A new gypsum ceiling, hidden lighting, or a crack to fix? Before you agree with anyone, read this: what to check first, the difference between designs, and the questions that keep the ceiling firm and crack-free.
Simple things to check from the floor. Don't climb a tall ladder or open up the ceiling yourself.
A sign of a leak from above. The leak must be fixed before any gypsum work.
Length × width gives you the ceiling area, roughly.
Simple or multi-level? Save photos you like from real homes.
Where do you want lights? The wiring is an electrician's job; agree it at the start.
⚠️ Ceiling sagging or leaning? Don't stand under it or touch it, and call a gypsum fitter quickly.
Only the fitter can say for sure, but this helps you understand what they tell you.
Usually the tape and filler at the joints weren't done well, or the frame moves. The joint needs redoing.
A sign of a water leak from above (AC, bathroom or roof). Fix the leak before replacing the board.
The metal frame isn't fixed well, or the boards have soaked up water. Don't wait; part of it could fall.
Usually the transformer or the strip itself. That's for an electrician; make sure there's an access hatch to reach it.
The screws weren't covered properly with filler. Filler, sanding and paint fix it.
Cutting gypsum makes a lot of dust. Agree cleaning and covering the furniture before they start.
More levels and decoration means a higher price.
One level, the simplest and cheapest.
Levels and decoration.
A light strip inside the ceiling.
Any leak above the ceiling (AC or bathroom) quickly ruins gypsum. Fix it as soon as you see a stain.
Don't hang a heavy chandelier from the gypsum alone. It must be fixed to the concrete ceiling.
Run the bathroom extractor so steam doesn't damage the ceiling.
Use moisture-resistant (green) boards in bathrooms and kitchens.
Ask before any work starts. A good fitter won't mind.
Measure the ceiling together, and get the area and price per m² in writing.
Standard, moisture-resistant or fire-resistant? And how thick?
Ask about the frame and the spacing of the metal. A weak frame is the main cause of cracks and sagging.
Does the price include filler, sanding and painting, or is painting a separate job?
The lighting wiring is for an electrician. Agree it, and leave an access hatch.
Look at real photos of past work, not design pictures from the internet.
One sign on its own doesn't prove anything, but take care if you see them.
The stain will come back and ruin the new gypsum.
A weak frame is the main cause of cracks and sagging.
It must be fixed to the concrete ceiling.
Without an electrician. Ask who will do it beforehand.
Most fitters charge per square metre including boards and fitting. Use these to spot a quote that's way off, not as fixed prices. The price depends on the design, the type of board and the ceiling height.
| Service | Rough price |
|---|---|
| Flat single-level ceiling (fitted) | SAR 40 – 110 per m² |
| Two-level ceiling | SAR 120 – 180 per m² |
| Ceiling with hidden lighting | SAR 150 – 250 per m² |
| Boards only, not fitted | SAR 20 – 55 per m² |
💡 In bathrooms and kitchens use moisture-resistant (green) boards. They cost a bit more, but normal boards are ruined by steam.
📐 More levels and decoration means a higher price. A simple ceiling with good lighting looks smart for less.
A rough guide from 5 sources in Riyadh (October 2026), mostly price pages of gypsum fitters and shops. The final price is agreed between you and the fitter. Laqeeni doesn't set prices or take commission.
A normal room with a simple ceiling usually takes two to three days, including filler and paint. Complex designs take longer.
Yes, if the frame and fitting are right and the roof above is insulated. Most problems come from leaks, not heat.
No. Laqeeni is a directory that connects you with the fitter directly. You agree and pay between you.
Last updated: October 2026
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