Compare Drywall Installation Cost & Prices

Our goal in this drywall installation price guide is to inform readers in key areas:

Drywall is used in residences and commercial buildings to create interior wall and ceiling surfaces. It is typically fastened with drywall screws to the wood studs that form the wall structure.

Also known as wallboard, sheetrock or gypsum board, drywall has largely replaced traditional lath and plaster surfaces because drywall is easier and less costly to both install and repair.

Drywall is formed from a mixture of gypsum, which is a soft sulfate mineral, water and added materials that increase strength. Flame-resisting or mildew-retarding elements are included in some types of drywall.

Most often, the gypsum plaster is sandwiched between thick paper to create a smooth surface that is easy to paint or cover with wallpaper. The final step in the production is to cut the drywall into sheets of various sizes including 4x8, 4x9, 4x10, 4x12, 4x14 and 4x16.

Drywall is made in various thicknesses. In the United States, these include 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 5/8. Each has its own purpose, and weve created a complete Guide to Drywall Types and Prices that covers this topic in detail. There, youll learn more about:

There are several choices for drywall thickness, and each one has specific applications.

There are two distinct phases of drywall installation; hanging the sheets of drywall and finishing the screw holes and the joints where drywall sheets abut. In many jobs, the drywall hanging and the drywall finishing are done by separate crews since the skill sets required for each are quite different.

Here are drywall installation cost factors with examples of drywall prices for hanging and finishing the drywall. Keep in mind that drywall repair prices are quite different because of how time-consuming repairs are. See our guide Drywall Repair Prices and Costs for complete information on repairs.

The type of drywall you choose is the most significant factor in cost for this phase of installation.

Keep in mind that these estimates are based on the amount of wall space, not floor space. For example, a room 20x15 has 300 square feet of floor space. However, how much wall space it has is determined by the height of the walls. Heres an example using standard 8 walls in a room that is 20x15:

Table 1: How toalculate the square footage of your room for drywall installation

Now, here are the ranges for drywall installation price estimates youll receive from local contractors. These costs include the drywall material, the fasteners required to hang it and the cost of labor.

Table 2:Estimating drywall hangingcost by thickness and squarefootage, including materials and labor

The longer the sheet of drywall is, the less it will cost per square foot for the material, hanging it and for finishing it. Make sure your drywall contractor is using the longest sheets possible in order to reduce costs and the number of seams.

Finishing drywall is a time-consuming process and requires quite a bit of skill to produce a professional appearance. For these reasons, drywall finishing costs more than hanging the drywall.

The process includes using paper or mesh tape to cover the joints where sheets abut, covering the tape with joint compound (a.k.a. drywall mud) and then sanding the compound once it is dry. Typically, three coats of mud are used, and each coat requires about 24 hours drying time before sanding can be started. An overview of drywall finishing is included below.

Table 3:Estimating drywallfinishing cost by square footage

When you add up the totals for hanging drywall and finishing it for most types of material, your total drywall installation costs should be in this range:

Table 4:Drywall installationcost by square footage, including material, hanging and finishing

Drywall that includes an advanced sound barrier will cost as much as $4.00 per square foot.

Weve covered the basics of the costs of hanging drywall and drywall finishing prices, but the characteristics of some jobs increase the drywall installation estimates you receive from contractors. Youll probably get higher drywall estimates if any of these situations apply to you.

Removing old material: If your project is remodeling existing space rather than new construction, the old drywall may need to be removed first. This is a labor-intensive and messy job. There are disposal fees too. You can save money by doing the work yourself and paying for disposal only. Here are drywall removal costs you can expect to pay depending on who does the work:

Due to the high cost of removing old drywall, many homeowners tackle this part of the job themselves. It requires nothing more than a hammer and perhaps a small saw, and a dust mask and eye protection should be worn. Roll-off containers (dumpsters) are often rented for discarding the material. Turn off the electricity in the area youre working as a safety measure.

Need for scaffolding: If you have a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, or very high walls, its likely that the drywall installer and finishers will need scaffolding for the work. This can add $0.40 to $0.75 per square foot to those areas where height is a factor.

