A false ceiling is a second ceiling hung below the concrete slab on a metal frame. In offices, shops, clinics and F&B outlets it hides aircon ducts, cable trays and sprinkler pipes, carries the lighting and diffusers, and can absorb noise. In homes it is mostly used for cove lighting, L-boxes and boxing up pipes. Because the price is quoted per square foot, or per foot run for boxes and pelmets, the total can be hard to judge before quotes arrive.
This guide sets out what Singapore ceiling contractors and renovation firms publish for false ceiling work in 2026, including acoustic and fire-rated ceilings for commercial premises and the cost of removing a false ceiling. Every figure links to the page it comes from. Prices are indicative and shown as each company publishes them. To find a contractor, browse the Commercial Fit-Out directory or the Renovation & Interior Design directory.
False ceiling cost in Singapore: the short answer
Published 2026 prices for a standard gypsum or plasterboard false ceiling range from about S$2.50 per sqft (a starting price) to S$9 per sqft installed, with most guides quoting S$4–12 per sqft depending on design. Acoustic ceilings for offices are published from S$9 per sqft, and one contractor quotes S$12–18 per sqft for a 1,000 sqft acoustic ceiling. Fire-rated ceilings start from about S$6 per sqft. Removing a false ceiling is published at about S$4–7 per sqft at one firm, or a S$140 minimum plus S$0.95 per sqft at another. GST, lighting and painting may be extra.
Published false ceiling prices (2026)
We checked each page on 11 Oct 2026. Some figures are starting prices and others are ranges, as noted. Figures from different companies are shown separately rather than averaged.
| Ceiling type or job | Published price (indicative) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gypsum / plaster ceiling | From S$2.50 per sqft | Ceiling Partition Co, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Standard plasterboard (9 or 12 mm), installed | S$6–9 per sqft | Fortified, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Gypsum false ceiling, general range | S$4–10 per sqft; flat ceiling S$4–7 | Le Industrior, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Full drop ceiling | About S$6–12 per sqft | Nextech, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Plasterboard with L-box and cove lighting | S$8–12 per sqft | Fortified, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Cove light false ceiling | S$8–15 per sqft | Le Industrior, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| L-box | From S$5 per foot run; about S$18–45 per running foot | Ceiling Partition Co, checked 11 Oct 2026; Nextech, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Acoustic gypsum ceiling | From S$9 per sqft | Ceiling Partition Co, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Acoustic ceiling (offices, meeting rooms) | S$12–18 per sqft | Fortified, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Fire-rated ceiling | From S$6 per sqft; S$10–14 per sqft | Ceiling Partition Co, checked 11 Oct 2026; Fortified, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Decorative feature ceiling | Typically S$15–30 per sqft, by quote | Fortified, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Window or curtain pelmet / aircon pelmet | From S$9 per foot run / from S$50 per unit | Ceiling Partition Co, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| Remove single-layer false ceiling | S$140 per lot (min. 150 sqft), then S$0.95 per extra sqft | RenoContractor, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
| False ceiling removal / suspended ceiling strip-out | S$4–7 per sqft / S$5–9 per sqft (M&E capping included) | Bellevill Construction, checked 11 Oct 2026 |
Why the published figures differ so much
S$2.50 and S$9 per sqft can both be accurate. A starting price usually means a flat, single-level board ceiling at normal height in an empty space, with no lighting, while installed ranges usually include jointing, sanding and painting. Ask each contractor whether the rate covers the frame, board, finishing and paint, and whether it is per sqft of floor area or of ceiling surface.
False ceilings for offices, shops and F&B
Commercial ceilings are usually priced after a site visit, as part of a fit-out. Fortified describes the typical office mix as an acoustic grid ceiling over the workstation area and plasterboard in meeting rooms and reception, and names coordination with lighting, sprinklers, aircon diffusers and cable trays as the critical point. That coordination is why a commercial ceiling often costs more per sqft than a home ceiling of the same board.
- Acoustic performance: open-plan offices, meeting rooms and clinics often need acoustic boards or tiles, which are published from S$9 per sqft.
- Fire rating: some premises need fire-rated boards, published from S$6 per sqft and S$10–14 per sqft at another firm.
