Ceiling Replacement Costs

Want to find out the cost to replace a ceiling?

On average, it costs £400-£1,000 to replace or repair a ceiling.

Perhaps you've got holes in the ceiling, or your ceiling is bowing and need to know what your options are?

So, how will this cost guide help you?

In this guide, we'll discuss all the ins and outs of replacing a ceiling or ceiling repair, and all the costs you need to consider, so you know exactly what you're paying for!

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Let's take a more detailed look at the costs below...

How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Ceiling?

The average cost to replace a ceiling is around £400-£1000. The actual price you pay will depend on several factors, including the type of ceiling that is being installed and the size of the room in which it's being installed.

When hiring a contractor to repair or replace your ceiling, you can expect them to charge around £150-£200 per day. With this in mind, you should budget depending on the number of contractors that you need and how long the work is expected to take.

The size of the ceiling will affect the overall cost of the repair or replacement. The size will also affect the length of time that it takes to complete the repair or replacement. The material of the ceiling will also affect the cost. If it is made from plasterboard, then the work will be much quicker.

Older ceilings may be more difficult to repair or replace as they will be more delicate. The replacement price for this type of job will likely be higher as the work will be more challenging to complete and will often take longer. Some ceilings like this may also require specialist expertise.

Before having your ceiling repaired or replaced, a contractor will often need to come out and do an inspection to see the extent of the damage. At this stage, they will be able to give you a good idea of the work that will need to be carried out as well as an estimate of the costs that will be involved.

Ceiling Repair Prices

Below is a list of typical ceiling repair and replacement job costs:

Supply Only Costs

The cost for supplies will depend on the extent of the job and the materials used. Plasterboard sheets are usually 2400mm x 1200mm in size and come in a variety of different thicknesses and variations. A typical standard plasterboard piece that is 12.5mm thick will usually cost around £6-£7.

Below is a list of additional tools and materials that you may need to repair or replace a ceiling along with their average costs:

You may also need to buy some safety gear for this type of work such as safety goggles (£2-£15) and dust masks (£1-£5 each).

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Additional Costs

There are a number of additional costs that you may need to think about when it comes to repairing or replacing the ceiling. Below is a list of the other expenses that may come up with these types of jobs:

Labour Costs and Timescales

A ceiling repair or replacement will usually need the work of a plasterer or a labourer. A plasterer will usually charge around £150-£200 per day and a labourer will usually charge around £80-£100 per day.

A full ceiling replacement will usually take 1-2 days to complete depending on the size of the room. The work will often require two contractors to complete the job.

Small ceiling repairs can often be completed within a couple of hours, and so you may be able to pay based on an hourly rate. This rate will usually be around £15-£20.

Those based in London can expect to pay around £50-£100 more per day or £5-£15 more per hour for the cost of labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

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Cost Factors of Ceiling Repairs or Replacement

Several factors may affect the cost of a ceiling repair or replacement. Below is a list of the different things that may affect the overall cost of this type of job:

Type of Job

If a full ceiling replacement is needed, you can expect this to cost considerably more than a small repair as it will take much longer. A full ceiling replacement costs around £400-£1000 whereas small patch and repair work will usually cost around £150-£200.

Size of Ceiling

Larger ceilings may cost considerably more to replace than smaller ceilings. This is due to the extra materials and time needed to complete the job. The cost of labour will increase according to the size of the replacement or repair required.

Extent of Damage

The extent of the damage will also affect the cost. Some jobs will require a lot more work than others, and so the labour costs can really add up. You may also find that additional work needs to be completed once the affected area has been opened up and adequately examined. This is most common with water damaged ceilings.

Location of Property

The location of your property can affect the overall costs that you can expect to pay for a ceiling repair or replacement. Those based in London can expect to pay around £50-£100 more per day or £5-£15 more per hour for the cost of labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

Can I Repair or Replace a Ceiling Myself?

Most DIY enthusiasts will be capable of completing a ceiling repair or replacement, although a little bit of knowledge will be needed to carry out the work successfully.

