Ceilings & cornices cost
Ceilings & cornices typically runs $1.5k–$4k. By area that is $20–$35 per m² standard flat ceiling; cornice $6–$14 per linear metre.
Broken down
What each job costs
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Whole-home ceilings, three-bedroom house | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Standard flat ceiling (good-condition plasterboard) | $20–$35 per m² |
| Water-stained ceiling requiring sealer treatment | $25–$45 per m² |
| High ceilings above 3 metres | $30–$55 per m² |
| Vaulted or cathedral ceilings | $40–$70+ per m² |
| Cornice painting | $6–$14 per linear metre, ornate heritage profiles at the higher range |
| Ceiling roses | $60–$180 each |
| Newcastle and Wollongong ceiling rate | $20–$34 per m² (regional NSW sits 10–25% below Sydney; Sydney metro $22–$48/m²) |
| Ceiling rate cross-check by height | 2.4m standard $10–$20/m² standard, $20–$30/m² premium; 3m+ high $20–$35/m² standard, $35–$50/m² premium |
Why quotes differ
What moves the price
Water staining
requires shellac-based stain-blocking primer before topcoats; omitting it causes stains to reappear within weeks
Textured pre-1990 ceilings (asbestos)
must be tested for asbestos, "$50-$150/sample", before any mechanical preparation begins
Access equipment
high ceilings above 3.5m require scaffolding or elevated platforms with separate hire costs
Downlights
extensive fixtures may incur "$5-$10" per unit for masking and cut-in work
Ceilings show every roller mark and every patch, so they are less forgiving than walls. Textured ceilings in homes built before the nineties should be tested before anyone starts sanding.
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