Cost of Plastering Services
across the UK

# Plastering Services: Trade Body Accreditation

Plastering services in the UK are governed by several recognised trade bodies and regulatory schemes that set standards for competence and quality. The most relevant include the Federation of Plasterers (FP), which represents specialist plasterers and sets professional standards, and the National Federation of Plasterers (NFP), which also provides training and certification pathways. Many plasterers hold qualifications through City & Guilds or the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), demonstrating they have completed formal apprenticeships or training in their field. Additionally, some plasterers may be registered with schemes like the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), which requires evidence of competence and health and safety knowledge. Membership of these bodies typically signals that a tradesperson has met recognised standards, maintains professional conduct, and commits to ongoing development in their craft.

To verify a plasterer's accreditation, you should ask for evidence of membership with relevant trade bodies, request their certificate numbers, and check directly on the Federation or CITB websites where many maintain public registers. It's worth asking whether they hold public liability insurance, which is standard practice and protects you if something goes wrong. You can also request references from previous clients and ask to see examples of their work, particularly if the job is substantial. This verification matters because accreditation gives you recourse if something goes wrong—trade body members are typically bound by codes of conduct and may offer dispute resolution services. An unaccredited plasterer might be perfectly competent, but you have fewer consumer protections and less assurance that they meet consistent industry standards.

Accredited plasterers generally charge between 10 and 25 percent more than non-accredited alternatives, depending on their specific qualifications and experience. This premium reflects the investment they've made in formal training, insurance, and membership fees, as well as their compliance