Plaster Ceiling Price Guide for Kuala Lumpur (2026)

2026 plaster ceiling and partition price list

These are the rates from our price list dated 7 July 2026, the same numbers our online cost calculator uses. They cover new installation, measured on site.

Plain 9mm ceiling or 2′×4′ system: which rate applies?

The two base rates are for two different kinds of ceiling. A plain 9mm ceiling (RM3.50 per sq ft) is gypsum board fixed to a hidden frame, with the joints taped and skimmed so the ceiling reads as one smooth surface. It is what most homes use, and what L-boxes, troughs and curves are built from.

A 2′×4′ ceiling system (RM3.70 per sq ft) is a visible grid with lay-in panels. It is common in offices, clinics and shops because any panel can be lifted out to reach wiring, ducting and air-conditioning above.

Add-on prices

Most ceilings need a few extras on top of the base rate. These are the add-ons on the same price list:

• ✦L-box: RM13 per running ft. U-box: RM26 per running ft.
• ✦Light trough: RM15 per running ft. U-channel: RM13 per running ft.
• ✦Curve mould installation: RM40 per running ft.
• ✦18″ aluminium manhole (access panel): RM110 each.
• ✦Air-conditioner box: RM100 each. Opening air-conditioner holes: RM50 each.
• ✦Fan hook: RM45 each. Downlight hole: RM7 each.

What a typical job costs

Four examples worked out from the price list above. Your own figure depends on your measurements, which we confirm at the site visit.

• ✦Whole-home flat ceiling, 1,000 sq ft: 1,000 sq ft × RM3.50 = RM3,500. Add 60 running ft of L-box (60 × RM13 = RM780) and 12 downlight openings (12 × RM7 = RM84) for a total of about RM4,364.
• ✦Terrace house ground floor, 900 sq ft: 900 × RM3.50 = RM3,150, plus 70 running ft of L-box around the living and dining area (RM910), two air-conditioner boxes (RM200), one fan hook (RM45) and 15 downlight openings (RM105), for about RM4,410.
• ✦Office with a 2′×4′ ceiling system, 1,200 sq ft: 1,200 sq ft × RM3.70 = RM4,440, plus one 18″ aluminium manhole (RM110), for about RM4,550.
• ✦Partition wall for an extra bedroom, 12 ft long × 10 ft high (120 sq ft): double wall 120 × RM6 = RM720, or 120 × RM8.80 = RM1,056 with rockwool for better sound insulation.

What moves the final price

The per-square-foot rate is the starting point. These are the things that change the total:

• ✦Ceiling area: the RM3.50 plain-ceiling rate applies to jobs of 800 sq ft or more. Smaller jobs are quoted at the site visit.
• ✦Design details: L-box, U-box, light troughs and curved mouldings are priced per running foot on top of the base ceiling.
• ✦Ceiling height: the rates assume ceilings up to 10 ft. Higher ceilings need extra scaffolding and are quoted on site.
• ✦Site access: a landed home is quicker to work in than a condo that needs lift bookings, contractor registration and restricted working hours.

What isn’t on the price list

The rates cover the board, framing, jointing and a skim-and-prime finish ready for paint. These items are quoted separately at the site visit, so they never appear as a surprise later:

• ✦Removing an existing ceiling or wall before the new one goes in.
• ✦A full paint finish, beyond skim-and-prime.
• ✦Door or window openings in a partition wall.
• ✦Single-layer partition boarding (only double-wall partitions are on the list).
• ✦Repairs to existing ceilings, such as rectifying an old L-box or light trough.

How long it takes

A single room typically takes two to four working days. A full home renovation with several rooms usually runs seven to fourteen working days, depending on the design and site access. A residential partition wall is usually finished within three to six working days.

Condo work can take a little longer on the calendar because of management’s permitted renovation hours, which we plan around from the start.

Ways to keep the cost down

A few decisions make a real difference to the total without cutting quality:

• ✦Do all the ceilings in one job. The RM3.50 rate applies from 800 sq ft, so one whole-home job is better value than several small ones.
• ✦Put the feature where it counts. An L-box or curve over the living or dining area, with flat ceilings elsewhere, keeps the look for less.
• ✦Fix the lighting and air-conditioning layout before work starts, so openings are cut once instead of patched later.
• ✦Plan access panels from the start, so future repairs don’t mean cutting into a finished ceiling.

Getting an accurate quote

Use the cost calculator for a quick figure, then book a site visit. We measure the actual space, check beams, ducting and access, and give you an itemised quote built from the rates above. The visit and the quote are free; you only pay once you decide to go ahead.