How Much Does It Cost to Vault a Ceiling in 2025?

Average Cost to Vault a Ceiling

Cost Factors for Vaulting a Ceiling

The main cost factors for vaulted ceiling installations are the ceiling style, size, location, and the contractors you hire.

Ceiling Type

Vaulting an 11- to 12-foot ceiling in a 20-by-20-foot room costs between $18,000 and $25,000. The cost will not change dramatically if you have a drop, drywall, or flat ceiling because your roof type impacts the price the most.

A stick-framed roof makes vaulting easier for professionals. It’s much more expensive to vault your ceiling if you have a truss roof. These are pre-engineered to bear the weight of your home, and there isn’t much room for customization once installed. If you’d like to change your ceiling but don’t necessarily need to vault it, consider these options:

• Ceiling installation cost: $900–$2,330

• Drop ceiling installation cost: $1,020–$2,350

• Coffered ceiling installation cost: $25 per sq. ft.

• Drywall installation cost: $10–$20 per panel

Groin Vault Ceiling

At around $4,800 to $10,000, groin vault ceilings are less expensive than cathedral ceilings because they require less modification to the home's structure. You can plaster over a groin vault to make a double-arched domed ceiling or leave it open for a loftier and more rustic look.

Dome Ceiling

Dome ceilings—also known as double-barrel vaults or cross vaults—cost around $4,800 to $10,000. With two crossing barrel vaults and a relatively shallow design, dome ceilings are the least complicated vault to add to an existing structure. They don't require roof modifications and can be placed in just one area or the entire room to add vertical space.

Barrel Ceiling

Barrel ceilings feature overhead arches but are shallower than cathedral ceilings. Suitable for existing structures, barrel ceilings cost around $4,800 to $10,000. They're shallow enough not to require roof modification, although you'll lose some attic space. Like the groin vault, a barrel ceiling can be plastered over for a contemporary finish, and a rounded ceiling can be left open for a more traditional look.

Rib Vault Ceiling

Rib vault ceilings average $4,800 to $10,000. They don't require roof modifications, but they do intrude on attic space. Multiple individual arched beams form rib vault ceilings, so the design is more flexible and commonplace in rooms with an odd shape or size.

Cathedral Ceiling

Cathedral ceilings cost around $16,000 to $35,000. They are complex to build in existing structures and require extensive roof modifications, which is reflected in the comparatively high top-end cost range. Cathedral ceilings are angular and tend to have a dramatic appearance. Depending on your roof's configuration, you can leave the rafters exposed to maximize the effect. 

Size and Location

Raising a ceiling ranges between $50 and $75 per square foot, averaging $60 per square foot, not including the price of raising a roof. This upgrade usually appropriates unused attic space rather than raising a roof.

The location of the vaulted ceiling also factors into total costs. While vaulted or raised ceilings are popular in living rooms and foyers, they can add space to other areas in your home. Some areas, such as bathrooms or bedrooms, have varying square footage, influencing total vaulted ceiling costs. Spaces with pre-existing supportive beams are usually more straightforward and cost-effective for vault ceiling conversion than rooms along your home’s perimeter.

For example, it typically costs $18,000 to $25,000 to vault a living room ceiling, assuming a typical size between 300 and 400 square feet. The living room is a common room to vault because it's often used as a central area for family and social gatherings. Vaulting the living room ceiling makes the space feel larger, lighter, and more open.

In comparison, raising a basement ceiling involves digging into the ground or raising the entire building, resulting in a wide $10,000 to $90,000 cost range. Depending on the foundation, soil, and underground utility lines, excavating a basement costs $350 to $450 per linear foot. Costs increase from $15,000 to $125,000 if you have a larger project in mind or need to raise your attic’s ceiling and roof.

Labor

Labor represents about 75% of the cost to vault a ceiling. For example, a $35,000 project would have about $26,000 in labor costs. Vaulting a ceiling is complex and may require consulting with several different professionals. In most cases, the vaulted ceiling installation contractor you hire likewise handles hiring and subcontracting additional work, such as architects and drywallers.

Finishing choices may also influence costs. For example, plastering a ceiling costs more than drywall, and painting a ceiling can add between $1,200 and $2,600.

Here’s a look at the experts who can help you vault your ceiling and the cost to hire them.

Additional Vaulted Ceiling Cost Factors

The total cost of vaulting a ceiling depends on labor fees, required permits, the type of foundation, and the construction materials used in your home.

Permits

Building permits cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on your area’s regulations and modifications involved with your project. Your contractors can provide info on permit requirements. Some guide you through applications, while others obtain them and build the cost into project estimates.

Existing Home vs. New Construction

Vaulting a ceiling in new construction is generally more affordable than converting an existing home, particularly for cathedral ceilings or other complex styles. Vaulting a ceiling in a new construction costs around $16,000 to $21,000, including the roof framing price, plus an additional 5% to 20% to cover the modifications and finishing. 

Converting an existing home to a vaulted ceiling costs $18,000 to $35,000. The increased cost reflects added tasks, such as removing the existing ceiling, modifying rafters, and relocating the plumbing and wiring. Other variables like moving or removing chimneys or installing skylights may also contribute to higher costs.

Removing a Drop Ceiling

Removing a drop ceiling costs between $1 and $2 per square foot. The price depends on local labor rates, ceiling size, and disposal.

Ongoing Costs

There are other considerations to keep in mind before vaulting your ceiling. You'll pay more for heating because filling the new, larger space uses more energy. The new height may also limit accessibility and require periodic professional cleaning to maintain ceiling lights and fans.

Vaulted ceilings need specific ventilation to prevent mold growth. In addition to protecting your home’s structural integrity and preventing ceiling repairs, upgraded ventilation can improve heating and cooling efficiency. 

Does Vaulting a Ceiling Increase Home Value?

Vaulted ceilings offer space-enhancing advantages that may increase your home value. With a relatively high upfront investment, this renovation may not offer a relatively high return because it doesn’t necessarily add square footage or function to your home.

However, appraisers and buyers may note certain benefits. Vaulted ceilings create the illusion of more space and allow more light into your home. Paired with quality installation, adding natural light and perceived space results in a luxury feel that may appeal to potential buyers.

Budgeting for Vaulting a Ceiling

Vaulted ceilings can enhance your home’s overall appearance, but it’s a significant expense. Use these budgeting strategies to keep your costs in check:

• Get detailed estimates from multiple contractors to compare services and costs.

• Bundle projects like roofing upgrades, insulation replacement, or electrical rewiring to get possible discounts and save on costs.

• Invest in an energy-efficient HVAC system to offset increased heating and cooling demand.

• If possible, save this project for a new home construction rather than a conversion.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.