Ceiling quotes for new ceilings, repairs and insulation
New ceilings, sagging and water-damaged ceiling repairs, bulkheads and insulation. Tell us what you need and up to 3 ceiling installers quote.
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How it works
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A few questions about what you need and where you are. There's no account to create.
Get up to 3 quotes
Ceiling installers that work in your area contact you with a price.
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Weigh up price, timing and what's included. Accept the one that suits you, or none.
Ceiling types
| Type | Worth knowing |
|---|---|
| Gypsum plasterboard | The standard in most homes: boards fixed to a timber or steel framework, with taped and skimmed joints for a smooth, paintable finish. |
| PVC ceilings | Lightweight panels that don't need painting and handle humidity well. Popular for bathrooms, kitchens and outbuildings; the joints between panels stay visible. |
| Suspended ceilings | Tiles in a metal grid hung below the roof, with easy access above. Common in offices; less usual in homes. |
| Tongue-and-groove timber | A warm, natural finish, often under exposed roof structures. Needs sealing and more maintenance. |
| Older pressed-steel and fibre ceilings | Found in older homes. Some old ceiling boards contain asbestos, so test before removing them. |
Why ceilings sag and crack
Most ceiling problems start above the ceiling. Water from a roof leak or a burst geyser soaks boards until they bulge and fall. Wide brandering, the timber battens the boards are fixed to, lets boards sag between fixings. Roof movement cracks the joints when the structure flexes in wind or settles over time.
Repairing the ceiling without fixing the cause brings the problem straight back. If your ceiling is stained or sagging, have the roof or plumbing checked first.
Insulation
A ceiling without insulation lets heat pour through in summer and escape in winter, and insulation is one of the most effective ways to make a home more comfortable and cheaper to heat and cool.
For new buildings and qualifying alterations, the energy-efficiency part of the building regulations, SANS 10400-XA, requires roof or ceiling insulation. Its 2021 edition divides the country into seven energy zones, each with a minimum insulation value for the roof assembly. Existing homes don't have to be upgraded, but adding insulation when a ceiling is replaced is cheap compared with doing it separately later.
Common products include glass-wool and polyester blankets laid over the ceiling, and insulation boards fixed under the roof. Ask installers for the product's R-value and how it meets the requirement for your zone.
Bulkheads and features
Bulkheads drop part of the ceiling to hide pipes, ducts or beams, or to frame a kitchen or create space for downlighters. They're built in plasterboard on a framework, and planned together with the electrician so light fittings and cabling go in at the right time.
What ceilings costs
A basic gypsum board ceiling with H-strip joints starts at about R150 to R350 per m² installed, while a seamless Rhinolite finish runs roughly R300 to R500 per m². PVC is about R200 to R350 per m², and bulkheads cost R500 to R900 per m². Replacing a 20 m² bedroom ceiling with a skimmed finish and insulation comes to roughly R8,600 to R16,000.
- Gypsum board ceiling with H-strip joints, supplied and installed
- R150–R350/m²
- Gypsum board with Rhinolite skim (seamless finish)
- R300–R500/m²
- PVC ceiling panels, supplied and installed
- R200–R350/m²
- Bulkhead or feature ceiling
- R500–R900/m²
See the full ceilings cost guideGet exact prices
Estimates only, last checked 28 October 2026. Get quotes for an accurate price for your job.
Before you hire: a ceilings checklist
A ceiling looks simple, but it carries light fittings, hides services and keeps your heat in.
Fix the cause before the ceiling
For stained or sagging ceilings, ask the contractor to identify the cause. If it's a roof or plumbing leak, get that repaired first.
Ask about the framework
Ask what the boards will be fixed to and at what spacing. Wide spacing is a common cause of sagging.
Include insulation in the quote
Ask for insulation to be priced with a new ceiling, with the product's R-value and how it meets SANS 10400-XA for your energy zone.
Check for asbestos in old ceilings
If your home is older, have ceiling boards tested before they're removed. Asbestos removal must be done by a registered asbestos contractor.
Coordinate with your electrician
Downlighters and new fittings need planning before the boards go up. Electrical work needs an electrical certificate of compliance.
Clarify cornices, skimming and paint
Ask whether cornices, taping and skimming the joints, and painting are included, or whether the ceiling is handed over unpainted.
Where these rules come from
- SANS 10400-XA Energy usage in buildings: a homeowner's guide to compliance, Nedbank
- SANS 10400-XA explained for homeowners, Insulation industry guide
- Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020, Department of Employment and Labour
Before you request quotes
The questions people ask us most.
Is it really free?
Yes. Requesting quotes costs you nothing. The providers pay to receive requests, which is how the service is funded.
Will I be flooded with calls?
No. Your details go only to the providers quoting on your job, up to 3 of them.
Do I have to accept a quote?
No. Compare the quotes, ask questions, and accept one if it suits you. If none do, you don't have to go ahead.
Are the providers any good?
More than 200 registered service providers quote through our network. Compare quotes carefully, ask for references and photos of past work, and use the checklist on each service page before you hire.
How quickly will I hear back?
The ceiling installers who quote on your job contact you directly by phone or email.
What if I'm not happy with any of the quotes?
You don't have to accept any of them. If the prices are all higher than you expected, ask each provider what's driving the cost. The answers often show what the job really needs.
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We handle your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and share it only with the providers quoting on your job, up to 3 of them. Our privacy policy explains what we collect and your rights.
Ceilings questions, answered
Why is my ceiling sagging?
Usually water damage from a roof or plumbing leak, or boards fixed to brandering that's spaced too widely. Find and fix the cause before replacing the ceiling.
Do I have to insulate my ceiling?
New buildings and qualifying alterations must meet the insulation requirements of SANS 10400-XA, which vary across seven energy zones. Existing homes don't have to upgrade, but insulation is worth adding when a ceiling is replaced.
Are PVC ceilings any good?
They're light, moisture-resistant and don't need painting, which suits bathrooms and kitchens. The joints between panels stay visible, so many people prefer plasterboard in living areas.
Can a ceiling be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Small water-damaged or cracked areas can usually be cut out and patched. Widespread sagging or repeated damage often means replacing the ceiling, ideally with insulation added at the same time.
Could my old ceiling contain asbestos?
Some ceiling boards in older homes do. Have a sample tested before removal. If it contains asbestos, removal must be done by a registered asbestos contractor.
How long does a new ceiling take?
A room can often be done in a few days, but taping, skimming and painting add time between stages. Ask for a timeline that includes finishing.
Related services
- RoofingRoof repairs, replacements and new roofs in tile, sheeting and slate.
- PaintingInterior and exterior painting, including roofs, walls and preparation.
- RenovationsHome renovations and alterations, from a single room to the whole house.
- Electrical WorkWiring, DB boards, fault finding and electrical certificates of compliance.
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