Ceiling installation or repair in Cape Town usually costs R120 to R150 per square metre for Rhinoboard (gypsum) boards, plus R60 to R80 per square metre for skimming and sanding, and R30 to R50 per metre for cornice. A typical full replacement, including painting, runs from R4,000 to R7,000 for a smaller ceiling and up to R9,000 to R13,500 for a large commercial ceiling.
I'm from Mshankwe Investments. I've installed and repaired ceiling boards in Cape Town for at least 8 years, so these figures come from real jobs, not guesswork.
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Site visit and quotation | Free |
| Rhinoboard ceiling repair or installation | R120 - R150 per m² |
| PVC ceiling installation | R60 - R90 per m² |
| Skimming and sanding | R60 - R80 per m² |
| Primer plus 2 coats of white PVA paint | R50 - R80 per m² |
| 2 coats of white PVA paint (PVC ceilings, no primer) | R40 - R60 per m² |
| Cornice | R30 - R50 per metre |
Skirting is also charged per running metre. Your final price depends on the factors below.
If your ceiling has been ruined by water damage, it has to be fully replaced. Patching a waterlogged board doesn't last. The most common causes I see are:
+ A leaking roof, including wind damage that lets water in
+ A blocked gutter, where overflowing water soaks into the ceiling.
Cornice is different. If the cornice has a crack, we replace it. If it only has a gap between the cornice and the ceiling or wall, we close it with painter's caulk, which is much cheaper.
1. Ceiling height: The height of the ceiling boards affects the price. High ceilings are harder to reach and take longer.
2. Straightness of floors and ceilings: If the floor isn't straight, fitting skirting becomes a struggle. If the ceiling isn't straight, the cornice is harder to fit. Both push the price up.
3. Installation: There is an extra charge for installation work.
4. Job size: A small job costs more per square metre than a big one.
5. Materials: Our clients supply the materials.
Replacing a ceiling is more than hanging new boards. This is the process we follow:
1. Remove the damaged ceiling and cornice
2. Install the new Rhinoboard and cornice
3. Skim the new ceiling
4. Sand it with sandpaper, and use polyfiller where needed
5. Apply primer as the first coat
6. Apply 2 coats of white PVA-specified paint
PVC ceilings, which we usually install in restaurants, are different. We skip the primer because the PVC cornice reacts with it, so they only get 2 coats of white PVA paint. We haven't done fibre cement ceiling boards yet, and I'd rather tell you that than pretend otherwise.
A leaking roof had soaked the ceiling, and it was very high and difficult to reach. We removed the waterlogged ceiling and cornice, installed new Rhinoboard and cornice, then skimmed and sanded it. We painted the entire ceiling, including the parts we hadn't replaced, so the texture and colour matched.
1. Installation: R130 - R150 per m²
2. Skimming: R60 - R80 per m²
3. Primer plus 2 coats of PVA paint: R50 - R80 per m²
Total to the client: R4,000 - R7,000
The kitchen ceiling was old and worn out, and we replaced it with new PVC ceiling boards. It covered about 90m². No primer was used, only 2 coats of white PVA paint.
1. PVC installation: R60 - R90 per m² (R5,400 - R8,100)
2. 2 coats of PVA paint: R40 - R60 per m² (R3,600 - R5,400)
Total to the client: R9,000 - R13,500
The mistake I see most is work that looks good on the day but doesn't last. Cheap or rushed jobs usually end up with sagging ceiling boards and cracks in the cornice, and then you pay to have it done again. Fix the cause of the damage first, whether that's the roof or a blocked gutter, and get the finishing steps done properly.
Move your furniture out of the way before we arrive so we can work properly. Our site visit and quotation are free, so you'll know the price before you commit to anything.
Not sure whether your ceiling needs repair or replacement? We'll come to your home or business, assess the damage, and give you a free quotation. 078 912 1881 or info@adaminvestments.co.za
Ceiling costs depend on the type of ceiling, the size and condition of the area, ceiling height, and the amount of preparation and finishing required. For Rhinoboard ceilings, installation or replacement typically costs around R120–R150 per m², with additional costs for skimming, sanding, painting and cornice where required.
A ceiling can often be repaired when the damage is minor and the board remains structurally sound. However, a ceiling board that has been badly damaged or soaked by water generally needs to be removed and replaced. Common causes of serious ceiling damage include a leaking roof, wind damage that allows water into the building, and blocked gutters that cause water to overflow into the ceiling.
Usually not. Once a ceiling board has become waterlogged, patching the damaged section may not provide a lasting solution. The source of the water must first be fixed, and severely damaged boards should be replaced.
A typical Rhinoboard replacement involves: Removing the damaged ceiling boards and cornice where necessary. Installing new Rhinoboard boards and cornice. Skimming the new ceiling. Sanding and using Polyfilla where required. Applying primer. Applying two coats of white PVA paint. The exact scope of work is confirmed in the BOQ and quotation.
For a Rhinoboard ceiling, primer plus two coats of white PVA paint typically costs around R50–R80 per m². For PVC ceilings, primer is generally not used, and two coats of white PVA paint typically cost around R40–R60 per m².
