Drop Ceiling

weekender

I'll be visiting a home to give a price for a drop ceiling for their basement. I have never done one before but know the basics.
I was wondering what you guys are getting for that type of work. Price per square foot, and also what typical problems I might run into like the transition from the room ceiling to the stair ceiling.
Thanks

mdshunk

I don't know anything about the questions you asked, so I'll answer a different question that you didn't ask.

Resist the urge to install the plastic panels in the drop ceiling to let the existing fixtures "shine down through" and light the area. Not only does this provide poor lighting, it is reminiscent of every bad 1970's basement remodel. Use regular lay-in fluorescent troffers, recessed cans, or install regular boxes for regular ceiling lights with t-bar brackets. I'd highly suggest you pay an electrician for the 1/2 day's work to get the lighting nice if you can squeeze it in the budget. Just letting the existing keyless lampholders shine down through a plastic panel is really half-shod work.

JustaFramer

Head height could be a problem. Check your local code for requirements. Usually you want to be two steps downward for cleareance.

MinConst

Unless you have allot of headroom you might consider rocking the ceiling at the base of the stairway. If there is a transition between this level and the drop ceiling you can run the drop at an angle. This opens up a bit more head room between the transition.
Make sure you take into account anything hanging down lower than the joists. Take your time, plan it out and you will be fine.

__________________
Paul
Minichillo's Construction
Website
I will never leave you hanging!

weekender

Thanks guys for your responses. I was there today to get my measurements
for my estimate. It comes out to 1,200 sq ft of drop ceiling with 3 2'x2' columns in one of the rooms. He is going to add some needed headers for
the grid transitions.
I would appreciate if I can get an idea on estimating this job.
Thanks

Teetorbilt

I'm still chuckling over "it is reminiscent of every bad 1970's basement remodel. " Touche!

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Bob Kovacs

There's way too many variables to help you put a price to this work:

- Are you in New York City, or rural Arkansas? What's your hourly labor rate?
- Is the 1200 SF in one open space, or is it cut up into 12 areas at 100 SF each? Big difference in labor costs.
- Is the grid standard 15/16" grid, or 9/16" Fineline? Big price difference just in materials.
- What type of ceiling tile are you using? It can range from 0.15/SF to $4/SF just for material. Additionally, some of the "humidity resistant" tiles are much tougher to cut that standard tile.
- How high is the ceiling going to be, and how high is the fastening point above? Can you work from the floor, or do you need to use a rolling scaffold (notice I didn't mention a "ladder"...lol)?

Given all of those variables, the ceiling itself, exclusive of any drywall soffits, pipe chases, columns, etc., could range from $2.25/SF to $12/SF.

Bob

weekender

Thanks Bob
I am quoting a price just for the labor, and it is 4 basic separate rooms.
I am in New Jersey

Bob Kovacs

Well, that makes it a bit easier then- all you have to do is figure out how long it will take you, and multiply by your hourly rate (you do have an hourly rate including all of your overhead costs, right?), then add for profit.

To give you an idea on time, I did two rooms in my basement totalling just under 400 SF, and it was around 3 hours to get the grid in, and 3 more to drop the tile. That included cutting the edge tiles to drop down below the grid because they had tegular edges. Standard tile would have gone much quicker.

Bob

gche37

Bob,

How much $$ in materials did it cost you to complete the 400 sqft of drop in your basement?