- Plasterboard (gypsum board) ceilings for new builds, extensions, renovations and replacing old ceilings.
- For homeowners, builders, landlords and businesses.
- Covers board types, framing, cornices and the choice between H-strip, taped and flush finishes.
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Compare QuotesTypical Ceiling Projects
| Project | Notes |
|---|---|
| New homes and extensions | Boards fixed to timber brandering or a steel frame |
| Replacing old ceilings | Sagging, stained or damaged ceilings stripped and replaced |
| Garage, flatlet and outbuilding conversions | Ceiling and insulation together |
| Shops and offices | Steel-framed board ceilings, often with bulkheads |
| Bathrooms and kitchens | Moisture-resistant board |
What Ceiling Installation Includes
- Removing and disposing of the old ceiling, if quoted.
- Checking and levelling the brandering or installing a steel frame.
- Insulation above the ceiling, if quoted.
- Fixing the boards and finishing the joints.
- Cornices, a trap door and cut-outs for lights.
Board and Finish Options
- Standard gypsum board. For most rooms.
- Moisture-resistant board. For bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. See moisture resistant drywall.
- Fire-rated board. Only where a fire-rated ceiling is specified.
- H-strip joints. Visible jointing strips between boards. The lowest cost finish.
- Taped and filled joints. A flat finish without visible strips.
- Flush plastered. Taped joints plus a full skim for one seamless surface. See flush plastered ceilings.
- Cornices. Gypsum or polystyrene cornices, or a shadowline edge with no cornice.
New buildings must meet the energy-efficiency rules in SANS 10400-XA, which affects the roof insulation. Your builder or contractor can confirm what applies.
Installation Process
- Inspect the roof structure and brandering.
- Strip and remove the old ceiling, if there is one.
- Fix and level the brandering or steel frame.
- Lay insulation, if included.
- Fix the boards and finish the joints.
- Fit cornices, the trap door and light cut-outs.
Drywall Ceiling Prices
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Gypsum board ceiling with H-strip joints, supplied and installed | R150 - R250 per m² |
| Gypsum board ceiling, supplied and installed (typical range) | R220 - R380 per m² |
| Board ceiling with a full skim (flush finish) | R300 - R500 per m² |
| Moisture-resistant board ceiling | R260 - R340 per m² |
| Strip and dispose of old ceiling | R50 - R100 per m² |
| Cornice, installed | R80 - R200 per metre |
| Ceiling painting | R50 - R110 per m² |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Ranges are compiled from price guides published by South African drywall and ceiling contractors in 2025 and 2026, checked 8 October 2026, and rounded. Most do not say whether VAT is included, so confirm VAT on every quote. A site visit and a written quote set the actual price.
What Affects the Cost
- Area. Priced per m² of ceiling, roughly the floor area.
- Finish. H-strip is cheapest, flush plastered the most expensive.
- Height and access. Double-volume rooms need scaffolding.
- Existing ceiling. Removal and disposal add to the price.
- Brandering. Rotten or uneven timber must be replaced or levelled first.
- Extras. Insulation, cornices, downlight cut-outs and painting.
What Affects Completion Time
- An average room is usually boarded in a day.
- A flush finish adds drying time between coats.
- Whole-house ceilings can take one to two weeks.
- Roof leaks must be fixed before new boards go up.
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Compare QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
H-strip or flush ceiling?
H-strip is quicker and cheaper but the joints show. Flush gives a seamless finish and costs more.
Which board is best for a bathroom ceiling?
Moisture-resistant board, with an extractor fan to remove steam.
Can a new ceiling go under the old one?
Sometimes, if the old ceiling and brandering are sound. A contractor needs to inspect it.
Do I need insulation?
New buildings must meet SANS 10400-XA. For existing homes it is optional but cuts heat gain and loss.
When can I paint?
Once the joints, or the skim on flush ceilings, are fully dry.
Need walls as well as ceilings? See Drywall Installers South Africa.
Related Services
Drywall Installers South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. Drywall and ceiling work is measured, quoted and carried out by independent contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Ask each one for a written quote, what is and is not included, and the payment terms before paying anything.
Drywall Ceilings South Africa. Describe your ceiling once and compare quotes from ceiling installers.
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