Ceiling Panelling Cost

Wondering how much ceiling panelling costs?

Typically, the cost of ceiling panelling is around £150 per m². Oak ceiling panelling has higher costs of £300 to £400 per m² due to the quality of the material.

In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about ceiling panelling, including the supply costs, labour costs, and any additional costs involved with this type of work.

We will also look at what's involved with installing ceiling panelling, the different types of ceiling panelling, and some tips on finding the right contractors to install ceiling panelling for you.

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Prefer to learn more about ceiling prices first? Keep reading!

How Much Does Installing Ceiling Panelling Cost?

So, how much does a panelled ceiling cost?

Ceiling panelling can range in price depending on the quality of the finish. Budget ceiling panelling can be purchased cheaply at around £12 to £50 per m², while mid-range ceiling panels cost around £30 to £100 per m².

At the other end of the scale, high-quality ceiling panels cost around £100 to £300 per m².

The total cost of a ceiling panel installation will depend on the total area being covered. The larger your ceiling, the more you can expect to pay in material costs. Larger areas will also take longer to complete, so the labour costs will be higher for larger jobs.

The price will also be affected by the quality of the materials and your location in the UK.

Ceiling Panelling Prices

The table below shows the average cost of installing various types of ceiling panelling:

Supply Only Costs

The installation of ceiling panels can be done in many ways. They are usually either screwed or stapled into place. You may also choose to use an adhesive to fit the ceiling panels in place. Many ceiling panel fitters use both adhesive and staples to fit the boards.

If you plan on installing the ceiling boards, you may be interested in learning how much the materials cost. In this section, we will go over the prices for materials for this type of job.

Ceiling panels may be installed directly onto plaster, artexed, or lath and plaster ceiling, as long as it is in good condition, even, and artex is asbestos free.

If the room is a new addition or if it has been newly constructed, the cladding can be added over the plasterboard, which prevents the need to plaster. Plasterboard installation will cost around £7 to £20 per m².

The average cost of the ceiling panels themselves is around £30 to £50 per m². You will also need staples, which cost around £5 to £20.

A tape measure costs around £2 to £6, adhesive costs around £1 to £5, and plasterboard fixings cost around £4 to £8.

Depending on how you’re fixing the ceiling boards, you may need some additional items. Below is a table showing the average cost for various supplies for this type of work:

Additional Ceiling Panel Installation Costs

You may need to consider several additional costs when installing ceiling panelling. Below is a list of the additional things that you may need to budget for with this type of work:

Plastering

If the your ceiling is uneven, you may need to plaster before adding any panelling. The cost to plaster a ceiling will depend on the size.

However, you can expect to pay anywhere from £240 to £1,050 for this type of work.

Installing Coving

To give your room a neat finish, you can add in coving to create a seamless join between your walls and ceiling. Coving costs £340 on average, with bespoke coving costing between £400 to £800 in supply costs only.

New Light Fittings

Once your interior cladding panels have been installed, you may then be interested in adding a new light fitting. Light fittings can vary in cost, depending on the style and quality of the light fitting you choose.

The average cost of installing new light fittings in a room is around £80 to £200.

Asbestos Artex Removal

Older ceilings and old textured coatings, such as Artex, sometimes contain asbestos. If there’s any doubt, it needs to be tested first. If asbestos is found, it has to be removed or made safe by someone qualified, and the cost of asbestos Artex removal will be an extra on top of the ceiling panelling itself.

Labour Costs and Timescales

If you are planning on buying the materials for the job separately and then hiring a contractor at a later date, then you may be interested in learning about the price that you can expect to pay for the labour side of the job alone. You may also be curious to learn about the timescales that you can expect with this type of work.

You can expect a plasterer to charge around £150 to £200 per day, and a labourer will charge around £80 to £100 per day. In most cases, if the job is quite straightforward and no issues arise, your ceiling panelling installation will take no more than a day to complete.

You may be able to save yourself some money on the labour costs by completing part of the work yourself. If you need to remove your old ceiling, you could do this yourself to avoid paying additional labour fees for this part of the work.

Factors That Impact Ceiling Panel Installation Costs

Several things may affect the overall cost of installing ceiling panelling. Below is a list of the things that may affect the cost of this job:

Type of Ceiling Panelling

As we have mentioned earlier, there are many different types of ceiling panels, and they all come at varying costs. If you choose budget ceiling panels, the overall cost of the job will be much cheaper. However, if you choose bespoke, high-end ceiling panels, you can expect the overall cost of the job to be quite a bit more.

Location of Property

The location of your property will affect the overall cost of installing ceiling panelling. Those in the London area can expect to pay more for the labour side of the job than those in the north or different parts of the UK. This is because the labour costs in this area tend to be higher across the board than in other parts of the UK.

Number of Tradespeople

The number of tradespeople working on the job will also affect the cost. More people may be required depending on the size and type of panels that you choose. The more tradespeople needed for the job, the higher the overall price is likely for the work.

What's Involved in Installing Ceiling Panelling?

Most homeowners prefer to leave this type of work up to the professionals. This ensures that the job is done correctly and that every aspect of the installation is safe, meaning you won't have to worry.

You can get quotes from multiple local ceiling panel fitters with MyJobQuote, which are fast, free, with no-obligation to go ahead.

Depending on the type of ceiling panels that are being installed, the method for installing them may vary. However, most of the elements will be the same. Below is a step-by-step guide on installing ceiling PVC panels with start-finish trim.

Before the Job Starts

• Ceiling is Measured — The fitter will measure the ceiling and then cut the back section of the two-part start-finish trim to length.
• Panels are Marked — They’ll measure the ceiling length as accurately as possible and transfer these measurements onto the panels with a pencil before cutting them to size.

During the Job

• Trim is Fixed — The installer fixes this back section to the perimeter of the ceiling with screws at a spacing of approximately 300mm apart.
• Panels are Cut — Panels are cut with a hand saw or table saw.
• Panels Fixed — Once the panels have been cut, adhesive is applied to the back and the panel is secured in place on the ceiling with screws at around 300mm intervals along the tongue section.
• Panels Repeated — This process is repeated for every panel, locking each of them into place with the next using the tongue and groove edges.

After the Job

• Perimeter is Measured — The tradesperson re-measures the perimeter and then cuts and mitres the outer part of the start-finish trim.
• Outer Trim Fitted — The outer trim is clicked firmly into place.
• Edges Finished — The ceiling board installation is now complete. A layer of white silicone can be added around the edges of the trim to remove any small gaps if the walls are uneven.

Types of Ceiling Panelling

There are several different types of ceiling panelling to choose from. Below, we take a look at some of the most common ceiling panelling materials and the pros and cons of each type:

Polystyrene Ceiling Panelling

Polystyrene ceiling panels are the most common type of material for this type of work. They are available in a range of styles and thicknesses and tend to be lightweight and inexpensive. You can choose different effects such as moulded, smooth, plaster, woven, or more.

White is usually the most common option. However, you can also find various other colours, including faux wood effects. Alternatively, these ceiling panels can be painted in a colour of your choice.

Pros

• ✔ Low in cost
• ✔ Lightweight
• ✔ Easy to install
• ✔ Various styles to choose from
• ✔ Can be painted

Cons

• ✖ Not as attractive as some other materials
• ✖ They are flammable

PVC Ceiling Panelling

PVC is a material with many benefits. It can be used to create beautiful ceiling panels that are lightweight, resistant to moisture, rot-proof, and resistant to mould and fungi. With this in mind, PVC ceiling panels are great for kitchens and bathrooms. This material is also easy to maintain and comes in a range of colours and styles.

Pros

• ✔ Lightweight
• ✔ Water-resistant
• ✔ Rot-proof
• ✔ Resistant to mould and fungi
• ✔ Great for kitchens and bathrooms
• ✔ Easy to maintain
• ✔ Comes in a range of colours and styles

Cons

• ✖ Can warp over time if exposed to heat
• ✖ Not the most attractive option

Plaster Ceiling Panelling

These ceiling panels are mostly chosen due to their aesthetic and can be made from either plaster or plasterboard. They are easy to install, lightweight, and a lot of them can be cut very easily using just a knife and a straight edge.

Depending on the brand, some plaster ceiling tiles are moisture-resistant and can provide soundproofing qualities.

Pros

• ✔ Can provide soundproofing qualities
• ✔ Easy to install
• ✔ Lightweight
• ✔ Some brands are water-resistant

Cons

• ✖ They can be quite flimsy

Wood Ceiling Panelling

Wood ceiling panels are known for their style and charm. Most models are made from chipboard or MDF with a wood veneer. These panels come in a range of colours and can be made to look like all different types of wood species.

They also come in a range of finishes, including matt, natural, or satin. These panels can be treated to resist water and come in various classes regarding their resistance to fire.

Pros

• ✔ Charming and stylish
• ✔ Come in a range of colours and styles
• ✔ A range of finishes to choose from
• ✔ They can be treated to resist water

Cons

• ✖ They are mostly not very resistant to fire
• ✖ They are not resistant to water unless treated
• ✖ They are more difficult to install

Checklist: Hiring Ceiling Panel Installers

There are many things you may need to consider before hiring a contractor to install ceiling panelling for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when finding the right contractor for the job:

• Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to see feedback from other homeowners who have hired them.
• Do they offer a guarantee? Ask if your ceiling panel fitter offers a guarantee on their work, what is covered, and for how long.
• Have you got a detailed quote? Ask for a breakdown of the costs so that you are aware of what's included.
• Do they have experience? Make sure they are experienced in ceiling panelling and can show you examples of previous work.
• Is waste removal included? Check if waste removal is included in the job, or if this is an extra cost.
• Do they have insurance? Look for public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance if they bring someone with them.

FAQs