Raising the ceiling of a house makes a room feel larger, and it’s a design upgrade worth considering if you want to make a room feel larger when you can’t add space horizontally. While the average homeowner pays between $16,000 and $24,000 for a vertical expansion, it can also raise the value of their home by $19,200. Here’s a breakdown of the cost to raise a ceiling in a house: The cost to raise the ceiling height by 1 foot and raising the ceiling into the attic was $4,975.
Cost to Raise Ceiling House
It costs about $60 per square foot to raise a ceiling in your house, but this does not include the cost of raising the roof height. Raising a ceiling is a low-cost way to add living space to your home. Popular projects include vaulting a family room or living room ceiling or raising the roof of your foyer. Typically, this upgrade is accomplished by reclaiming unutilized attic space.
“The trend of 9-foot ceilings dramatically changed the way homeowners looked at interior spaces in the 1990s,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “We recently renovated a ranch house with 8-foot ceilings on the first floor, 10-foot ceilings on the second floor, and 9-foot ceilings on the third floor.”
If you have a larger project in mind, or if you need to raise the roof on your home, the cost will skyrocket. The cost to raise a roof ranges from $15,000 to $125,000 and beyond. If there is a major structural change, such as moving or removing a chimney, the cost of the work you want done may be prohibitively expensive.
Cost to Raise Ceiling Height
The cost to raise a ceiling house height will vary depending on the type of roof framing, the complexity of the job, the size of the home/rooms that require the ceiling raises, the contractor you hire, and your geographical location. As you can see, prices can vary greatly due to so many factors, but based on the quotes we researched and received on our website, the estimates tend to be in the $25 to $60+ per square foot range, and this price would include everything from start to finish.
Because there are so many variables, we strongly advise you to use HomeAdvisor.com’s free quote comparison tool. Simply describe your project using this tool, and locally licensed contractors will contact you for free with a quote for their services. This is an excellent way to obtain multiple quotes without having to conduct your own research.
According to one BiggerPockets.com member, he paid $7,000 to raise his ceiling and remove his trusses. A member on Angie’s List responded to this question by stating that you should expect quotes in the $8,000 to $10,000 range for just raising and reframing the roof, and in many cases, it can easily be twice this amount if the entire wall has to be lifted.
When they vaulted their living room ceiling, they showcased some great before-and-after pictures on HouseTweaking.com, and in the end, she talked about the costs of the entire project, stating it cost $5,600. This quote, however, did not include the demo, which they did on their own, as well as the insulation and drywall around the beams and affected walls.
How Much Does it Cost to Raise Ceiling House Height?
Increasing the ceiling height frequently necessitates not only the bait, but also new brackets, a new roof, and, eventually, a complete roof replacement. A typical new single roof can cost in price from $1,700 to $8,400.
How Much Does It Cost To Raise a Ceiling 1 Foot
The cost to raise a ceiling house typically costs $60 per 1 foot or between $50 and $75 per square foot. A raised ceiling project costs approximately $19,200 and can range from $16,000 to $24,000 and up. This figure is based on a 320-square-foot living room in a 2000-square-foot house.
Raising Ceiling Into Attic Cost
Raising a ceiling into your home’s attic cost about $60 per square foot. The type of roof you have is more important than whether or not you have an accessible attic. Raising the ceiling into the attic cost will have an impact on the structure and roof of your home. A local ceiling contractor can estimate the cost of your project.
How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Ceiling by 1 Square Foot?
Most homeowners pay around $60 per square foot to have their ceilings raised. The cost of this project ranges between $50 and $75 per square foot, depending on the type of home and location.
What Type of Raised Ceiling Can I Get on My Budget?
Do you want to know how big you can go when you raise your ceiling? Consider how much it would cost to have a show-stopping ceiling that floats to the heavens.
$20,000
If you’re willing to spend between $18,000 and $25,000, you’re in the market for a vaulted ceiling. The term “vaulted” refers to ceilings that are higher than 10 feet. It usually entails having your ceiling reach 11 to 13 feet in height.
$25,000
A cathedral ceiling is a good choice if you want a lot of height. A cathedral ceiling is one that is 13 feet or higher in the ceiling.
