How the quantities are worked out
Each room’s ceiling area is its length times width. Where you choose a cove light all round, the cove length is the room’s perimeter, two times length plus width. Boards are the total area, plus the cutting waste you set, divided by the board size and rounded up.
The ceiling is priced per square foot and the cove per running foot, at the rates you enter, because that is how contractors quote them and how a client can check them.
Before you quote
- Measure at ceiling height; rooms are not always square at the top.
- Set a higher cutting waste for many small rooms or curved designs.
- Quote painting of the ceiling separately if it is not in your rate.
To price the paint for the same rooms, use the painting cost calculator.
Questions
How do I calculate false ceiling area?
Multiply the room’s length by its width. Firms usually quote the ceiling per square foot of that area, and add cove or profile lighting per running foot around the edge.
How many gypsum boards do I need?
Divide the ceiling area, plus an allowance for cutting, by the area of one board: 24 sq ft for a 6 × 4 ft board or 32 sq ft for 8 × 4 ft. The calculator rounds up to whole boards.
How is cove lighting measured?
Cove lighting runs along the edge of the ceiling, so it is measured in running feet: the perimeter of the room, or of the part where the cove runs.
Does this include the metal framework?
The ceiling rate usually covers the framework, boards, jointing and putty. Ask your contractor what their rate includes, and quote lights and paint as separate lines if they are not in it.