How Much Does a Coffered Ceiling Cost?
The average coffered ceiling installation costs $3,750, but it can range between $2,200 and $6,720, depending on the ceiling size and the material used.
Mahogany and walnut coffered ceilings are at least three times as expensive as oak and cherry.
If covering holes and cracks, patch them first to avoid costly issues like mold or structural damage.
Budget $1 to $6 per square foot extra to remove popcorn from your ceiling.
Many homeowners pay for upgraded features like medallions, recessed lighting, and trim or molding to enhance the look.
A coffered ceiling costs $3,750 on average, or $20 to $30 per square foot. Homeowners can expect to pay between $2,200 to $6,720, depending on the size of the ceiling and the material they choose. Sometimes called a sunken ceiling, the finished product has an upscale appearance with recessed panels attached to beams in a grid pattern.
Several factors contribute to the overall cost of a coffered ceiling installation. Consider the following as you plan your budget.
Coffered Ceiling Cost Factors
The price to have a coffered ceiling installed can vary widely based on the materials used and the complexity of your ceiling design. With contractors basing total labor costs on how long a project will take to complete, everything from the need to remove existing ceiling materials to adding special decorative touches will affect the price.
Size
As with many renovation projects, the larger the room, the more you can expect to pay for labor and materials for a coffered ceiling. A basic coffered ceiling installation without decorative add-ons costs $20 to $30 per square foot.
| Room Type | Average Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Home office | 110 | $2,200–$3,300 |
| Bedroom | 132 | $2,640–$3,960 |
| Living room | 216 | $4,320–$6,480 |
| Dining room | 224 | $4,480–$6,720 |
Materials
When you install a coffered ceiling, you'll pay $2 to $30 per square foot for materials alone. You can build these ceilings from various materials, and traditional wood options tend to cost the most. If you're on a tighter budget, you can still create a beautiful coffered ceiling using more cost-effective contemporary materials such as drywall and plywood.
| Coffered Ceiling Material | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $2–$3 |
| Plywood | $3–$4 |
| Oak | $4–$8 |
| Cherry | $7–$10 |
| Fiberboard | $6–$15 |
| Walnut | $10–$30 |
| PVC | $15–$20 |
| Mahogany | $17–$30 |
Design Complexity
If you're adding some artistry to your new coffered ceiling, expect the extra effort and attention to detail to be represented in the installation price.
| Design | Price per square foot |
|---|---|
| Circular | $2–$7 |
| Octagonal | $3–$8 |
| Diamond | $7–$12 |
| Rectangular or square | $5–$12 |
| Rustic | $9–$30 |
| Waffle | $15–$30 |
Labor
Ceiling installers quote a total project rate that includes labor and materials for an average of $20 to $30 per square foot. You likely won't see the cost of labor listed individually. However, larger jobs and more complex designs will come with higher labor costs, as will more experienced installers.
Additional Costs to Consider
Once you’ve estimated the square footage costs of adding a coffered ceiling, think about the details of your specific project. Depending on the condition of your current ceiling and the modifications you want, consider the price of ceiling repairs, popcorn ceiling removal, or even raising your existing ceiling. For accurate bids, call local ceiling repair companies for an estimate.
Ceiling Repairs
Ceiling repairs, like fixing a sagging ceiling or patching ceiling cracks, are sometimes necessary before installing a coffered ceiling. If not repaired, water damage, mold, cracks, and structural issues can lead to further deterioration or ceiling collapse.
Below are some common ceiling repair costs you might experience.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Water damage | $45–$55 per square foot |
| Sagging ceiling | $75 per hour |
| Ceiling holes | $180–$370 |
| Ceiling cracks | $400–$1,350 |
| Ceiling joists | $150–$750 |
| Main home support beam | $1,500–$10,000 |
Who to call for ceiling repairs depends on the job you need done. In most cases, a ceiling repair contractor can help you with sagging ceilings, water damage, holes, cracks, and more.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Budget for an additional $1 to $6 per square foot for popcorn ceiling removal costs. The cost increases if your ceiling is high, painted, or contains asbestos. For example, asbestos popcorn ceiling removal can range from $5 to $20 per square foot for professional remediation.
Leave asbestos removal to the professionals. Long periods of exposure to a high volume of disturbed asbestos can have harmful effects on your health, including serious diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
Cost to Raise a Ceiling
Raising a ceiling can make your room feel bigger, but it’s a structural change that can include altering the roofline or internal framing. For these reasons, raising a ceiling can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 or more, depending on the size of the room, the scale of the work, and whether you need to move or add HVAC, plumbing, or electrical components.
Cost of Common Coffered Ceiling Add-Ons
Coffered ceilings are an elegant, high-end upgrade that can benefit from extra design touches. Below are some common add-ons homeowners use to embellish their coffered ceilings.
Ceiling soffits: These serve as substitutes for beams and cost $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Tin tile: Two-by-two-foot tin ceiling tiles cost $1 to $10 each and create a classic look.
Medallions: These $10 to $690 accents decorate mounting points for large light fixtures.
Trim and molding: The cost of trim to dress up the sides of beams is $1 to $15 per foot.
Paint: The cost to paint your ceiling any color you like is $0.50 to $5 per square foot.
Recessed lighting: The cost of recessed lights in panels and along beams is $360 per fixture.
Finials: These decorative pieces cost $15 to $110 each, depending on the material used.
DIY Coffered Ceiling Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
A coffered ceiling has a complex design, so installing one yourself can be difficult. Mistakes can create unnecessary repair and material costs. All types of ceiling installation involve working on a ladder or lift, which gets more difficult and dangerous the taller the ceiling is. Finally, coffered ceiling installation requires buying or renting a power drill, miter saw, and nail gun.
Hire a local ceiling repair pro or a ceiling company near you for a safe and efficient coffered ceiling installation. Look for a pro with experience laying out and installing coffered ceiling designs to maximize your time and budget. Most homeowners spend between $3,000 and $4,500 to get lasting professional results.
How to Save Money on a Coffered Ceiling Installation
A coffered ceiling has luxury appeal and often comes at a luxury cost. Thankfully, there are several ways to save on the cost of coffered ceiling installation and make it a more accessible project for those on tighter budgets.
Pick low-cost materials: Traditional woods are the most costly, so opt for tiles or other contemporary materials.
Keep it simple: A more straightforward design with fewer add-ons will help you save on materials and labor.
DIY some tasks: Once installed, you can paint the ceiling yourself to save on labor.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, coffered ceilings add value to a home. They’re a timeless addition that creates an instant focal point in a room and makes it feel luxurious, no matter the style. This can catch the eye of potential homebuyers and get them excited about the home, providing you with a return on your investment.
Coffered ceilings can make a room look bigger, but they also run the risk of doing the opposite. Installation may require lowering the ceiling and creating a shorter ceiling height, while smaller panels and larger beams can create a busier textured look that creates the illusion of a smaller space. On the other hand, installing larger ceiling panels can create the illusion of more space.
You can install coffered ceilings in any room where the existing ceiling structure can support the additional weight and provide enough clearance. However, you’ll often see them in living rooms, dens, kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, libraries, dining rooms, and home theaters. Install a coffered ceiling wherever you want an elegant look.
The minimum room height for a coffered ceiling is 9 feet tall. Only install a coffered ceiling in rooms with proper clearance. If additional clearance is needed, talk to your contractor about ways to raise a ceiling to assess whether it's possible in the room in question and if it would be cost-effective.
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