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Suspended Ceiling Cost

By Kim

Last updated 24th May 2023 - Reading time: 13 mins

Are you considering installing a suspended ceiling or a false ceiling?

If so, you may be interested in the suspended ceiling cost or false ceiling cost.

Average Cost of Installing A False/Suspended Ceiling:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes: 6 – 8 hours

£33 per square metre

How Much Does Installing a Suspended Ceiling Cost?
- False Ceiling Prices
Supply Only Costs
Additional Costs
Labour Costs and Timescales
Cost Factors of Installing a False Ceiling
What's Involved in Installing a False Ceiling?
Can I Install a False/Suspended Ceiling Myself?
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Installing A Suspended Ceiling
Types of False Ceiling
Hiring Contractors for Installing A False/Suspended Ceiling Checklist
FAQs
Sources

How Much Does Installing a Suspended Ceiling Cost?

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about the costs involved with this type of work, including the supply costs, labour costs, and any additional costs that may come up.

We will also provide you with some additional information about false/suspended ceilings, such as the installation method, the cost factors of this work, the building regulations and planning permission rules, the different types of false or suspended ceilings, and some tips on hiring the right contractors for the job.

Suspended ceilings are most commonly used in industrial and commercial settings. However, they are becoming more and more common in residential spaces. They provide a very fast and easy way to cover up old and unattractive ceilings. They are versatile and can look very attractive when fitted right.

These types of ceilings are a great choice when you want to hide any unsightly pipes and wiring. Some varieties also come with fire-resistant properties. These ceilings can also help to improve the acoustics in your home and can provide insulation.

It's very unlikely that two suspended ceiling jobs will be the same, so it can be difficult to determine the price for this job. However, the average cost for a suspended ceiling is around £22 - £35 per square metre.

The price will vary depending on the size of your ceiling, the location of your property, and the materials used. If you are based in the London area, you can expect to pay more for this work than if you were based in the North or other parts of the UK.

False Ceiling Prices

Below is a table showing the average cost of a suspended ceiling:

JOB DESCRIPTION	FALSE/SUSPENDED CEILING PRICES
Low-end suspended ceiling cost	£16 - £20 per square metre
Mid-range suspended ceiling cost	£22 - £35 per square metre
High-end suspended ceiling cost	£40 - £60 per square metre
Insulation cost	£5 - £8 per square metre

Supply Only Costs

In some cases, you may be interested in learning more about the supply costs for this type of work. This may be the case if you are planning on installing the ceiling yourself or if you are planning on buying the materials up front and then sourcing the contractors at a later date.

Suspended ceiling tiles cost varying amounts depending on the size, style, type, and material.

You can expect to pay around £4 - £10 per square metre on average for suspended ceiling tiles. The price for the tiles will vary depending on the style and quality of the materials that they are made with.

Additional Costs

When it comes to installing a suspended or false ceiling, there are several additional costs that you may need to budget for. Below is a list of the additional things that you may need to consider with this type of work:

New Light Fittings

Once your new suspended ceiling has been installed, you might be interested in adding a new light fitting to the ceiling. Light fittings can vary in design and in cost, depending on the style and quality of light fitting you choose.

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

Plastering

If the walls in the room look a bit old, uneven, and tired, you might need to plaster the walls before adding any additional décor to the room.

The price that you can expect to pay for plastering a room will depend on the size of the room. However, you can expect to pay around £400 - £1500 on average for this type of work.

Painting a Room

If you are installing the suspended ceiling to improve the overall look of the room, you may also want to consider decorating the room in some more ways. This may include painting the room.

The average cost the paint a room is around £300 - £500. This price will depend on the quality of the paint and the size of the room.

Skip Hire

If you are replacing your existing suspended ceiling with a new suspended ceiling, then there is likely to be a lot of waste resulting from the removal of the old ceiling.

In these cases, you may need to hire a skip to get rid of all of the waste from the job. The average cost of hiring a skip for this type of work is around £150 - £300.

This price will depend on the amount of waste you need to remove and the length of time that you need to hire the skip.

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, you might then be interested in learning about the price that you might expect to pay for just the labour part of the job alone.

You might also be curious to learn about how long this type of work is expected to take.

You can expect the suspended ceiling specialist to charge around £150 - £200 per day, and a general labourer will charge around £80 - £100 per day.

If the job goes smoothly and no problems arise, your suspended ceiling installation will take no more than a day to complete. If the room is quite large, it may take up to two days.

Cost Factors of Installing a False Ceiling

There are several things that can affect the overall cost of installing a suspended ceiling. Below is a list of the things that may affect the cost of this job:

Quality of The Ceiling Tiles

The quality of the ceiling tiles will affect the overall cost of the job. As mentioned earlier, you can choose from low-range, mid-range, or high-range false ceiling panels. The tiles that you choose will determine the overall cost of the job.

Location of Property

The location of your property will also impact the overall cost of installing a suspended ceiling. Those based in and around the London area can expect to pay more for the labour part of the job than those based in the North or different areas of the UK.

This is due to the fact that labour costs in the London area tend to be higher across all industries than in other parts of the UK.

Number of Tradespeople

The number of tradespeople that are working on the job will also affect the job’s cost. More people might be required to work on the ceiling depending on the size and type of suspended ceiling that you choose. The more tradespeople that are needed for the work, the higher the overall price will be due to the additional labour costs.

What's Involved in Installing a False Ceiling?

