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From 1,000 to $30,000 and more you can expect to ceiling an entire house including two rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a hall. The more complex designs and expensive materials you choose, your total cost will be near $20,000 to $30,000.
Changing your ceiling can make just as big of an aesthetic and functional difference when it comes to refreshing a home or renovating a space. Some factors can affect the cost of new ceiling installation, such as material type, complexity and design execution. You may want to ponder over traditional plasterboard, or you prefer contemporary suspended ceilings perhaps even look at the new acoustic possibilities but all have costs involved and just going in blind into your ceiling project might not serve any purpose. So in this, we bust different types of ceilings you can have for your home, give an idea of how much they cost and more things that could also impact costs. This will help you plan a ceiling and give your space an authentic & functional update, all done within budget.
The cost of installing a new ceiling ranges from $800 to $2,300 but can also vary depending on the size of the ceiling. The cost of ceiling tiles can range from $45 to $65 per case. The ceiling includes two parts that are tiles and a grid. On average the ceiling price for a 10'x12' room is around $1,600.
Name of the city | Average cost |
| Sydney | $400 to $2,300 |
| Adelaide | $650 to $2,200 |
| Perth | $700 to $1,800 |
| Brisbane | $500 to $2,000 |
| Melbourne | $650 to $3,000 |
The overall cost can be affected by many things when you think about a new ceiling installation.
Plasterboard (Gyprock): This is the most common due to its cost-effectiveness and it averages $30-$60 per square meter installed. With premium packages and finishes, this price can jump even higher.
Suspended (Drop) Ceilings: Used highly in commercial settings and also very common with domestic projects, suspended ceilings generally cost $50-$80 per square meter depending on the type of tiles used along with a metal framing or suspension system.
Metal Ceilings: Modern and robust, metal ceilings can cost between $70 and $120 per square meter with aluminium or steel being the most common materials used.
Timber Ceilings: A warm, natural look for your porch that could cost $100-$200 per square meter (Overall price based on wood type & finish).
Acoustic Ceilings: Acoustically designed ceilings that cut back noise begin from $60 through to just under $100 per square meter, but vary based on supplies and designs.
Standard flat ceilings: Basic ceiling treatments don't have to mean a lack of style.
Custom or Decorative Ceilings: Intricate designs such as coffered, vaults will cost more in both materials and labour costs.
Area of the Site: Costlier for the larger area.
Pricing: Most quotes are made on the square meter of ceiling.
Room Layout: The more complex the shape or obstructions per room equates to additional man hours and materials consumption which influences the cost.
4. Labour and Installation:
Professional installation: A quality job will result through the use of a professional to properly install ceilings and make sure everything is up to code. In Australia, labour costs tend to be $30–$60 per hour depending on the scope of work and regional rates.
DIY vs. Professional: Doing it yourself can save money but likely with a higher skill requirement and possible cost to fix mistakes.
Geographic Location: The costs can depend on where you are in Australia because the metro areas may cost more than rural regions.
Accessibility: Areas that are hard to reach or high up in the air may require extra equipment and may increase cost.
Current Ceiling: If you have to pull out the old ceiling, then additional prices must be paid for dismantling and carrying it away. This can vary from $20-$50 per square meter depending on the removal difficulty.
Conventional: A standard ceiling can start at about $2,000. The cost, however, you will be spending varies in terms of the room size from $600 up to about $3,000.
Coffered: Coffer ceilings cost $2,500 to $4,000 for installation. This works perfectly for homeowners who desire a very detailed ceiling.
Suspended: Falls ceilings cost $1,500 for every ceiling including $30-55 per container for tiles.
False: Apart from adding depth to rooms, false ceilings look premium due to lights drilled into the ceiling. However, if you get the false ceiling costs an average of $100 to $200 per square meter.
Drop: The cost of drop ceiling installation is $25 to $65 per square foot. These are commonly found in rooms where you have large ducts and HVAC piping.
Popcorn: Popcorn ceilings average $10 to $25 per square meter. Popcorn ceilings are hazardous and were last used in any significant way because of the potential for asbestos. Well on average, cost somewhere around $30 to $55 per barrage of asbestos ceiling removal.
Raked: As with the Pavillion background, raked ceilings look better but are more expensive to build than a flat ceiling and follow the line of your roof. The cost for a raked ceiling is $16,000 to $25,000.
Vaulted: Vaulting the ceiling costs $16,000 to $28,000 since it increases room height and can raise property value.
Sagging Ceiling: The cost of repairing a sagging ceiling ranges between $600 (minor repairs) and $2,000 to +$5,000 for big projects. The cost is largely dependent on the complexity of the task and what lengths are needed to properly accommodate your ceiling.
Water-Damaged Ceiling: The average cost of water-damaged ceiling repair is $1,200 to $2,500 for the materials and labour.
Ceiling Removal: For removing asbestos, the average cost is just under $900 for a 15-by-20-foot room. On average, it is $1,500 for a 1600-square-foot home.
Ceiling Replacement: If you have to replace an entire ceiling, the price can be anywhere from $800-$3,500. Pricing is based on the existing ceiling, size and type of materials to install.
The cost of ceiling insulation ranges between $1,200 – $2,200. This price could vary a little depending on size, type and accessibility among other things.
The cost to paint the ceiling ranges between $130 - $320 on average. The size of the ceiling and paint used determine this. A higher price may be applicable if an existing ceiling is of a darker colour tone and requires multiple layers of new paint.
Knowing how much it costs to install a new ceiling is about more than just what the materials cost. It will help you create your budget and make an educated decision by considering things like the material of the ceiling, how high-tech it is (design), room size, and labour costs. For example, while plasterboard can be quite affordable and timber exudes a premium cosmetic finish, suspended or acoustic ceilings offer their benefits at different cost points.
Remind yourself to account for the cost of taking down an old ceiling, other incidentals and meeting local building codes. With a proper assessment of these factors during the planning phase, you eliminate the potential for surprises in your budget and ensure that what is finally installed into place comes close to the desired aesthetics.
The rest of the cost components also influence ceiling installation costs, with those in mind you now know how to calculate ceiling costs and can work towards a successful new construction or renovation that ends up being as satisfying as possible. Regardless of whether you are renovating a single room or an entire home, choosing the best ceiling for your needs will provide both practical and enduring benefits.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.
The average cost of installing a new plasterboard ceiling is between $30 and $60 per square meter (labour only). The final cost depends on the quality of the plasterboard and other finishes and features.
Suspended ceilings are relatively expensive, ranging from $50 to $80 per square meter. This is the price range and it could vary per ceiling tile type, as well as the complexity of a framing system used.
A timber ceiling usually costs around $100-$200 a square meter, depending on the type of wood that you use and how ornate your finish is. Any added wood quality, curing and even designed results will impact performance.
The cost for removal of the old ceiling is $20-$50 per square meter. The price will vary based on the type of ceiling you have removed and how difficult it is to remove.
Ceiling design complexity also plays a role in the cost. Flat ceilings, except when you have a vaulted or coffered ceiling, demand more time and money to complete.
Depending on where you live will have an impact — certain metropolitan areas tend to be pricier than rural locales. In addition, the ease of accessibility to install it (i.e. high ceilings or hard-to-reach spots) will increase labour pricing as well render special equipment more like a necessity and ultimately directly influence the total cost.
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