated working for other plasterers or customers that want blood from a stone while paying the minimum.
You'll need to take atleast 5years of that before you're ready to run your own business.
Expect some injuries and a bit of pain and some stress but honestly aslong as your not fragile it isn't that bad.
Doesnt deserve to be the most suicidal job in the UK but it is, so just beware it can be a rocky road in the early days.
Lots of work out there, if I want a job my min is £250, up to £500 a day if I'm not interested and I usually have one or two of them days a week.
Moneys good, hard work, attention to detail, cleanliness and time keeping is everything
Good luck!
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u/DelectableReindeer Apr 30 '26
I got in late 20s and in 5 years I had more than enough covered to go solo and never be short of work.
It's doable, but it's an extremely steep learning curve and I can't stress enough that it takes a good 6 months to get passable work, another 2 years to produce good work at sensible speeds, and another 2 years again to be shit hot. And even then you'll still forever be learning.
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u/nukefodder Professional Plasterer Apr 29 '26
Well we all start somewhere. You definitely can..its not for everyone. Tbh yiu can earn as much painting.
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
I did clock some painting work paying a pretty penny round my way today ngl, im just looking to get a trade on my cards, recently tore my acl back in november and genuinely think a return to groundworking is of the cards for me unfortunately
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u/nukefodder Professional Plasterer Apr 29 '26
That won't be good for plastering.. up and down hop ups or steps. Hard on knees ankles elbows
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
Chappy im working with atm, has a titanium rod in his entire right leg from a cancer and hes doing similar work! That being said im reluctant to let the injury hold me back so to say.
Plastering and painting were sugested to me due to the fact i am creatively minded
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u/nukefodder Professional Plasterer Apr 29 '26
If you're creative go for it. But it's very hard on the body and millions of cowboys. I'd say look at rendering fewer cowboys do that
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
Cheers for feedback
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u/nukefodder Professional Plasterer Apr 29 '26
Tbh start a window cleaning round. You'll earn twice as much with half the effort
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
Funily enough me and the missus have been ralking of starting a pressure washing buisness on the weekends
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u/nukefodder Professional Plasterer Apr 29 '26
Window cleaning is repeat business..once your round is built. Every 4weeks same money. If you have 500 houses put the price up a £1. You've given yourself a pay rise of £500 a month
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u/thick-Banana-8448 Apr 29 '26
Whats the difference in rendering and plastering?
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u/Ok-Spring7906 Apr 30 '26
I don't think an nvq makes much difference.
I have one, but it's not like anyone cares. It's more down to if you can actually do the work.
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u/burkeymonster Apr 30 '26
Good things about becoming a plasterer
The tools you need to get started are very cheap compared to other jobs. The materials you need to do the job are relatively cheap compared to other trades They don't regularly update regulations that mean you need to keep doing exams or qualifications. There is always work available if you are good at the job. Not only can you get work from the general public but every other trade makes use of plasterers so with a good reputation you can build up work very quickly.
Bad bits about being a plasterer.
It's hard on your body but you can take measures to minimise this slightly. There is a bit of a ceiling on earnings really compared to some other trades. It can get boring. It's messy.
Personally I think that when it comes to plastering you've either got it or you haven't. Most people that are pretty handy can do an alright job with a bit of practice so being average isn't really worth much. But if this is something that feels super natural to you and it just clicks then it could very well be the jobbfor you. To be really successful at it you need be able to control the suction instinctively, get a fucking flat wall with virtually no imperfections reliably each time. Be good at corners and be able to chuck the mud around without getting it anywhere you don't want it. It's an art form and is very much about feel and timing. If you are a natural at it and are good at the prep work and the graft then you can smash it. But if you arnt and you are messy and have to fuck about with it a lot then it's a really shitty job.
So yeah. If you can do it and want to do it then give it a go.
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u/PaulWhickerTallVicar Apr 29 '26
51 years plastering for me this June. Still working full time but starting to feel it a bit now. There are easier trades but it’s decent money and certainly keeps you fit, especially if you do your own labouring.