If you are planning on installing your suspended ceiling yourself as a DIY project, then you may be interested in learning more about the steps that are involved with this type of work. Below is a guide on how to install a suspended ceiling:

Begin by calculating the height that your new ceiling will be. The minimum it needs to be is seven feet and six inches. It also needs to be three inches below any plumbing and five inches below any lighting. Snap a quick chalk line to mark the height and install the track supports around the perimeter of the walls
Use a hacksaw or tin snips to cut the main tees to the right length. Place these on the track supports and then hang them from the joists with number 12 wire attached to some eyes screws. These should be installed every four feet
Insert the tabs of the four-foot cross tees in the appropriate slots on the main tees. Shape these into place
Lower the solid panels gently into place and add any fluorescent false ceiling lighting panels that you may be installing. Wash your hands before handling the panels, as stains and smudges are difficult to remove

Can I Install a False/Suspended Ceiling Myself?

If you feel confident in your DIY skills, then you should be able to install a suspended ceiling yourself successfully. However, you should avoid attempting this type of work if you are at all in doubt about your DIY skills.

In most cases, homeowners prefer to leave this type of work to the professionals for a high-quality finish and a safe final product.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Installing A Suspended Ceiling

When it comes to suspended or false ceilings, you won’t usually need to worry about planning permission. However, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, you should check with your local authority for some advice before the work is carried out.

There are some rules that you will have to follow when installing a suspended ceiling. The minimum height it needs to be is seven feet and six inches. It also needs to be three inches below any plumbing and five inches below any lighting.

Types of False Ceiling

There are several different types of suspended ceiling materials. Below is a list of the various suspended ceiling types and the benefits of each type:

Plasterboard Suspended Ceiling

Plasterboard is one of the cheapest styles of suspended ceiling tiles. Gypsum plasterboard is a very robust type of material with good insulative qualities.

It is usually covered with a wipe-clean surface that makes it easy to maintain and is ideal for areas with high moisture exposure.

PROS

✔ One of the cheapest options
✔ Good insulation qualities
✔ Large range of finishes on offer

CONS

✖ Probably the least attractive type of suspended ceiling tile

Mineral Fibre Suspended Ceiling Tiles

Mineral fibre tiles can be found in different varieties and can be made from a range of different natural, synthetic, and recycled materials.

They are generally very good at absorbing sound, and they have great insulating properties. They are also one of the most cost-effective types of false ceiling tiles. However, these tiles can be quite heavy.

PROS

✔ One of the cheaper options
✔ Very good insulating qualities
✔ Good sound-proofing qualities

CONS

✖ It can be quite heavy

Metal Suspended Ceiling Tiles

Metal suspended ceiling tiles are one of the most visually striking types of suspended ceiling tiles. These are a popular choice for many homeowners. They are usually made from aluminium and can look very attractive.

They are also very durable and easy to maintain. They are usually paired with insulation sheets to help improve their thermal and sound-proofing qualities. These are usually the most expensive options for suspended ceiling tiles.

PROS

✔ Very attractive
✔ Durable and hard-wearing
✔ Light-reflective qualities

CONS

✖ Requires separate insulation

Plastic Suspended Ceiling Tiles

You can also get various plastic-suspended ceiling panels with different textures, colours, and finishes. Plastic ceiling tiles are usually quite cheap to buy. They are also very durable, moisture-resistant, and durable.

PROS

✔ Low-cost option
✔ Many different styles are available
✔ Durable
✔ Lightweight

CONS

✖ Not the most attractive option

Hiring Contractors for Installing A False/Suspended Ceiling Checklist

There are several things you may have to consider when hiring a contractor to install the suspended ceiling for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when finding the right contractors for the job:

Do the contractors provide any guarantees with their work, and what is included in this guarantee?
How much does the work cost to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can be sure you are paying a good price for each element of the job
Are the contractors experienced in installing the type of suspended ceiling that you require?
How much experience does the contractor have in installing suspended ceilings?
Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
Do you need to hire any additional contractors for any parts of the job?
Do you need to provide anything to the contractors for the work?
How long will the work take to complete?
Can the contractors provide any photos of their previous work?
Will the contractors take care of any relevant waste removal as part of the job?

FAQs

What is a false ceiling?

False ceilings are also known as suspended ceilings. They are different from normal ceilings as they are closer to the ground underneath the original ceiling structure.

There is usually a hollow space left between the new false ceiling and the original ceiling. This can be very useful for insulating and sound-proofing.

What are suspended ceiling tiles made of?

Suspended ceiling tiles can be made from various materials, including plasterboard, mineral fibre, metal, or plastic. There are some other materials for suspended ceiling tiles. However, these tend to be less common in domestic settings.

What are the most common types of suspended ceiling tiles?

There are so many different types of ceiling tiles available, so you can be quite spoilt for choice. Some of the most common styles of ceiling tiles are square edge, micro lock, tegular edge and concealed grid.

What are suspended ceiling tiles?

Suspended ceiling tiles fit in the suspended ceiling grid, and these form the main feature of a suspended ceiling's appearance. Suspended ceiling tiles can be rectangular or square and come in a range of different sizes. However, the most common size for suspended ceiling tiles is 600mm x 600mm.

Can a suspended ceiling be painted?

Yes, you can paint a suspended ceiling. However, you will need a surprisingly large amount of paint and several coats to get the right finish. Painting the suspended ceiling will also seal all of the perforations on the ceiling tiles' surface, reducing the acoustic properties.

If you would like a different colour for your ceiling, it may be easier, quicker, and cheaper to simply replace the tiles with new ones rather than painting them.

How do I stop my tiles from lifting in the wind when I open the external door?

It is usually recommended that you fit a louvre tile to help ventilate the area above the ceiling, which will help to equalise the pressures from above and below to prevent the lifting.

You can also choose to clip the tiles in place using some universal hold-down clips. This will help hold the tiles down and prevent them from lifting out of place if wind enters the property.