At a Glance
You have moved into a 1980s home in Karrinyup or Willetton and the dated cove cornice does not match the modern renovation you have planned. Or you have finished a room extension in Joondalup and need new cornice to tie it all together. These are the two most common cornice jobs in Perth. Costs range from $150–$1,450 per job.
What's Included in the Price
- Supply of cornice in the chosen profile (standard cove, decorative, or polystyrene)
- Cutting, fitting, and fixing at the wall-ceiling junction
- Mitring all internal and external corners
- Filling, sanding, and finishing to a paint-ready surface per AS/NZS 2589 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 to the cost.
What Affects the Cost
- Profile type. Standard cove cornice is the most common in Perth and the most affordable. Larger or decorative profiles cost more per metre and take longer to cut and fit.
- Square-set conversion. Converting from cornice to square-set is popular in Perth's modern renovations. Despite looking simpler, it costs more in labour because the wall-ceiling junction needs Level 5 finishing.
- Number of rooms. Multiple rooms bring the per-metre cost down. A single room is a minimum-charge job.
- 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 require scaffolding.
- Access. Perth's single-storey homes and standard layouts make cornice work accessible. Upper-storey rooms in two-storey homes may require internal scaffolding for very 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 cornice market is more uniform than eastern capitals. The vast majority of Perth homes built from the 1970s onward use standard cove cornice in 55mm or 75mm profiles. Heritage ornate cornice work is uncommon because Perth has a much smaller stock of Victorian and Edwardian period homes than Melbourne, Sydney, or Adelaide.
The main cornice decisions for Perth homeowners are:
Replacing dated cornice. Homes from the 1980s and 1990s in suburbs like Scarborough, Karrinyup, Morley, Dianella, and Willetton often have cove cornice that has yellowed, cracked at the mitres, or simply does not suit a modern renovation. Replacing with fresh cove cornice is straightforward and cost-effective. Alternatively, converting to square-set gives a contemporary look.
New cornice in extensions. Room additions and granny flats across Perth's northern (Joondalup, Wanneroo) and southern (Baldivis, Rockingham) suburbs need cornice to match the existing home. If the original home has cove cornice, matching the same profile in the extension creates visual continuity.
Square-set in new builds. Perth's new builds, particularly in Alkimos, Yanchep, Piara Waters, and Byford, increasingly use square-set as the standard. Builders offer it as a premium upgrade over cove cornice. If square-set is your preference, it is worth getting it done during the build rather than converting later, because the framing alignment for square-set is easier to achieve during construction.
Perth has a smaller trade pool than eastern capitals, but cornice work is well within the skills of any competent plasterer. Lead times of one to two weeks are typical for standard cornice jobs.
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.
When hiring for cornice work:
- Ask for examples of completed cornice installations, particularly mitre quality at corners
- For square-set, confirm understanding of Level 5 finishing requirements
- Get a written quote specifying the profile, number of rooms, and whether removal of old cornice is included
- Check public liability insurance
- Ask for trade qualifications (Cert III in Plastering or equivalent)
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 these. A poor one rushes through and you see the result every time you look at the ceiling line.
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. Custom decorative profiles may exceed these ranges.