- Access panels: landlords and M&E contractors need to reach valves, dampers and cables above the ceiling.
- Building rules: after-hours work, lift bookings and approved-contractor lists add time.
- End of lease: many leases require the tenant’s ceiling to be removed and the original ceiling restored.
For the full project budget, see our office renovation cost guide. Lighting points and rewiring are usually separate electrical work, covered in our electrician cost guide. If you are moving out, ceiling removal is part of the scope in our office reinstatement cost guide.
Some fit-out and renovation firms in our directory
These companies are listed in SG Directory. They are not ranked, and none paid to appear. Descriptions summarise each company’s own website. Ask each for a written, itemised quote.
- Offix Pte Ltd (SG Directory listing · website): office interior design and fit-out, including space planning, design-and-build, renovation and reinstatement.
- IDBox (S) Pte Ltd (SG Directory listing · website): design-and-build firm for corporate, retail and F&B interiors, with in-house carpentry and M&E teams.
- RH Design & Build (SG Directory listing · website): commercial interior design and fit-out for offices, retail shops, F&B outlets and showrooms, turnkey or build-only.
- Interea (SG Directory listing · website): design-and-build firm renovating offices, F&B outlets and retail spaces as well as homes.
What drives false ceiling cost
- Area and layout: the main factor. Small or broken-up rooms cost more per sqft than one open floor.
- Design: a flat ceiling is cheapest; step-downs, curves, coves and feature ceilings add framing and finishing time.
- Board type: standard gypsum is cheapest; acoustic, moisture-resistant and fire-rated boards cost more.
- Ceiling height: high ceilings need scaffolding and longer hangers.
- Services above: boxing around ducts, sprinklers and cable trays, and adding access panels.
- Lighting: cove strips, downlights and light points are often priced separately.
- Site conditions: after-hours work, lift access and debris removal in commercial buildings.
What is usually included, and what is not
A false ceiling quote usually covers the metal frame and hangers, the board, jointing and sanding, and often primer and paint. Check whether these are included:
- painting, and how many coats;
- cove lighting, LED strips, downlights and the electrical wiring to them;
- access panels for M&E maintenance;
- removal of an existing ceiling and disposal of the debris;
- cutting openings for aircon diffusers, sprinklers and smoke detectors, and coordination with those trades;
- post-work cleaning (see our post-renovation cleaning cost guide);
- GST, which may not be in the published price.
How to get an accurate quote
- Send the floor plan with areas, ceiling height and photos of the existing ceiling.
- Mark where you want lights, coves, L-boxes and access panels.
- For offices and shops, share building rules, work hours and any landlord fit-out guidelines.
- Ask for an itemised quote per sqft and per foot run, with board type and thickness stated.
- Compare two or three quotes for the same scope.
Red flags
- A per-sqft rate with no board type or thickness stated.
- Lighting, painting or access panels left off the quote and added later.
- No plan for how M&E contractors will reach valves and cables above the ceiling.
- A large deposit before materials arrive on site.
- Work started in a commercial building without the landlord’s fit-out approval.
False ceiling cost: FAQ
How much does a false ceiling cost in Singapore?
Published 2026 prices range from S$2.50 per sqft (a starting price for regular gypsum) to S$6–9 per sqft for installed plasterboard, and S$8–15 per sqft with cove lighting.
How much does an office acoustic ceiling cost?
Published prices start from S$9 per sqft at Ceiling Partition Co, and Fortified quotes S$12–18 per sqft for a 1,000 sqft acoustic ceiling, depending on the panel.
How much does it cost to remove a false ceiling in Singapore?
RenoContractor publishes S$140 per lot for a single-layer ceiling up to 150 sqft, then S$0.95 per extra sqft. Bellevill publishes S$4–7 per sqft for removal and S$5–9 per sqft for a suspended ceiling strip-out with M&E capping.
How much is an L-box?
From S$5 per foot run at Ceiling Partition Co. Nextech gives about S$18–45 per running foot depending on width and finishing.
Is lighting included in the false ceiling price?
Often not. Ask whether cove strips, downlights and wiring are included, because light points are usually electrical work priced separately.
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