When completing this type of work as a DIY project, it's essential to consider safety first, especially when removing a ceiling. You should also consider the type of safety equipment that you will need to carry out the work safely.

Since replacing or repairing a ceiling can sometimes be quite a big job and often requires more than one pair of hands, it is usually recommended that you choose an appropriate contractor for the work.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Replacing or Repairing a Ceiling

If your property is a listed building and you need to carry out a ceiling repair or replacement, you will need to get consent before you start the work. You will also have to replace the ceiling on a like for like basis. Listed building consent is exempt from any planning permission application fees.

If the work that needs to be carried out is due to a roof leak and you need extensive repairs on the roof, then you may need to get building control approval. Any work that involves more than 25 per cent of the roof must be notified to the building control department of your local authority. The cost of these types of planning applications is usually around £200.

Types of Ceiling Repairs

There are many different types of ceiling repairs. Below is a list of the most common types of ceiling repair in UK homes and the pros and cons to each type of repair:

Water Damage Repair Cost

Many ceilings require a water damage repair due to leaking pipes or a leaking roof. The damaged part of the ceiling is usually cut out and replaced, and then the area is re-decorated so that it matches the rest of the ceiling. This type of repair will typically cost, on average, around £30-£40 per square metre.

PROS

• ✔ Water damaged ceilings are often weak and could collapse
• ✔ Water damage will become increasingly unsightly
• ✔ Damp areas may result in mould growth which can be bad for your health

CONS

• ✖ The repaired area may stand out from the rest of the ceiling
• ✖ Removing the damaged area could result in more damage if not done correctly
• ✖ It will usually require the work of a professional

Hairline and Settlement Crack Repairs Cost

Cracks should be observed over time to see if they are increasing in size or numbers to determine their cause.

Once you know the reason for the cracks, you can then appropriately repair them. The cost for this type of repair is usually around £10-£20 per square metre.

PROS

• ✔ It restores the aesthetic of the ceiling
• ✔ You can prevent the cracks from getting worse and potentially causing further damage
• ✔ Can sometimes be as easy as covering with flexible paint

CONS

• ✖ You may repair too soon and start to notice more cracks appearing in the future
• ✖ Small cracks can sometimes be frustrating
• ✖ Filling cracks may be unsightly

Peeling Paint Repair Cost

Peeling paint may be caused by water damage or badly prepared plaster before decorating. The cause should be identified before you carry out any repair work on peeling paint. The cost to repair peeling paint is usually around £100-£160.

PROS

• ✔ Peeling paint is very unattractive, and repairs will make the ceiling look much more pleasing to the eye
• ✔ If the underlying cause is dampness in the ceiling, then you can be alerted of a previously unknown issue
• ✔ It can instantly improve the look of a room

CONS

• ✖ Peeling paint may be caused by damp which can be a costly repair job
• ✖ You will usually need to repair the whole ceiling so that it all matches
• ✖ Stripping away flaking paint can be a very messy job

Hiring Contractors to Replace or Repair a Ceiling Checklist

Below is a checklist of some things that you should consider before choosing someone to repair or replace your ceiling:

• Be sure to obtain at least three separate quotes for the job so that you can ensure you're getting a reasonable price.
• Ask for a breakdown of costs on the quotes so that you can be confident that you're getting a fair price for each different element of the job.
• Be sure to get the quote in writing so that you know exactly what you can expect to pay once the ceiling repair or replacement is complete.
• For any payments you make, always get a receipt.
• Ask around for recommendations on good contractors in your local area.
• Find out how much experience the contractor has of repairing or replacing a ceiling.
• Find out what materials the contractor will be using for their work – you don't want to skimp out on quality to save a bit of money upfront. This may result in you having to spend more on repairs in the future.
• Make sure the contractor you hire meets all of the certifications, licensing, and training requirements as needed to repair or replace your ceiling.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/how-to-repair-a-ceiling/CC_npci_100096.art
https://earlyexperts.net/costs-guides/how-to-fix-cracks-in-ceilings