What's Included in the Price
- Supply of cornice in the chosen profile (standard cove, decorative stepped, or polystyrene/polyurethane)
- Cutting, fitting, and fixing at the wall-ceiling junction with cornice cement and mechanical fasteners
- Mitring all internal and external corners
- Filling, sanding, and finishing to a paint-ready surface per AS/NZS 2589:2017 Gypsum Linings
Painting after installation is a separate scope. Ceiling roses are priced per piece if required. If existing cornice needs removing before new cornice or square-set goes in, the removal and junction repair adds $3–$6 per linear metre.
Material costs for standard cove are modest: a 55mm CSR Gyprock cove cornice is around $9 per 3m length (~$3/m), 75mm around $18 per 3.6m length (~$5/m), and a 20kg bag of Gyprock Cornice Cement (~$55) covers 60–80 linear metres. Labour is the majority of the cost. For decorative stepped profiles like the Gyprock Symphony (~$38 per 4.8m, ~$8/m) or Canto (~$42 per 4.8m, ~$9/m), both supply and installation rates increase.
What Affects the Cost
- Profile type. Standard 55mm or 75mm cove cornice (supply $3–$6/m, install $5–$10/m) is the most common in Perth. Decorative stepped profiles like Gyprock Canto or Knauf New York ($8–$10/m supply) are growing in popularity for feature rooms without going full ornate.
- Square-set conversion. Converting from cornice to square-set is popular in Perth's modern renovations. Despite looking simpler, it costs more in labour ($12–$20/m) because the wall-ceiling junction needs Level 5 finishing under AS/NZS 2589.
- Number of rooms. Multiple rooms bring the per-metre cost down. A single room is a minimum-charge job ($250–$400).
- Old cornice removal. Pulling off existing cornice usually damages the junction. Budget for repair and prep before new cornice goes on.
- Ceiling height. Most Perth homes have standard 2.4m ceilings, making cornice work straightforward. Raked or cathedral ceilings in some newer designs (common in the southern growth corridors) require scaffolding at $100–$300 per day.
- Access. Perth's predominantly single-storey homes make cornice work accessible. Upper-storey rooms in two-storey homes may require internal scaffolding for high or angled ceilings.
Standard cove cornice in one room of a modern home with no removal work sits toward $150. Square-set conversion or decorative cornice across multiple rooms, with old cornice removed and junction repairs, pushes toward $1,450.
Perth-Specific Considerations
Perth's housing stock is younger and more uniform than the eastern capitals, which simplifies cornice choices but creates its own set of common scenarios.
Replacing dated cornice in 1980s and 1990s homes (Scarborough, Karrinyup, Morley, Dianella, Willetton, Bull Creek). These homes typically have 55mm or 75mm cove cornice that has yellowed, cracked at the mitres, or simply does not suit a modern renovation. Replacing with fresh Gyprock cove in the same profile is the most straightforward and cost-effective option. For homeowners wanting a more contemporary look, converting to square-set or upgrading to a decorative stepped profile like the Gyprock Canto gives the room a noticeable lift without specialist costs.
New cornice in extensions (Joondalup, Wanneroo, Baldivis, Rockingham, Mandurah). Room additions and granny flats need cornice to match the existing home. If the original home has cove cornice, take a sample or photo to your plasterer. Perth's relatively uniform cornice market means matching standard profiles is straightforward. For a seamless result, the new cornice should be the same profile and size as the original, and the existing cornice in adjoining rooms may need fresh paint to avoid a colour mismatch.
Square-set in new builds (Alkimos, Yanchep, Piara Waters, Byford, Baldivis). Perth's new builds increasingly use square-set or shadowline as the standard ceiling finish. Builders typically offer it as a premium upgrade over cove cornice. Getting square-set during the build is more cost-effective than converting later, because the framing alignment needed for a clean right angle at the wall-ceiling junction is easier to achieve during construction. Converting from cove to square-set after the build means removing the cornice, repairing the junction, and applying a Level 5 finish, roughly doubling the cost compared to getting it done during construction.
Perth has a smaller plastering trade pool than eastern capitals, so lead times of one to two weeks are typical for standard cornice jobs. For larger whole-house projects, allow three to four weeks for booking.
Hiring a Licensed Plasterer in WA
In Western Australia, plastering falls under general builder registration administered by Building and Energy (DEMIRS). There is no separate plastering-specific registration category. Registration is only required for work that is part of a larger project valued over $20,000 or requiring a building permit.
Worth checking:
- Examples of completed cornice installations, particularly mitre quality at internal and external corners
- For square-set or shadowline, confirmed understanding of Level 5 finishing requirements under AS/NZS 2589
- A written quote specifying the profile type and size, number of rooms, linear metres, and whether removal of old cornice is included
- Public liability insurance
- Trade qualifications (Cert III in Wall and Ceiling Lining, or equivalent)
- You can search for registered builders on the Building and Energy licence search
Cornice work is a finishing trade. The quality is in the details: particularly the mitres and the smoothness of the joins. A good plasterer takes pride in clean, tight corners.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on current plasterer rates in the Perth metropolitan area, adjusted for property age and typical cornice profiles in WA. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential cornice installation including supply, fitting, and finishing to a paint-ready surface. Custom decorative profiles may exceed these ranges.