How Much Does It Cost to Install a Beadboard Ceiling? [2026 Data]

The cost to install beadboard ceiling is $5,100 on average, but can run between $2,000 and $6,800. For those unfamiliar with the term, beadboard is a type of wood paneling—similar to hardwood flooring—that is “hung” on ceilings and walls, adding texture and style to an otherwise flat surface. Beadboard can look beautiful, and while it isn’t the least expensive way to decorate your ceiling, it can be a smart way to cover up outdated styles like popcorn ceilings—as long as they don’t contain asbestos. 

Beadboard Ceiling Cost per Square Foot

The average cost for professional beadboard installation ranges from $5 to $6 per square foot. In most cases, you can install beadboard directly over existing ceiling styles without needing to remove any of the ceiling’s applied texture. The cost per room varies based on size but unless the ceilings are much higher in one room versus another, the cost per square foot should be the same. 

If you choose to remove any existing texture, expect to pay an additional $1.30 to $2.50 per square foot, plus an additional $3 to $7 per square foot if your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. If you have a popcorn ceiling that is completely free of asbestos and you choose to DIY your beadboard installation, expect to pay $2 to $4.20 per square foot for the cost of vinyl or MDF beadboard materials. 

Beadboard Ceiling Cost by Material

The type of beadboard you choose depends largely on your budget and your desired aesthetic. Wooden designs are a classic interior choice, but they can also cause the appearance of a lower ceiling, whereas vinyl or MDF beadboard is less expensive and can be painted over easily. A white ceiling can give the illusion of more headspace.

Beadboard Ceiling Framing Cost

You can add a framing style to your beadboard ceilings that breaks it up into tiles. This is called coffering, and it is very popular in rooms that usually contain other decorative elements, such as bedrooms or living rooms. It is less common in rooms like bathrooms, utility rooms, or basements, where the visual interest goes unnoticed.

Coffering a beadboard ceiling requires some planks, nails, and paint. These planks are applied in rectangles or squares, and beadboard is laid within those recessed shapes. This can add an interesting depth to an otherwise flat beadboard ceiling. The framing is not expensive unless it is finished wood, but even then you should expect to pay between $80 and $600 to install coffered framing, depending on the type of wood used.

Ceiling Contractor Costs 

If hiring a professional to install a beadboard ceiling, you will pay $1 to $3.50 per square foot to cover the cost of labor. However, contractors will also charge for the removal of debris, sourcing and picking up materials, using their tools and ladders, and developing a plan for your home. If they need to remove existing ceilings like popcorn ceilings, this adds to the cost. If they charge a project-based fee, expect to pay 10% to 25% of the project cost based on factors like ceiling height and demand in the local market. 

However, popcorn texture does not have to be removed from the ceiling to cover it with beadboard. But if you do want the ceiling texture—any texture—professionally removed prior to beadboard installation, you will pay an average of $1.30 to $2.50 per square foot for a local popcorn ceiling removal service. 

Beadboard Ceiling Cost by Location

Every city is different and will have different markets for both materials and labor. City centers in high-cost-of-living areas will command the highest prices, while suburban areas are the most affordable. As long as there are more than a few professionals working in one area, there should be consistency across the pricing offered. 

Why You Should Hire a Beadboard Ceiling Installer

Installing a beadboard ceiling can change a room’s appearance, but it demands precise cutting, leveling, and fastening overhead. While DIY work can save on labor costs, this project is time-consuming, physically demanding, and mistakes can cause uneven seams or sagging panels. Hiring a professional ceiling installer near you guarantees a polished finish and durable results. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a beadboard ceiling installer

If you want a flawless finish without the hassle of overhead carpentry, a professional offers clear advantages:

• Accurate measurements and cuts to ensure panels fit seamlessly across the ceiling 

• Proper fastening and leveling techniques prevent sagging or gaps over time 

• Access to specialized tools and scaffolding for safe, efficient overhead installation 

• Time savings and less physical strain, with professionals completing in days what could take weeks to DIY 

• Improved durability and appearance due to skilled caulking, painting, or staining 

If you want to DIY beadboard ceiling installation

For homeowners with moderate carpentry skills, some parts of the project are achievable:

• Measure and plan the ceiling layout to determine panel sizes and placement.

• Finish with trim, caulk, and paint or stain to complete the look and protect the wood.

Tips to Reduce Cost While Installing a Beadboard Ceiling

Reducing cost will depend largely on two things—whether you DIY the job or hire a pro, and what material you use. You can save some money on paint if you choose to paint the beadboard yourself rather than buy it prefinished, or if you are doing a large project and able to negotiate a bulk discount.

If you find a contractor who will install raw beadboard, you can finish it yourself. This gives you the opportunity to try your hand at a new technique and allow you greater control of the finished design.

Do Beadboard Ceilings Increase Home Value?

You can recoup much of what you spend on beadboard ceilings, especially when installed as a DIY project. But beadboard ceilings won’t directly increase a home’s value. They will, however, likely make a difference to buyers by increasing the home’s visual appeal. 

There are plenty of projects that offer significant return on investment (ROI), so interested homeowners should think of beadboard ceilings as a way to increase the aesthetics of the space and less on the monetary reward.  

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. 

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