How Much Does Ceiling Installation Cost?

If you want to have a ceiling installed, the average labour cost for a simple ceiling stands at around $50 per hour. For ceilings with ornate or complicated designs, ceiling installers costs can be around $70 per hour or may go higher.

Overall, the cost of installing a ceiling stands at around $1,600 (includes the cost of tiles) for an average-sized room measuring around 3m x 4m. Here’s a quick look at the average ceiling installation costs per project in select cities:

• Sydney $400 – $2,300
• Melbourne $650 – $3,000
• Brisbane $500 – $2,000
• Perth $700 – $1,800
• Adelaide $650 – $2,200

What are the Types of Ceiling?

Before you get in touch with an expert ceiling installer, you need to decide on what kind of ceiling you want for your home. There are several types of ceilings that you can choose from including:

• Suspended Ceilings – a type of ceiling that hangs from wires and comes in a wide range of styles. Suspended ceilings are inexpensive and easy to install. At the low end, suspended ceiling prices per square metre average between $30 to $40. High-end suspended ceiling prices per square metre may cost between $40 to $60.
• Coffered Ceilings – a type of ceiling with exposed beams and cross beams. The coffered ceiling installation cost averages between $2,500 to $4,000 per project.
• Cathedral Ceilings – high ceilings that make rooms look more spacious. Depending on how steep the vault is, a cathedral ceiling costs between $18,000 to $25,000 per project.
• Shed Ceilings – these are ceilings that slant upwards at one end.
• Tray ceiling – a rectangular ceiling recessed into the main ceiling typically found in entertainment rooms. For tray ceilings, the cost of ceiling installation is between $1,600 to $3,200 per project.

How Much is the Cost to Gyprock a Ceiling?

Gyprock is a company that produces wall and ceiling materials and is popular plasterboard used as wall linings or partitions. Gyprock price per square metre is around $8 to $12 per plasterboard.

Drywall ceilings are popular because they are affordable and easy to install. They are environment-friendly because plasterboards are 100% recyclable. Plasterboards are excellent for vaulted ceilings because they are flexible and can easily conform to the shape of curved ceilings.

The Australian Taxation Office states that the average cost of Gyprock installation should be between $8 to $16 per square metre for labour only while the Gyprock installation price including labour and materials is between $15 and $20 per square metre. However, the cost of installation and materials can reach as high as $40 per square metre depending on other factors.

How Much is the Cost to Install a Drop Ceiling?

Drop ceiling installation can cost anywhere between $30 and $60 per square metre. Suspended ceiling systems prices can go up depending on several factors such as type grid and tiles that you want to use.

Aside from the low suspended ceiling cost per m2 in Australia, this type of ceiling popular is practical to use. When a drop ceiling gets damaged, you can repair or replace it without having to tear down your main ceiling.

There are several choices when it comes to suspended ceiling materials. The installation process is the same for each type but the prices differ and will depend on your local supplier.

These are:

• Decorative White
• Textured Look
• Smooth Look
• Coffered Look
• Metal

How Much is the Cost to Insulate a Ceiling?

Insulating your ceiling is an excellent way to save on utilities because an insulated ceiling will help keep a room warm during the winter and cool during the summer. Insulating your ceiling is also an excellent way to help conserve energy and combat global warming because your home will be consuming less electricity with a room that has the optimum temperature.

If you want to insulate your ceiling, the insulation costs between $8 to $16 per square metre. This can change depending on the R-Value and the type of insulation that you plan to use.

What affects the Cost of Ceiling Installation?

Several factors affect ceiling installation costs and it will be a great idea to discuss these factors with your chosen tradie so you can better understand the quote they will give you.

Size of Room

The size of the room where you want to get a ceiling installed affects the overall ceiling cost because a large room will use more materials and will take longer to complete. If you are working on a specific budget, it will be best to discuss with your tradie your options if you want to bring down the overall cost of your ceiling installation.

For example, the cost to Gyprock a ceiling might be expensive because of the high plasterboard price per m2 and your tradie might be able to discuss to you the low cost of plastering a ceiling as a cost-effective alternative.

Type of Ceiling

The type of ceiling that you want to install influences the ceiling installation cost because some ceiling types require more skill to install compared to others. For example, it is easier to install a drop ceiling compared to a tray ceiling that requires more work to complete. With a drop ceiling, the tradie just needs to install the ceiling panel or drop ceiling tiles while a tray ceiling requires a tradie to work on the ceiling grid as well.

Materials

The type of material that you want also greatly influences ceiling installation cost because some materials are more expensive than others. If you want to have a coffered ceiling or a vaulted ceiling, expect to pay more because the materials for these types of ceilings cost more.

Complexity

Installing a ceiling often involves other tasks that your ceiling installer needs to deal with that cause ceiling installation costs to go up. A straightforward ceiling installation or a new ceiling will cost less because it is easy to complete compared to one where the installer needs to remove a damaged or old ceiling.

If the installer needs to remove an old plaster ceiling, a ceiling with water damage or a sagging ceiling, expect to pay the installer more. An installer will also charge more if he needs to work on a room where wall angles complicate the job.

How to Find the Best Ceiling Installer?

Finding an expert ceiling installer is not complicated, just use HIREtrades to receive free quotes from the best local ceiling installers. You can also post a job at HIREtrades if you have an existing ceiling and want to know about sagging ceiling repair costs or how much a water damaged ceiling costs to repair.

After receiving up to three free quotes, you can interview the tradie to find out more about their professional experience and previous work. You can also ask them if they know local suppliers who can supply you with high quality yet affordable materials to make your new ceiling an affordable yet durable addition to your home.