Large number of corners: Homes with complex designs are often very beautiful, but the architecture does increase the cost of construction. If your home has more than eight corners, including bow windows, breakfast nooks or entryways, expect to pay more per square foot for drywall installation.

Working around cabinets and countertops: In remodeling jobs, if youre not replacing cabinets, countertops, built-in bookshelves and similar structures, the drywall hanging and finishing estimates will be higher.

Smooth Ceilings:Have you noticed that most drywalled ceilings are textured? You might think that this would cost more than smooth, but in reality, texturing a ceiling costs less. The reason is there is much more labor involved in applying the coats of mud and sanding necessary to create a smooth ceiling. A textured ceiling is done in one coat after joints are taped.

A crew of four people can hang 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of drywall per day depending on the difficulty of the work. One or two people can complete the mudding and sanding job in three days:

An alternate method is to use self-adhesive tape to cover the joints. The tape is more expensive than standard seam paper, but sometimes just two coats of compound, rather than three, are required. Talk with your drywall contractor about the best approach to your project.

Even if you plan to hire a drywall contractor to do the work, youll benefit from knowing the basics of installation and the tools required. This information will help you discuss the work with drywall pros as you get written estimates for drywall installation. If you decide to do the work yourself, this brief overview will provide a head start on your DIY education.

Tool list for hanging drywall:

The materials required for hanging drywall include the right drywall for your application and drywall screws. The most common size screws are 1 . Some drywall hangers ensure an extra-sturdy hold by applying construction glue to the studs before covering them with drywall.

Hanging Drywall: Here is a brief overview of the process of hanging drywall. This isnt meant to be a step-by-step drywall guide, but it will give you an idea of what the work entails. As a result, youll be better able to decide whether you want to tackle the work yourself or hire a contractor.

Tool and materials list for finishing drywall:

Finishing Drywall: The job of adding tape and compound and then sanding it to make joints disappear might seem easy, but it takes a lot of experience to have the work look professional. Thats what even most DIY enthusiasts hire a professional drywall finisher. However, if you want to gain experience, heres a brief overview of the steps to finishing drywall that will help you understand whats involved.

The following table provides a list of user submitted drywall installation costs from around the U.S. Help us build this list by providing your recent price quote through our contact form here.

Weve gathered a list of helpful resourcesto provide you with additional information as you plan your drywall installation project.

Estimating Drywall Labor Costs: This article offers help for understanding how drywall jobs are estimated by contractors. It also discusses why drywall repair costs more per square foot than hanging fresh drywall.

How Much Does Drywall Cost?: If you want to know average prices for sheets of drywall in its various sizes, this page will help.

Drywall Sizes and Thicknesses A Concise Guide: This guide covers the options for the thickness and sizes of drywall available. It will help you select the right drywall for your application. The site includes a good overview of types including standard, fire-resistant and moisture-resistant drywall.

What is Paperless Drywall?: The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors offers a good discussion of paperless drywall what it is and where it is best used.

Removing Old Drywall: Removing old drywall is an expensive project, as this article points out. Thats why many homeowners seek to cut costs by doing this part of the job themselves.

How Do You Hang Drywall A DIY Guide: A helpful article on the Home Depot site gives a solid overview of how to hang drywall.

How Do You Finish Drywall A DIY Guide: If youre planning to finish the drywall yourself, this 18-step guide from Popular Mechanics will help you get professional results.

Installing Drywall In A Wet Room A Guide: If you are installing green board drywall, i.e. drywall that is manufactured to resist moisture, this guide from a contractor will help you achieve the water-resistant, mold-resistant results you want.

Mudding and Taping Drywall: Watch a professional as he mixes drywall compound and applies mud and tape to drywall joints and corners.

Gathering Your Tools What Youll Need for Drywalling: Heres a video from a drywall manufacturer that shows you the tools required for drywall finishing and gives a demonstration of the complete finishing process.

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Compare Drywall Installation Cost & Prices