$50,000
There is a way to raise the ceiling without leveling the house if you want to give your basement more ceiling height. This upgrade, also known as “lowering the basement” by contractors, adds vertical height and costs between $50,000 and $90,000. The total cost of excavation ranges from $350 to $450 per linear foot, depending on the size of your basement.
$90,000
If you’re ready in raising the ceiling in your attic, cost up to $60 per square foot, for a total cost of $90,000 for a 1,500-square-foot attic. This high-ceiling project is the most expensive because it necessitates the modification of your roof structure.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise Your Own Ceiling?
Raising a ceiling is not a do-it-yourself project—one wrong move could result in the ceiling collapsing on you. It is critical to consult with a contractor to determine the viability of safely raising your ceiling based on the structure of your home.
Here’s a pro tip: If you want to save money on this project, there’s one DIY aspect you should consider doing on your own. Before raising a ceiling, it is frequently necessary to remove a drop ceiling. If they have the time, most homeowners can complete this task. However, because removing a drop ceiling isn’t typically a costly project, if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, it costs between $1 and $2 per square foot.
Cost Breakdown for Raising a Ceiling
When you have a ceiling raised or vaulted, you are primarily paying for time and expertise. Here’s a breakdown of the costs.
Engineer
A structural engineer plays an important role in determining the viability of your project. This is typically the first professional you’ll consult with when planning your project; expect to pay $500 for this consultation.
Architect
A project architect is a person who works behind the scenes to raise your ceiling to new heights. Your architect will charge you $5,300 for designing, planning, and supervising the project.
Demolition and Disposal of Materials
The old ceiling must be removed before the new one can be installed. The total cost of removing the old roof and disposing of the materials is around $4,000.
Roof Framing Reinforcement
The cost of ensuring the stability of your new ceiling and roof is approximately $4,500. This cost also includes the removal of ceiling joists.
Electrician
To account for the raised ceiling, an electrician will charge around $3,000 to rewire a home.
Insulation
The installation of insulation for your new ceiling will cost around $1,500.
Drywall
The average cost of drywall to cover a newly raised ceiling is around $4,000.
Painting
After you’ve installed your new ceiling, you’ll need to clean it up with a fresh coat of paint for a perfectly polished finish. Normally, this would cost $2,000.
Building Permit
Raising a ceiling is a project that, regardless of where you live, will almost certainly necessitate a permit. Permits for this type of project typically cost between $400 and $1,900.
Ceiling Fan
The new height of your ceiling is ideal for creating fresh airflow with the help of a ceiling fan. Consider this the icing on the cake of a new vaulted ceiling. Professional installation of a ceiling fan costs only $250.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Raising Your House’s Ceiling?
Type of Roof
What’s on top matters when it comes to determining how much it will cost to raise the ceiling of your house. If you have a stick-framed roof, you can expect some cost savings because this roof style provides better accessibility for professionals. Because of its pre-engineered design, a truss roof may increase the cost of this project because your contractor will have less room for customization.
Type of Wall
If the walls that support the ceiling you want to raise are load-bearing, the project cost will need to be increased to account for the new structural components.
Home’s Age
The cost to raise a ceiling house can be influenced by the time period in which your home was built. Because many popcorn ceilings from the 1940s to the 1970s contained asbestos, you may need to consider asbestos remediation if your home was built before the 1980s. The national average cost for asbestos removal, according to HomeAdvisor, is $2,021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a regular ceiling be vaulted?
Yes, a regular ceiling can be vaulted. A ceiling professional near you can determine the type of roof you have – stick-framed or truss – and provide a cost estimate based on that.
Roof trusses typically cost between $7,200 and $12,200 if you’re building a home and want them installed.
How much does it cost to install a new ceiling?
A new ceiling installation typically costs around $1,600, or between $900 and $2,300. Cost considerations include:
- Room Dimensions
- Ceiling design
- Costs of local labor and materials
Is there a way to give a raised ceiling look without the cost?
Many homeowners can remodel their ceilings with a “tray ceiling,” which resembles an inverted tray. These are most commonly seen in dining rooms and bedrooms, but they can be used in any room.
How much does it cost to raise the roof on a house?
Raising a house’s roof can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $125,000 or more. Cost considerations include:
- Planning a roofing project, including permits
- Existing material removal
- Working in plumbing or electricity
- Work on the exterior
Related Articles:
