Give your ceiling a new lease of life and hide ducts, wiring, and pipes with our false and suspended ceiling cost guide. It contains accurate, up-to-date costings and useful information for someone looking to install a suspended ceiling.
Average Suspended Ceiling Cost
Prices below included VAT.
| Ranges | Supply & Fit – 40 m² area |
|---|---|
| National Average | £31 / m² |
| Typical Range | £25 – £40 / m² |
| Low End – High End | £18 – £68 / m² |
These prices would include quality ceiling tiles and grid, a leveled installation rubbish cleared from the site.
In larger areas, the typical range of prices can reduce to about £20 – £25 / m².
Prices of Different Types of Suspended Ceilings
Budget Suspended Ceiling Cost
For areas ranging from 30/m² to 50/m², a budget suspended ceiling with ceiling tiles typically costs around £20 to £30/m².
Mid-Range Ceiling Cost
A mid-range suspended ceiling with ceiling tiles in an area of 30m2 to 50m2 averages £25 to £35/m².
High-Performance Ceiling Cost
For a high-performance suspended ceiling with ceiling tiles in an area of 30m² to 50m², the cost is around £35 to £45/m².
MF Plasterboard Ceiling Cost
Installing plasterboard ceilings in an area of 30m2 to 50m² generally costs approximately £30 to £40/m². In larger areas, the cost reduces to about £25 to £30/m². Keep in mind that plastering and painting are also required.
Insulation Cost
If you wish to add insulation quilt above the ceiling, expect an additional cost of £5 to £8/m², depending on the thickness of the insulation.
Factors Affecting the Cost
Although the costs stated above give a broad estimate of the kinds of prices you can expect to pay, the actual price is dependent on a number of different factors.
Site and Building Access
If the work is undertaken in busier areas, parking is often more expensive. Parking prices in London are particularly high and contractors factor these into their quotes.
What floor the suspended ceiling needs to be installed in also has a bearing on cost – ground floors are the cheapest.
One Area or Multiple Areas?
If there are multiple smaller areas, this involves more cutting and more perimeter trim is required. This can increase a contractor’s quote by £4+ / m².
Ceiling Tiles Specification
There are many different types of tiles available. These can arrange from your standard budget options to tiles with higher fire resistance. The tile that needs to be used is also affected by what needs to be fixed together and the particular use of the room.
Light Systems
Various lighting options exist for suspended ceilings. Lighting systems integrated across several suspended ceilings will cost a little more than the standard rectangular fittings.
Ceiling Height
The higher the ceiling, the longer it takes to install. This increases the labour costs involved and therefore, the cost of fitting.
Location
Certain areas will be more expensive. Areas in the south tend to have higher living costs and overheads compared to the north. Particularly in London, expect to pay 10-20% in labour costs on top of the average prices.
What is a False Ceiling?
A false ceiling, also known as a suspended ceiling or drop ceiling, is a secondary ceiling installed below the main structural ceiling.
It creates an additional layer, often made of materials like plasterboard, metal panels, or acoustic tiles, which can be suspended from the original ceiling using a metal grid system.
The primary purpose of a false ceiling is to enhance the appearance of a room, improve acoustics, hide unsightly wires or plumbing, and provide easy access for maintenance purposes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Relatively straightforward to install.
- Damaged tiles can be repaired easily.
- Hides ducts and wiring as well as damaged parts of the ceiling.
- Wiring and ducts can be accessed without any difficulty in case of maintenance.
- Usually more economical than mortar and beam-based ceilings.
Cons
- Your ceiling height is lowered.
- Tiles could need replacing within a few years. They often deteriorate faster than traditional ceilings.
Get Prices On Suspended Ceilings Near You
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a suspended ceiling.
However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed written quote specifically for you.
We work with all the best suspended ceiling experts ready to price your job. Get free, no-obligation quotes in your local area and compare prices using the form below.
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*How We Got This Data
We surveyed 42 different companies for a supply and fit on a 40 / m² ceiling in 2019. We averaged out the data to give typical ranges and low-high end ranges. Since the increase in inflation and building material increases, in 2023, we surveyed extra suspended ceiling companies for their new costs and built new averages and ranges based on these figures.
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